Luca working at Atelier Fragranze Milano (photo Luca Maffei©) Luca has won two Art and Olfaction Awards, 2016 for Juls et Mad NEA, and Acca Kappa Black Pepper and Sandalwood in 2015

Much has been written about multi award winning Luca Maffei,  and his lineage in Italian perfumery. His life coloured and constructed like light thrown through the prism of perfume from a young age, to his present days as a multi award winning perfumer, Luca Maffei is a prolific and driven genius. He is one of those artists  that create over and over again, seemingly able to aesthetically extend their reach into the very essence of the medium they work in. Achieving harmonic is first nature to them.

Luca Maffei and Creative Director Rania Naim photo courtesy of Luca Maffei

Rosso Epicureo (2017) Fath’s Essentials–  Rosso Epicureo is all understated presence, beautifully attired and radiating femininity, graceful and full of power. That moment when all eyes are averted and conversations stall, as she enters poised, exuding confidence.The promenade on Parisian streets and the pause in the doorway, prior to entrance. All eyes, all attentions in the moment of held breath, captured by this ‘sensualis incarnate’. Kir Royal Accord, Blackcurrant excited by Sichuan pepper in a vibrant and youthful energy. Each step within the crowded room in slow motion, dress linen inching its caress around curves, sweeping whispers of fine fabric on gentrified floor, is a classic elegance. The tuberose at its core is tight fitting, hour glass intimacy, tense and divulging, accessorized refinement with Damask Rose and florals so undeniably feminine.

Jacques Fath ball gown, 1951

A lingering tender drape across marble perfect shoulders. True to Jacques Fath’s Couture heritage and legacy, Luca Maffei has crafted the feeling of Haute Couture as an intimate embrace on skin. Moulded tissue in earthy silkiness continues for hours, Patchouli enveloped in a shawl of gauze amber and creamy vanilla. An unadulterated distillation of an era, Rosso Epicureo waves a begloved slender wrist at a time of alluring feminine presence. In the wearing I feel elevated and statuesque. Notes: Kir Royal Accord, Bitter Orange, Bergamot, Plum, Tuberose Absolute, Rosa Damascena, Orange Blossom, Jasmin, Ylang Ylang, Patchouli, Amber, Vanilla, Muscone Laevo

Creative Director and Perfume Gabriellla Chieffo and Luca Maffei photo courtesy Luca Maffei

 Ragu, (2015) Gabriella Chieffo: A hearth speaks volumes, a Home gathers in. Homecoming, when all those familiar sights come into view, residing in eyes, yet more so opening the dossiers of the heart. Returning to the safe havens, Ragu is unmistakably Italian, Luca Maffei and Gabriella Chieffo place Ragu firmly in the Italian kitchen, the arena of the Italian Woman, it is commanding in its spicy, rich, warm, inviting welcome.  Embraced by Tuscan slopes, the scents of warmed stones, wind stirred cypress and cedar, and the herbal effusiveness, heated spice concoction welded with an ambrosial saffron, conjures the convivial atmosphere.

 Gabriella Photo courtesy of Gabriella Chieffo

Firmly steeped in the tradition of Italian nourishment, Ragu just like its namesake, of fresh tomato and steeped herbs, simmers for hours on the skin, it is strong and unassailable, yet with a constancy of warmth, Italian Mama style. Leather, musk, cumin and vanilla, call in the gathering of days and memories, nestled in the arms of contentment, like the foraged armfuls of herbs and citrus adorning this sanctuary of La Belle Vita. Even after sleeping it lingers in definite consistency, as Home.

Notes: Orange, Bergamot, Pink Pepper, Black Pepper, Cloves, Elemi, Cardamom, Saffron,  Leather, Cedar, Cashmere Wood, Patchouli, Cypriol Oil or Nagamotha, Musk, Cumin and Vanilla.

Creative Director and Perfumer Gian Luca Perris and Luca Maffei photo Luca Maffei©

Cedro di Diamante (2018) Perris Monte Carlo: Focused on the Calabrian Cedro di Diamante citrus, this is a wholly unique burst of citric green ebullience, a sparkling rendition that is bright and effervescent, intense and utterly delicious. High on a Calabrian hillside, the artist-ready, tumbled yellow fruit in terracotta bowls, a zestful citrus feast, a veritable Bacchanalia of Cedro, Lime, Lemon and Verbena laid out under a Pergola as heliacal light merges with a turquoise sea, dipping into the horizon. Insects of evening infusing the air with the ensemble of heated climes.

Citrus Fruits: by Bartolomeo Bimbi formerly preserved in the Villa of the Medici family in Poggio a Caiano, in Prato.   (Photo by George Tatge for Alinari/Seat Archive/Alinari Archives) 

A spritz of ginger, cardamom and pepper revives in the twilight hour, escorting into a satiated dusk, with a beautifully constructed Iris, Musk and Oakmoss, which leaves one pleasure-filled vanquished on scattered cushions. Cedro di Diamante is Luca Maffei’s modern portal to the Hesperides gardens and true to the Ancient Romans considerations of the rich, abundant status of citrus. Notes: Cedar Capua, Lime, Lemon, Verbena CO2, ​Baies Rose CO2, Ginger Fresh, Cardamom, Sichuan Pepper,  – Iris, Oakmoss, Musk

– Danu Seith – Fyr,  Senior Contributor with contributions from Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief

Opinions my own. Samples received with thanks from Fath, Gabriella Chieffo and Perris Monte Carlo at Esxence, Milan 2018

Fath’s Essentials Rosso Epicureo, Gabriella Chieffa Ragu, and Perris Monte Carlo Cedro di Diamante

Thanks to the generosity of all the brands we have a 50 ml  of Rosso Epicureo-Jacques Fath, one bottle of Ragu-Gabriella Chieffo and one bottle of Cedro di Diamante-Gian Luca Perris, Perris Monte Carlo for registered readers Worldwide (be sure to register or your comment will not count). To be eligible, tell us what appeals to you about Luca Maffei and his creations, which one you are drawn to and wish to win and where you live.  There are three winners. Draw closes 3/12/2019

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