Certainly a lot can be found in a name. Take for instance the world renowned Florentine Perfumer, Lorenzo Villoresi’s creation, Iperborea. Mentioned by Herodotus who cited even earlier sources, including Homer, the Hyperboreans were a people said to inhabit a utopic land beyond Boreas, the North Wind—a land thusly referred to as Hyperborea (or Iperborea).
With a dreamy blend of exotic aromatic woods, fruits, and a bouquet of flowers like lily-of-the-valley and magnolia among others, it’s only natural that Villoresi would reserve this bit of liquid perfection, Iperborea, for his Fantasy Fragrance collection—a scent that conveys all the mystery and wonder one might associate with its mythic namesake.
You may recall my encounter with some massive magnolia blossoms during a visit to the “Jardines de Sabatini” in Madrid? (I’ve buried my face in one of them at left)—well the remembrance of that intoxicating scent has been haunting me ever since. And so, as you might imagine, I was absolutely thrilled to come across Iperborea, with its delicious touches of magnolia—and what is more, I recently had the pleasure of meeting the Master Perfumer, Villoresi himself, at a super chic dinner held in his honor. A brilliant, prolific, fascinating man, it wasn’t terribly surprising to learn that Villoresi has an academic background in Ancient philosophy, and is quite well versed in psychology—knowledge he has most adeptly conscripted to the service of his craft!
Do make a splash of Iperborea a part of your most perfect world. I have!
