The process of fragrance/perfume making is close to invisible from the outside, I thought it was worth pulling back the curtain a little, not to explain the mechanics, but to share the natural ingredients that keep showing up in my work, the ones I reach for again and again, and why. Because the why is really the whole story.

For some it means a small batch. For some it means a bottle touched by human hands rather than a machine. Those things are fine. But they are not the point. The point is whether the person making the fragrance has something to say, and whether they have done the slow, unglamorous work of figuring out what that is before they start reaching for materials.

In celebration of niche perfumery and Pitti Fragranze international expo, source adage fragrances hosted an olfactory event at the new W Florence hotel. The evening centered around the brand’s alluring aétai eau de parfum inspiring the DJ set, cocktails and a scent installation to introduce the fragrance and the niche perfume brand to those attending Florence’s annual event.

The fragrance world is a larger universe in the end and there are still many bright stars putting a light to what is beautiful in perfumery — interesting, creative work being done with quality ingredients and with a distinct point of view. That’s my definition of “niche”. We have our favorites.

You hear a lot about “aquatic fragrances” this time of year but what does that actually mean?
It’s the height of the summer and those most fortunate who have access to the seaside, ocean, lake (or even a kiddy pool) can get a good whiff of cool, watery scents. Whether they’re briny or soft, aquatic notes are varied but are equally employed to create many modern perfumes.

In the occasion of the latest edition of Pitti Uomo men’s fashion shows in Florence, we’ve created a new series of evocative perfume campaign images entitled, “WHO ARE YOU WEARING?” with a debut reception at Flow Store on Wednesday June 14th, 2023

When we arrived in Italy last spring we were so overwhelmed by the countless local botanicals that it inspired us to start this Scent Journal. One of the early entries was of Irises. The Iris Palida, native to the Tuscan hills surrounding Florence and legendary perfumery ingredient, grows spontaneously since before recorded history, eventually becoming the symbol of the Italian city. Now, we’ve visited a historic grower of the famed iris to learn about its cultivation and place in perfumery.

A new sweet, soft scent sweeps across the Tuscan hills as chilly spring morphs towards warmer temps. Acacia trees, or more correctly, Robinia, grow spontaneously and abundant here. Their elegant flowers make for a graceful entrance for the more dramatically flamboyant blossoms that will soon take center stage. The conical clusters of off-white flowers dance gracefully in the sea breeze and, as they mature, land to create a fragrant petal ground cover.

Italian radio interview with Christopher Draghi, co-founder of source adage fragrances. Christopher talks to Story Time about source adage, the fragrances, and the move from New York to Italy.

Puffy, muppet-like yellow pompoms, covering tall trees with its feather shaped leaves, swaying in the coastal breeze coaxes us out of winter slumber. There’s nothing frivolous about the fragrance they emit. No matter how whimsical their appearance, the scent is very sophisticated and a precious perfume ingredient.