THE LANGUAGE OF FLOWERS

Santa Maria Novella Perfumery

My love of perfume and the magic it brings to my life was first experienced on a new york buying trip. I walked into the hotel room that I was sharing with my assistant and was overwhelmed with a delightful fragrance. I asked her, "what is the fragrance you are wearing" she replied that she had none. The bouquet permeated so intensely throughout the room, yet she could not detect the scent.

The next day I had an appointment at the Santa Maria Novella perfumery to inquire about importing their products for my boutique. As I was testing the fragrances, it was like a lightning bolt. This is it, Melograno!

The mysterious fragrance I was searching for!

The salesperson presented a history of the perfume and the perfumery. Santa Maria Novella, was established by the Dominican order of monks in 1221. It was made famous mainly by Catherine de Medici and the Queen of France in the 16th century. Santa Maria Novella then was purchased by the Stephani family in 1866, which coincidently was my great-grandmother's maiden name.

Could her spirit be guiding me to discover this fragrance? I now wear it in her honor daily.