Beautiful fragrance for the body and
home can lift your spirits and enhance your well-being. One of oldest artisan
makers still makes wonderful perfumes favoured by the rich and famous and
stylish, worldwide.
Officinal
Profumo – Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella is one of the world's oldest
pharmacies. It was founded in Florence in 1221 by the Dominican Friars; they
started making herbal remedies and potions to use in the monastery. Soon their
reputation became world renowned and sponsored by the Grand Duke of Tuscany,
the pharmacy opened to the public in 1612.
Many of Santa
Maria Novella’s wonderful products have become a part of history. The first
“Eau de Cologne” was created in the 1500’s for Catherine de Medici. This was
called “Water of the Queen” and featured citrus and bergamot scented water. Its
popularity in France lasted into the 18th century.
Giovanni
Feminis, took it with him to Cologne and began to make it there, renaming it
Acqua di Cologne or Eau de Cologne as a tribute to the city where it was
produced. Today the same formula is still used and is called Santa Maria
Novella. It is the signature fragrance and the most sought after of all of
their scents.
Many of the
oldest products from Santa Maria Novella are still popular. The Almond Paste is
an excellent rich cream made from almond butter. The Rose Water can be used on
the face for washing and removing make-up. The Pot-Pourri is still hand-made
and left to ferment in large terracotta jars. The Milky Soaps, scented with
their own fragrances are made with whole milk to protect and soften skin.
Scents use: Honeysuckle, Rose, Iris, Patchouli, Jasmine, Violet and Lily of the
Valley.
The Pharmacy
is run by Eugenio Alfandery, who has kept the tradition and legacy of the brand
whilst updating the old methods and procedures. All new products keep to the
Santa Maria Novella philosophy of quality and precision, mixing old world
formulations and expertise with modern mastery of current technology. Local ingredients
are used whenever possible and the products are never tested on animals. Each
batch is hand-made in Florence and supervised according to age old recipes and
artisanal methods.
For details view www.santamarianovellausa.com
Sara x
