If the goal of design is to create objects that address the needs of our everyday lives, it perhaps no surprise that a global period of being homebound has spurred many design brands to create home fragrances. Lee Broom has recently launched candles, Poltrona Frau collaborated with Acqua di Parma on diffusers, and now, in one of the most whimsical iterations of the genre, Ginori 1735 is launching its own home fragrance collection.
The famed Florentine brand began creating porcelain luxury goods in the 18th century, eventually coming under the artistic direction of Gio Ponti in the 20th century, and collaborating with the likes of Luke Edward Hall and Virgil Abloh’s Off-White in the 21st.
For the home fragrance collection, the brand has enlisted the talents of Italian designer Luca Nichetto, who looked back into the brand’s history to inspire its newest product range.
Ginori 1735, Luca Nichetto, and the court of Catherine de Medici
‘When you are working with a heritage company like [Ginori] I think it’s very important to go deep into the roots of the company,’ says Nichetto. ‘So, the first thing I did was research, and looking what kind of connection there was with Tuscany, the region where Ginori is based. And then I discovered the story of Catherine de Medici moving from Florence to France and bringing [with her] a [perfumer], since at that in that time in France there was no culture of fragrances.’
For this reason, Nichetto’s collection is entitled ‘La Compagnia di Caterina’, with all items – including scented candles, candle snuffers, incense burners, and room diffusers – inspired by the various members of Catherine’s court. Products include L’Amazzone (The Amazon), L’Amante (The Lover), Il Letterato (The Scholar), Il Seguace (The Companion), Il Favorito (The Favourite), Il Frate (The Friar), La Dama (The Lady), and L’Addetto al Fuoco (The Fire Master).
‘Later I went to check the archive of Ginori and I saw these faces [that are a signature of the brand’s designs]. I immediately thought about this connection between [those faces and] the characters that were part of Catherine’s court,’ says Nichetto.
The objects are available in three fragrances: Orange Renaissance, a rich blend of bergamot, Tuscan cypress, and musk; Black Stone, an oriental scent that combines nutmeg, cloves, patchouli, and amber; and Purple Hill, a light floral of mandarin, lavender, and white flowers.
Speaking about the collaboration, the Ginori team says: ‘To develop our home fragrances, we were interested in taking a different route, getting a designer out of his comfort zone in order to maximise his creativity in an unfamiliar field. Experimenting and daring, in line with the tradition of our company.’
As with previous Ginori collaborations, this one succeeds in its aim. §