Venice and Valmont

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The last time I was in Venice, the water level rose precariously leaving me with no choice but to stay on the balcony of my hotel. It was a disquieting experience to watch parts of the city disappear under the sea and yet, it was sublime in the way that nature can be. Venice is the ultimate oeuvre d’art—and the ultimate example of human folly, a city created on land stolen from the Adriatic. Its splendor and vulnerability explain why throughout its history Venice has served as an inspiration for writers, painters and architects. Sophie and Didier Guillon of the Swiss skincare house Valmont are among the latest creators to be enchanted by La Serenissima.

Guillons launched Le Storie Veneziane with five perfumes in 2018, and newest fragrance collections, Collezione Privata and Palazzo Nobile, likewise draw inspiration from Venice, its palaces, gardens, and colors.

The three eaux de parfum of Collezione Privata explore contrasts—between lemony magnolia and sweet patchouli in Jazzy Twist, red rose and golden saffron in Private Mind and white jasmine and dark moss in Lady Code. Aromatics like Egyptian jasmine, Turkish rose, saffron and pepper hint at Venice’s legendary role as Europe’s spice trader and a meeting point between East and West.  Hence, the perfumes are plush and sumptuous.

Palazzo Nobile, for its part, offers five bright and sheer fragrances. They are gauzy silks to Collezione Privata’s warm cashmeres. Sea Bliss takes cues from the Adriatic Sea, and its salty accord touched by musk glitters like sunshine on the lagoon. Bright Poppy and Blooming Ballet capture the delicate texture of flower petals—and the verdant scents of Venetian hidden gardens. Continuing the theme of freshness, Secret Bamboo and Satin Musk interpret the pastel tints of Venice through green and powdery notes. They are not particularly complex, however, and the themes are rather predictable.

A Venetian tale, however, would be incomplete without the city’s most controversial and intriguing character, Giacomo Casanova. Casanova 2161, Valmont’s fragrance inspired by the 18th-century adventurer and infamous lover has an explosive opening tempered by smoky vetiver and velvety woods. It’s my favorite fragrance from the Venice-inspired collection. It counts on the juxtaposition of cool iris and smoky juniper berries to capture hearts. Unlike its namesake, however, it won’t break them.

Have you tried any of Valmont’s perfumes?

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14 Comments

  • joan ramirez: I adored Venice and often worry about the water levels rising as it is an international treasure. I like the scent association and of course, who can resist Casanova. Your posts are so interesting and informative. Keep them coming. You inspire me with my historical suspense that has a touch of scent. May 8, 2023 at 11:09am Reply

    • Victoria: I also worry. It’s such a beautiful city. May 8, 2023 at 2:30pm Reply

  • Sandra: I have never heard of this brand. Is there anything from their skin line worth checking out?

    These perfumes are making me day dream of Venice. I had my very first kiss there, many many many moons ago 🙂 May 8, 2023 at 12:19pm Reply

    • Victoria: I haven’t tried their skincare, only the perfumes.
      What a nice memory of Venice. So perfectly romantic. May 8, 2023 at 2:31pm Reply

  • Vandana Hiremath: your articles evoke my walks in Venice. Regards, Vandana May 8, 2023 at 1:06pm Reply

  • Aurora: I was not familiar with Valmont, and very grateful for the reviews. Over the past two years I’ve acquired several I Profumi de Firenze that I came to love, the house is generous with freebies and it was thrilling to get those Italian parcels. May 8, 2023 at 2:31pm Reply

    • Victoria: Which perfume do you like from that line? May 8, 2023 at 2:32pm Reply

      • Aurora: The outstanding one for me is Spezie de’ Medici, I bought the ‘concentrato’, a sort of extrait, 10ml, it smells just like a pomander and I also purchased in EDP Agrumi Di Sicilia, very refreshing, I wore it last summer with pleasure, and Vaniglia del Madagascar, a creamy vanilla, very comforting in winter. They sent a free sachet for linens and a very good lip balm, full size. May 9, 2023 at 11:30am Reply

        • Sandra: I just looked at the website. They have more than just perfume! Very cool May 10, 2023 at 6:57am Reply

          • Aurora: Hello Sandra, their website is very appealing, the lip balm is very good. May 10, 2023 at 2:39pm Reply

        • Victoria: How lovely! It sounds so appealing that I am on their website right now looking for it. May 12, 2023 at 4:08am Reply

  • MaureenC: I was lucky enough to live there as a student back in the early 1980s. I shall definitely check out this collection. May 8, 2023 at 4:42pm Reply

    • Victoria: How lucky! I’ve visited many times, but I have never stayed longer than a week or two. May 9, 2023 at 9:51am Reply

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