Every scent tells a story, and everyone experiences it in their own way. For some, for example, the rich aroma of leather is reminiscent of the exclusivity of perfect handmade shoes; for others, it evokes the memory of a classic classic car or the quiet serenity of a stylish office. At Profumoir, the art of perfumery becomes a deep connection between scent, memory and emotions by creating bespoke perfumes together with the customer that could not be more individual and personal and underline an advanced sense of style and something special.

As Profumoir customers of several years, we are already familiar with their detailed and emotional craftsmanship. In fact, we've had the opportunity to create a custom perfume before. But during our visit to Florence, on the occasion of the preparations for Pitti Uomo, we decided to once again experience the magic of a custom-made perfume, this time as a team fragrance created together.

First impressions

As soon as we entered the shop in Via di S. Niccolò, we were greeted both elegantly and warmly. As always, the room immediately captivated us with its high-quality, mystical design, which creates an atmosphere that gently seduces you and reminds you of the special evening hours — perhaps because we often wear our stronger, more sophisticated scents at this time.

After a brief exploration of the newly curated fragrance collection, we dived into the treasured shop talk with perfume specialist Saeedeh. She introduced us to some of the distinctive scents that shape the essence of Profumoir creations before we started our very fragrant team trip.

The Silent Signature of a Gentleman

For a true gentleman, a fragrance is more than just a pleasant smell — it is an extension of his presence, his personality and his overall effect. The right perfume can radiate self-confidence, refinement and individuality and leave a lasting impression. It is a special form of signature, a way to make yourself known without words and to be remembered. In any case, an essential part of a sophisticated wardrobe.

The studio

Before we started, we were invited to visit the studio, which is just a few meters down the street. This beautiful world was home to the factory where the perfumes are made, as well as a truly special apartment for rent for guests, which reflected the brand's dedication to combining meticulous craftsmanship with a touch of sophisticated elegance. By the way, the accommodation price includes the creation of a perfume. This glimpse behind the scenes deepened our appreciation for the artistic work in one of our favorite places in Florence.

The Fragrance Creation

Back in the shop, one of us took a seat at the perfume organ — an artfully arranged table, stocked with a variety of perfume bottles Each bottle was identical in design but unique in scent, which created an almost hypnotic effect. The bottles were precisely arranged and numbered to ensure neutrality and to avoid prejudices against fragrances when named openly. The uniformity of the bottles created a fascinating texture, almost like a harmonious composition of possibilities — an ingenious method that focused our attention entirely on the scents, free from preconceived notions.

Saeedeh, who has Persian roots and lives in Italy, explained the structure of the collection to us in her elegant yet approachable way: Each number appeared twice, once in black to represent a single scent, and once in red to mark the same note with additional subtle nuances. She explained that scents often evoke memories and emotions, and that the numbering of the bottles should prevent us from being led too early by influencing associations and thinking only with our noses.

We began to test the scents one by one while she made a well-considered selection for us after a detailed discussion. She selected bottles that seemed to match the ideas we had discussed earlier about our wishes for the fragrance. She pointed out to us to smell each bottle only once without coming back to it directly, as repeated sniffing could distort perception and evoke memories instead of focusing on the scent itself. Each fragrance was divided into one of the three categories: yes, no, or maybe.

The composition

Perfumes consist of three clearly distinguishable levels: top note, middle note and base note. The top note, often characterized by fresh and light scents such as citrus fruits or floral nuances, leaves the first impression but evaporates quickly. As soon as the scent sets, the heart notes emerge and give it depth and character through floral, fruity or spicy elements. Finally, the base notes — rich, long-lasting components such as woods, resins and musk — develop which anchor the scent and leave a lasting memory.

To neutralize our noses between scents, we were offered coffee beans, which effectively extinguished remaining aromas. We also went outside again and again with Saeedeh. This allowed us to experience and evaluate new fragrance rounds with a clear and unbiased view.

In several sorting rounds, we gradually refined our selection. Before the last round, we had opted for 11 scents — a slightly higher but appropriate composition, as our perfumer told us. She explained how important it was to combine enough notes to create complexity without overloading the final scent.

During the last selection rounds, she gave us even more room to make decisions ourselves, but stayed close by to provide support when needed. Their elegant and discreet form of service has become so rare today and is worth an experience in itself. After we had completed our final selection, she reviewed it with us and explained why the grades selected were in good harmony. Fortunately, there were no conflicts between grades - work with professionals for once ;-)

The next step was actually mixing. With skilful care, she combined the selected notes and adjusted the proportions precisely. After the initial blend, she suggested adding a pinch of bergamot as a top note to accentuate the freshness. We agreed — the result was a scent that delighted us all.

In order to evaluate and experience the results so far, she applied a small amount of the perfume to our hands and recommended that we get some fresh air before we try it. This allowed us to fully perceive the true essence of perfume. The fragrance perfectly reflected our common olfactory preferences and therefore our team taste.

After the Fragrance had been finalized in the individual quantities with minor further adjustments, she bottled it for us and let us choose the genuine marble cap. Together, we wrote the name on the label, which she carefully stuck to the bottle, creating an emotionally perfect product under wonderful guidance. Finally, the perfume was beautifully packaged, which rounded off the entire experience in a special and luxurious way.

With our custom-made fragrance in hand, we left Profumoir more than satisfied and had a deep appreciation for how much thought and creativity goes into the art of perfumery in this place. A compliment to Daniele and Sarah's experience design under wonderful influence and implementation by Saeedeh. The process was not just creating a fragrance, but creating a memory — a personal story that belongs only to us but was too beautiful not to share the experience here with our readers as friends. Every time I smell this scent, I'll be transported back to that moment in Florence, sitting in the bespoke perfumery, surrounded by particular elegance and warmth. This fragrance will keep you reminded of this incredible experience.

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