Dubai, UAE, January 21, 2016: 

INGREDIENT COLLECTION. THE OLFACTORY JOURNEY OF COLONIA EXPLORES NEW DESTINATIONS

Like the truest of classics, Colonia continues to evolve, while retaining its distinctive character. Keeping up with modern times, Acqua di Parma’s iconic perfume continues to explore new territories and olfactory cultures to discover rare and unusual ingredients – inspiring essences through which it renews itself at each step, while preserving that typical Italian style that makes it so unique. The result is a collection of fragrances creating an ever-new and surprising olfactory story, with new and precious inspirations adding to the character of Colonia. Ingredient Collection: Colonia Oud, Colonia Leather and, now, an intriguing new story. From its journey through the Middle East, Colonia draws the rich sensory footprint of Agarwood oil that brings to life the sensuous, mysterious notes of Colonia Oud – a fragrance combining the symbolic essence of the richest Arabian perfume-making traditions with the freshness of classic Italian Colonia. However, a passionate and painstaking exploration can unveil genuine treasures even closer to home, such as beautiful Tuscany, the source of inspiration for Colonia Leather, a composition that captures and combines the scent of leather with the citrus notes of Colonia. Its olfactory accord speaks of craft workshops, where objects and accessories that convey a feeling of the Tuscan roots and tradition come to life in the deep scent of leather. An unconventional fragrance evoking craft, style, and elegance. An intriguing journey runs across time, as well as space, and Colonia is now digging into a remote past, into the primeval history of perfumes, and thus lands in Venice, in the wealth of its elegant aristocracy, to explore other worlds and other cultures, while expanding the horizons of present times. Please welcome Colonia Ambra.

TRAVELLING ALONG THE SILK ROAD

From Venice through Damascus, Bukhara, and Samarkand – also known as the Rome of the East – to boundless China, and then far-away Madagascar, mysterious India, and the fabulous Moluccan Islands. A region busy with trade caravans, rich in language and its mix of cultures. A journey through time with Marco Polo, along the intriguing routes of the Silk Road. Alongside one of the greatest Western travelers to explore lands and cities rich of spices and textiles, languages and music styles, sciences and religions. At the court of the Chinese emperor Kublai Khan, surrounded by millennia-old inventions and secrets, Marco Polo came to know unfamiliar essences, such as rare ambergris, which Chinese practitioners used in their pharmacopoeia. A substance that the Venetian explorer called ambrum and took back on his long journey home, alongside an enormous wealth of memories and stories. Venetian master perfume-makers, charmed by the warm and intense scent of this natural essence, added it in tiny amounts – due to its high value – to precious, exquisite fragrances intended for Venetian aristocrats.

COLONIA AMBRA. A CONTEMPORARY PROJECTION OF AN ELEGANT AND COSMOPOLITAN GENTLEMAN

Perfume-making is a subtle art packed with secrets. One of these is ambergris. An extremely rare ingredient and an essential component of the most exquisite fragrances, ambergris is characterized by peculiar marine notes, originating from the action of the ocean and of the wind, together lulling it for many years before it is deposited on remote beaches. Colonia Ambra is an unprecedented interpretation of this rare essence, skilfully combined with the typical fresh citrus notes of Colonia. A fragrance that tells a fascinating story with a modern sensory approach, a unique trademark of style for a man who is passionate about travel and the exploration of culture, tied to the past yet projected into modern times. A pleasant new entry that speaks to his sophisticated taste. His elegance is far from stereotypical, his favourite fragrance is Colonia Ambra.

COLONIA AMBRA. A PRECIOUS COMPOSITE FRAGRANCE WITH A CONTEMPORARY NOTE
An original and elegant fragrance born from the unprecedented combination of two strongly assertive olfactory themes – the citrus notes of Colonia blended with the deep and seductive notes of ambergris. The emotion of a journey that is about to start, with a top that promptly unveils the unique freshness of Colonia deriving from a well-balanced combination of orange oil, bergamot, and petit grain. There follows a warm heart of notes that come from remote lands. The woody accents of nagarmotha and cedar wood are blended with the delicate, yet vibrant notes of rosewood. The heart closes on the earthy and musky notes of patchouli that perfectly announce the main ingredient of the fragrance – ambergris. Here Colonia Ambra develops into a surprising base, a true first, with the introduction of ambergris tincture, a rare and precious ingredient whose intense sensual notes, enhanced by sandalwood and warmed up by soft vanilla accents, unveil the unique personality of this precious Eau de Cologne concentrée.

THE SECRETS OF AMBERGRIS

Ambergris is a natural ingredient generated by marine mammals, which floats for years and years across the oceans until it ends up on sea shores in solid crystals. This utterly spontaneous generation process makes it extremely rare and invaluable. The most precious varieties float on sea water for over twenty years. Ambergris is found on the shores of the Baltic Sea, Normandy, and England, as well as of Madagascar and Japan. Ambergris was first reported in 1000 A.D. in Africa. At that time it was exported as a luxury item with gold and other precious items. Well known for its therapeutic properties and power as an aphrodisiac, it was used in ancient times as an incense or a tincture for medical preparations. In the Middle Ages it was stored in gold apple-shaped jars. In the West and the East it is an extremely rare and precious traditional high-perfumery ingredient. Master perfume-makers are fond of its peculiar salty, musky, wet earth notes, by which it is sought out as a seductive and intense component of the most exquisite fragrances.

COLOUR AND DESIGN. THE TASTE OF A MINIMALIST

The iconic Art Deco bottle characterizes the collection that originates from the journeys undertaken by Colonia. Sober and exquisite colour codes valorize the masculine glamour of the fragrances. The tobacco notes of the extra-pure glass bottle and cap are brightened by the bronze hues on the label. Each and every detail points to its being part of the Colonia Universe. Colonia Ambra is offered in 2 sizes – the classic 100ml bottle and the luxurious 180ml version. Tobacco hues and a minimal design also characterize the case, hand-coated with precious paper, exuding the finest Italian craftsmanship. A rich and subdued note comes from the bronze satin inner lining.