Katrina Rosales
Acqua di Parma is an Italian fragrance brand founded in 1916 in Parma, Italy, by Carlo Magnani. The brand has since become synonymous with luxury and glamour, with a range of fragrances that evoke a sense of timelessness and elegance. With a focus on citrus and herbal notes, Acqua di Parma's fragrances are mostly unisex, offering a fresh and sophisticated scent that has endured for over a century. The brand's first fragrance, Colonia, remains one of its most iconic and beloved scents, with its sharp citrus notes and herbal undertones.
Today, Acqua di Parma offers a wide range of fragrances, including the Blu Mediterraneo collection, the Signatures of the Sun collection, and the Le Nobili line, each celebrating the Italian way of life and the brand's heritage. With its complex formulas and elegant packaging, Acqua di Parma has successfully competed with giant European fashion houses, becoming a go-to brand for those seeking a sophisticated and timeless fragrance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Founding year | 1916 |
| Founder | Carlo Magnani |
| First fragrance | Colonia |
| Latest fragrance | Essenza di Colonia |
| Number of collections | 5 |
| Number of scents | Over 30 |
| Unisex fragrances | Colonia, Colonia Oud, Colonia Assoluta, Colonia Futura, Fico di Amalfi, Mandorlo di Sicilia, Peonia Nobile EDP, Bergamotto di Calabria, and more |
| Female fragrances | Peonia Nobile EDP |
| Male fragrances | Essenza di Colonia, Club, Cipresso di Toscana, and more |
| Notable ingredients | Citrus, bergamot, lemon, orange, lavender, rosemary, Bulgarian rose, vetiver, sandalwood, patchouli, ylang-ylang, vanilla, musk, anise, peach, jasmine, oakmoss, cardamom, paprika, neroli |
| Notable features | Timeless, elegant, sophisticated, fresh, lightweight, aromatic, natural, realistic, complex, premium |
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What You'll Learn
Colonia: the original Acqua di Parma fragrance
Colonia, the original Acqua di Parma fragrance, was first unveiled in 1916 in Parma, Italy. Over a century later, it is still considered one of the most sophisticated fragrances on the market. The founder, Carlo Magnani, set out to capture the essence of his surroundings in a bottle, and he succeeded in creating a timeless and elegant scent that became synonymous with luxury and glamour.
Colonia is a citrusy and earthy fragrance with notes of lemon, bergamot, and patchouli. It is a lightweight and aromatic scent that is suitable for all genders, defying its masculine origins. The fragrance is versatile and can be worn for any occasion, from dinner dates to work meetings. It has a fresh and genderless appeal that makes it a favourite among fragrance enthusiasts.
The heart of the fragrance delves into more herbal territory, with notes of lavender, verbena, and rosemary, while Bulgarian rose enhances its overall freshness. The base notes of Colonia are subtle yet uplifting, with vetiver, sandalwood, and patchouli adding depth and warmth to the scent.
The Colonia line has since expanded with variations on the original theme, such as Colonia Assoluta, which explores exotic spices, and Essenza di Colonia, a stripped-down and simplified version released in 2010. Colonia has also inspired other fragrances in the Acqua di Parma collection, such as Colonia Oud, which combines citrus notes with deep oud for a refined and warm scent.
The iconic fragrance has stood the test of time, with a rich history that includes being misted onto men's suits by Italian tailors in the 1930s and becoming a celebrity favourite. Colonia's timeless appeal and versatile scent make it a classic choice for those seeking a fresh and elegant fragrance.
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Colonia Assoluta: a warm-weather expansion on Colonia
Colonia Assoluta is a flanker to the original Acqua di Parma fragrance, which was first released in 1916 and became a celebrity favourite, loved by A-listers such as Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn. The original fragrance is a citrus and light woods scent, with a crisp, bright and clean aroma.
Colonia Assoluta, launched in 2003, is a modern take on the original, with a more sour and bitter citrus blast, featuring bitter orange, bergamot, sweet orange and lemon verbena as its top notes. The middle notes are jasmine, vetiver, ylang-ylang, cedar, cardamom, pink pepper and paprika, and the base notes are patchouli, oakmoss, white musk and resins. The jasmine that provided the backbone of the original Colonia was removed from Colonia Assoluta and replaced with amplified, clean musks, giving it a more modern and refreshing feel. The floral notes are streamlined and sleek, and the fragrance has a longer lifespan than a typical eau de cologne.
While the original Colonia is a pure citrus and light woods scent, Colonia Assoluta has more of an edge to it, with a stronger emphasis on musk and florals. It performs more consistently than the original and has unusual tenacity for its dilution. The combination of florals and citrus gives it a traditional feel, while the warm clarity of the base notes is reminiscent of fragrances from the era in which it was made.
Colonia Assoluta is best suited to warm weather, but it also works well as an evening fragrance for those who love a traditional eau de cologne opening but don't like the dry woods and herbs finish that they usually have.
