The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Enzo Galardi created Notturno Fiorentino in 2010 as part of Le Voluttuose collection, a trio of fragrances dedicated to the Bois 1920 woman. The name says it directly: this is Florence at night. Galardi built the composition around contrast, fresh citrus opening, intense floral heart, and a warm vanilla base that lingers without overwhelming. The bergamot and black pepper that open the scent deliver immediate brightness and a spice that feels crisp rather than sharp. At its heart, Turkish rose takes center stage, but it does not stand alone, the addition of blackcurrant keeps it grounded and real, while Egyptian jasmine adds an earthier dimension that pulls the floral notes away from anything delicate or metaphorical.
The rose-blackcurrant pairing is what sets Notturno Fiorentino apart from the typical floral. Blackcurrant adds a tartness that keeps the Turkish rose from becoming ornamental, it reads as actual flower, not metaphor. The Egyptian jasmine does the same thing in the heart, grounding what could be delicate in something earthier and more alive. At the base, the combination of vanilla and tonka bean creates warmth that unfolds slowly as the top notes fade.
The evolution
The opening hits immediately: black pepper's spice meets the citrus brightness of Calabrian bergamot, a combination that reads as crisp rather than clean. The Turkish rose arrives first, then the blackcurrant adds its tart counterpoint, and jasmine anchors both in something richer and more grounded. As the top notes soften, the floral heart becomes more pronounced, with the blackcurrant adding fruitiness that prevents the rose from becoming too precious. The drydown shifts slowly into vanilla and tonka bean, with white cedarwood appearing as the volume turns down. What remains on skin is a close, warm trace: powdery, musky, and distinctly sweet without being heavy. On fabric, the vanilla outlasts everything else, lingering as a soft, comforting presence that can be detected hours after application.
Cultural impact
Notturno Fiorentino, launched in 2010 as part of the Le Voluttuose collection, positioned Bois 1920 within discussions of floral-forward niche compositions. Enzo Galardi built this fragrance around Turkish rose, grounding it with blackcurrant fruitiness and warm vanilla-tonka drydown. The composition represents a deliberate exploration of how rose can be handled in contemporary perfumery, moving away from ornamental treatments toward something more grounded and alive.
