The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Foresta Magica is a collaboration between PAX by Lorenzo Pazzaglia and House of Merlo, two houses united by a fascination with mysticism, the unknown, and the subtly magical. Lorenzo Pazzaglia, the self-taught Italian perfumer behind PAX, creates fragrances that explore the boundaries between the familiar and the mysterious. For this collaboration, the brief was simple in concept but demanding in execution, create an olfactory interpretation of an Arcadian realm, a mystical forest where anything is possible. The fragrance needed to capture what House of Merlo calls 'true magic', not spectacle, but the belief that by trusting in something larger, you'll find your place in the world.
What makes Foresta Magica structurally interesting is its density of citrus at the opening, nine different top notes, including bergamot, lime, lemon, pink grapefruit, sweet orange, blackcurrant, ginger, Nepalese sichuan pepper, and pink pepper. That's an unusual amount of brightness competing for attention. The solution lies in how Lorenzo layers them: the citrus doesn't arrive all at once. Instead, it's sequenced, some hit immediately, others emerge as the first wave settles. Beneath that bright canopy, the green and aromatic heart does its work quietly.
The evolution
The opening arrives fast, a rush of citrus that reads like sunlight through leaves. Bergamot, lime, pink grapefruit, and sweet orange hit within the first minute, with ginger and blackcurrant providing a slightly tart, almost edible undertone. The citrus doesn't disappear, it retreats, becoming a background note as the green heart takes over. Clary sage and rosemary emerge first, their herbal clarity anchoring the mid-section while magnolia and gardenia follow, softening the herbs with a creamy floral warmth. Magnolia adds depth to the transition, its buttery petals tempering the sharper green notes while gardenia contributes a lush, velvety sweetness that bridges the herbal and floral elements. This heart phase is where Foresta Magica earns its name. The transition to the base is gradual.
Cultural impact
Foresta Magica stands apart from straightforward seasonal releases. The collaboration with House of Merlo adds a layer of mysticism that elevates it beyond typical green fragrances. It's a fragrance for someone who wants to smell like they've been somewhere, not just someone who smells clean. The depth of its composition and the care in its construction suggest a perfume meant to be lived with rather than simply sampled.
