Drawing inspiration from the beloved Mediterranean, Giorgio Armani was truly blown away by the masterfulness of the rock-strewn landscape of Pantelleriato create Acqua Di Giò in 1996, a now classic, men’s fragrance. This summer, Acqua di Giò Essenza is welcomed to the Armani fragrance family.
1) Launched in 1996, Acqua Di Giò is now a legend in the fragrance field. How do you explain this timeless international success?
The Acqua Di Giò revolution is built on the idea that a fresh scent can also be sensual. This now-classic men’s fragrance was the forerunner of a new trend that was rapidly confirmed in the market. In addition, Acqua Di Giò distinguished itself by using a new synthesis: Hedione, whose jasmine/aquatic tones led to a whole new expression of universal, iconic and virtually unisex freshness.
2) Is Acqua Di Giò Essenza an olfactory reinterpretation of the legendary Acqua Di Giò?
In olfactory terms, Acqua Di Giò Essenza is a new take on the Acqua Di Giò codes with the addition of greater luminosity. This fragrance brings us even closer to pleasure and sensations and pushes the limits of freshness further.
3) What direction did Mr. Armani provide?
Mr. Armani wanted a new take on Acqua Di Giò achieved by working on the freshness angle with new, more luminous and up-to-the-minute ingredients.
4) How would you define the fragrance of Acqua Di Giò Essenza?
This woody-aquatic-fresh fragrance is a more modern and innovative, as well as a more intense take on Acqua Di Giò Eau de Toilette, a luminous and textured evocation of freshness.
To interpret this intense freshness, I worked around Cascalone and Paradisone, two new captive molecules from Firmenich. The warm, entrancing base note of Ambrox is highlighted and harmonizes with the powerful “heart of Patchouli” to create a contemporary, sensual woody-ambery aura.
5) What are the ingredients that distinguish this fragrance? The ones that you purposely set aside or readjusted and used again?
I wanted to separate out all ingredients that might give the note a somber, ordinary side. I wanted to bring out the quality of the fine raw ingredients and stay with the idea of extreme, luminous, elegant freshness.
The citrusy notes (Bergamot Essence, Grapefruit) remind us of Giorgio Armani’s Mediterranean origins and give the top note a vibrant luminous effect.
The Calone in Acqua Di Giò Eau de Toilette is replaced by Cascalone in Acqua Di Giò Essenza, where it provides accents that are more aquatic-spring/mineral water and less sea water.
6) What olfactory image of water does the Acqua Di Giò Essenza evoke?
The water in a lagoon or waterfall, with that luminous and transparent aspect. The sensation of extreme, slightly mineral freshness, like a splash of cool water.
7) What notes express the “aquatic” facets?
I built the aquatic facets around Cascalone and Paradisone.
The Calone molecule discovered in 1966 and used in Acqua Di Giò Eau de Toilette was replaced in the Eau de Parfum by Cascalone, a new captive molecule from Firmenich. This new captive molecule produced by Firmenich research is perceived by perfumers as a super, more powerful and persistent Calone. It provides that note of pure, gushing, fresh water that is so characteristic of Acqua Di Giò Essenza.
As for Paradisone, it embodies the latest, even purer generation of Hedione. This molecule is known for its aquatic facets and freshness with delicate jasmine accents. A captive molecule enriched with vibrant floral tones, enhances the Jasmine Absolute and wraps the fragrance in a delicate, petal-like freshness.
8) You said you gave the fragrance greater texture. How did you do that?
I gave it greater texture by using woody notes such as Atlas Cedar, Haitian Vetiver and Patchouli. These fine ingredients give the fragrance elegance and personality.
9) Can you describe the ingredients that provide the woody note?
Atlas Cedar is a soft woody note with subtle accents of leather and camphor, as well as moss notes and a balsamic touch.
Haitian Vetiver is a warm, earthly, botanical, smoky note.
Patchouli exudes a woody, balmy, sweet note with herbal, earthy and smoky tones.
Ambrox is woody-dry with facets of ambergris, violet and tobacco. This sweet, slightly animalic note diffuses a warm, elegant, powerful scent.
10) Can you share an anecdote about the creation of this fragrance?
The challenge I took on in composing Acqua Di Giò Essenza was to create a new vision of masculine freshness. Acqua Di Giò was the forerunner, so I wanted to give it something new and never before experienced on the market.
To do that, I worked with two new Firmenich captive molecules, Cascalone and Paradisone, which enabled me to interpret the notion of fresh water under different facets.
In addition, I used a new type of Patchouli, the “heart of Patchouli”, produced by a special distillation method, that allowed me to obtain a more vibrant, less earthy note.
11) Is there a special way to apply Acqua Di Giò Essenza?
Yes. It should be overdosed. Repeated as much as you like to renew that sensation of extremely luminous freshness. The skin quivers with the fresh top note and vibrates with its woody, sensual aura.
12) What do women like so much in this men’s fragrance?
Its great aquatic freshness and delicate woody sensuality make men extremely elegant and irresistible to women.