The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Zagara takes its name from the Sicilian word for bitter orange blossom. Lorenzo Villoresi built this composition around that single material, constructing it from petitgrain, neroli, and woody notes in a way that feels more like a tonal study than a traditional fragrance pyramid. The scent opens with a bright, clean impression that carries through the heart notes before settling into the quieter base. Petitgrain provides the green, slightly bitter quality of the citrus plant, while neroli brings a warm, waxy floral character reminiscent of the blossom itself. Woody notes anchor the composition from below, offering a quiet foundation that supports the lighter materials without dominating them. No ornamentation, no layered complexity, just the material, clearly rendered.
What makes Zagara interesting isn't what it adds. It's what it doesn't. Petitgrain brings the green, slightly bitter quality of orange leaf and twig. Neroli brings the waxy, warm floral of the blossom itself. The woody notes provide the quiet foundation that keeps everything grounded. The composition unfolds as a cohesive study of botanical materials, with each element contributing its essential character. Petitgrain's citrusy greenness, neroli's delicate floral warmth, and the understated woody base work together to create something unified rather than fragmented.
The evolution
It opens bright. Petitgrain first, the smell of citrus oil on green wood, then the neroli arrives like light through a window, immediate and clean. For the first hour, this is a citrus-neroli composition with no hidden agenda. Then the florals deepen slightly. The sharp edges soften. The woody base gradually makes its presence known, and the transition happens without drama, no sudden reveal, no dramatic drydown. The neroli stays present throughout, but it grows quieter, warmer, more intimate. Six hours in, what remains is a clean skin scent with a faint trace of orange blossom and the quiet persistence of wood. Not loud. Not trying to be. Still there.
Cultural impact
Zagara occupies a distinctive position within Mediterranean aromatic traditions. Compared to other notable neroli-focused fragrances, it approaches the material with a different sensibility. The clarity and botanical authenticity of its composition set it apart from more elaborate constructions. Some fragrances in this category build complexity through layering and detail; Zagara opts for directness, presenting its materials with unvarnished transparency. The character appeals to wearers who value honesty in their fragrance choices, prioritizing genuine expression over decorative effect.
The House
Ortigia SiciliaOrtigia Sicilia is a Sicilian soap and fragrance house founded in 2006 by British entrepreneur Sue Townsend. The brand draws its name from the ancient island of Ortigia, located in the waters off Siracusa on Sicily's eastern coast, where Greek mythology and Mediterranean culture converge. The collection centers on natural ingredients native to Sicily, including locally sourced olive oil, botanical extracts, and fragrance compounds created in collaboration with Florentine master perfumer Lorenzo Villoresi. Ortigia produces perfumes, body care, home candles, and soap bars that reflect the sensory palette of the island, from citrus groves and jasmine gardens to warm amber and resinous woods. The company operates from Florence, though its creative identity remains rooted in Sicilian landscape, color, and olfactory tradition.
The Creator
Lorenzo VilloresiVilloresi favors natural extracts over synthetics, especially amber, oud, and rare spices. He builds compositions around a single anchor note, then adds supporting accords that echo the original theme.