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Essenza di Colonia: a minimalist, clean scent
Acqua di Parma is an Italian lifestyle brand, founded in 1916 in the city of Parma, Italy. The brand has become synonymous with luxury, glamour, and extravagance. Its fragrances are known for their timelessness and elegance.
One of the brand's most popular fragrances for men is Essenza di Colonia. This cologne was released in 2010 and is designed to recall the essence of Acqua di Parma's original 1916 fragrance formulation. It is a minimalist, clean, and fresh scent, ideal for men who appreciate simplicity.
Essenza di Colonia opens with laundry-fresh neroli and citrus notes, creating a bright and clean first impression. The heart of the fragrance is equally bright and clean, with more citrus backed up by jasmine and vetiver. After 4 to 6 hours of wear, the cologne's base is revealed, with patchouli and oakmoss combining with sage and lily of the valley to create a richly textured finish.
The longevity of this cologne is impressive, with a moderate intensity that makes it suitable for daytime wear. Essenza di Colonia is a fantastic choice for men who want a minimalist and clean scent that is also long-lasting and excellent value.
In addition to Essenza di Colonia, Acqua di Parma offers a wide range of other popular fragrances. The brand's first fragrance, Colonia, remains a classic and compelling choice, with its citrusy and earthy scent. Other notable fragrances include Colonia Assoluta, which expands on the citrus and herb tones of Colonia with exotic spices, and Mandorlo di Sicilia, a sweet and powdery cologne from the Blu Mediterraneo collection.
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Mandorlo di Sicilia: a sweet, powdery cologne
Mandorlo di Sicilia is a delightful fragrance from Acqua di Parma's Blu Mediterraneo collection. Launched in 1999, it is a sweet, powdery, and fruity oriental floral fragrance for both women and men. The composition is a harmonious blend of sweetness and sophistication, making it a truly enchanting fragrance experience.
The top notes of this Eau De Toilette bring the touches of Sicily with the sweet freshness of Italian bergamot, orange blossom, and star anise. The fragrance then evolves to reveal a creamy blend of heart notes comprising green almond and ylang-ylang, reminiscent of Sicilian marzipan. The base notes of cedarwood, Madagascar vanilla, and white musk add a comforting, lasting warmth that lingers beautifully on the skin.
The fragrance is presented in the iconic Acqua di Parma bottle with Art Deco influences. The glass is pure, luxurious, and thick, tinged with a deep blue that evokes the transparency of the sea. The longevity of the scent is impressive, easily lasting throughout the day, while the sillage is moderate, leaving a gentle, memorable trail.
Mandorlo di Sicilia is available as 60ml and 120ml Eau de Toilette sprays. The price is $72 for a 5oz bottle (150ml) at Jomashop, a 65% discount off the retail price.
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Colonia Oud: a refined blend of citrus and oud
Acqua di Parma is an Italian lifestyle brand, founded in 1916 in the city of Parma. The brand is known for its timeless, luxurious, and elegant fragrances, which are mostly unisex.
One of their notable fragrances is Colonia Oud, a refined blend of citrus and oud. Launched in 2012, Colonia Oud is a unique and elegant creation born from the innovative union of two contrasting themes: the fresh, vibrant notes of Colonia, and the warm, deep notes of Agarwood (oud). The result is a charismatic and intensely masculine fragrance with a refined and sophisticated scent.
The top notes of Colonia Oud feature a burst of Calabrian bergamot and Italian orange, providing a refreshing brightness. These citrus notes are followed by the heart notes of Haitian Amyris Oil and Russian Coriander, adding a spicy touch. The base notes of the fragrance include cedarwood, Indonesian patchouli, and sandalwood, creating a warm and silky leather accord. The combination of these elements results in a well-balanced and harmonious scent.
Colonia Oud by Acqua di Parma is an oriental woody fragrance for men, offering a clean, fresh, and spicy scent with a soft and almost undetectable oud presence. The fragrance epitomises the combination of classic Italian perfumery with contemporary western oud, making it a modern yet timeless addition to the brand's collection.
Overall, Colonia Oud is a sophisticated and refined blend of citrus and oud, offering a unique and elegant fragrance experience that embodies the luxury and elegance associated with the Acqua di Parma brand.
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Frequently asked questions
Essenza di Colonia is a popular choice for men who appreciate minimalism and a clean, fresh scent. It has excellent longevity and only moderate intensity.
Peonia Nobile EDP is an official fragrance for women, with notes of geranium, Turkish rose, and fresh freesia.
Fico di Amalfi is a juicy fig-themed scent from the Blu Mediterraneo collection. It is a warm-weather fragrance, perfect for the poolside, the beach, vacations, and the office.
Colonia, the brand's first fragrance, is a classic citrusy, earthy scent with notes of lemon, bergamot, and patchouli.
