The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Thermae Imperiali was launched in 2024 by Floridia Parfum, with Giovanni Festa composing its unisex profile. Its name points toward imperial thermal baths, an ancient setting associated with marble, water and ritual cleansing. Cardamom and Gallic rose make an arresting entrance, pairing aromatic spice with the floral lift of rose. As the fragrance develops, cedar, tonka bean, Mysore sandalwood and labdanum create a warm, architectural heart, with dry woods, plush sweetness and resinous depth moving together. Frankincense, ambrette and musk complete the composition, adding a cool incense-like edge, a soft musky facet and a close, tactile finish. On skin, the result feels richly layered but controlled, moving between vivid spice, petals, smooth wood and warm resin.
Thermae Imperiali is built around a distinctive contrast between cardamom and Gallic rose. The cardamom contributes aromatic heat, while rose brings a petal-like elegance that keeps the opening from becoming overly formal. Cedar and Mysore sandalwood give the composition a woody spine, and tonka bean softens that structure with a rounded sweetness. Labdanum adds resinous warmth, making the heart feel fuller and more enveloping. At the base, frankincense introduces a cool, resinous edge, while ambrette lends a skin-like softness and musk keeps the final impression close.
The evolution
The opening begins with a clean clash of cardamom and Gallic rose, bright enough to feel like air moving through a vaulted hall. The cardamom gives the first impression an aromatic heat, while rose adds a fresh, petal-like quality. As those notes settle, cedar, Mysore sandalwood, tonka bean and labdanum take over, replacing the opening's lift with warmth, grain and a plush sweetness. The surprise arrives in the drydown: frankincense lends a cool, resinous edge, while ambrette and musk soften it into something tactile and skin-close. Over time, the composition settles into a warm trace of wood, rose and powder. Its character comes from the gradual movement between sharp spice, floral brightness, smooth timber, sweet tonka, resinous incense and a soft musky finish.
Cultural impact
Thermae Imperiali takes its name from imperial thermal baths, drawing on imagery associated with marble, water and ritual cleansing. Within Floridia Parfum's collection, the fragrance offers a distinct note construction built around cardamom and Gallic rose before moving into cedar, tonka bean, Mysore sandalwood and labdanum. The opening's aromatic spice and floral brightness give way to a warmer, textured heart, while frankincense, ambrette and musk shape the drydown with resin, softness and close-fitting warmth.
The House
Floridia ParfumFloridia Parfum is an independent artistic house based in Naples, Italy. The label entered the market in 2022, offering a line of niche scents that draw on the city’s coastal heritage and culinary culture. Its early releases – such as Tramonto a Tragara, Faccia Gialla and Golfo Mistico – showcase a blend of marine freshness, citrus zest and aromatic herbs. Floridia positions itself as a laboratory for scent experiments that remain rooted in the everyday aromas of southern Italy, from market stalls to seaside promenades. The brand distributes through a curated network of boutique retailers and an online portal that lets collectors explore each composition in depth.
The Creator
Giovanni FestaIn the lab Festa favors a linear construction: a clear opening, a heart that expands, and a base that settles like stone. He often begins with a single botanical note—often a citrus or a rare rose—and builds layers of supporting accords that echo the primary scent without over…
