The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Florentia represents a different kind of statement for Paglieri: an oriental-woody composition that reaches back to Italian cultural history for its spirit. Paglieri, founded in Alessandria in 1876, has spent generations refining what Italian perfumery means, building on a legacy that produced the landmark Felce Azzurra in 1923. The perfumers Henri Bergia and Eric Fracapane built a fragrance that feels simultaneously rooted in tradition and shaped for modern wear. The blend opens with warm spice and powdery iris, settling into animalic leather that lingers on the skin. Its rich, complex character unfolds gradually, revealing deeper nuances of resinous woods and subtle animalic warmth as the hours pass.
What makes Florentia distinctive is the interplay between warm spice and powdery florals in an oriental-woody frame. The clove at the opening brings a warm, slightly medicinal brightness that bergamot tempers. Iris is unusual in this kind of composition, bringing a powdery, violet-like softness that softens the spice and prevents the fragrance from reading as heavy. Styrax adds a smoky, balsamic resinous quality that deepens the heart without competing with the leather. The result is a fragrance where warmth and powder coexist rather than cancel each other out.
The evolution
Florentia opens warm and spiced, clove and bergamot announcing together in a bright citrus-spice burst. Within minutes the leather arrives, not aggressive but present, settling into the composition alongside iris in a powdery, intimate hand-off. The fragrance never reaches for the ceiling. By the mid-phase the sandalwood and amber begin their work, adding cream and warmth that wraps the leather in something softer. The drydown is where Florentia earns its longevity. Sandalwood, amber, and tonka bean create a powdery-warm base that stays close to the skin for hours, projecting moderately but lasting deep into the evening.
Cultural impact
Paglieri, founded in Alessandria in 1876, built its identity on accessible, classic Italian fragrances. The house introduced warm spice, powdery iris, and animalic leather to their portfolio with Florentia. The collaboration with perfumers Henri Bergia and Eric Fracapane brought contemporary craftsmanship to a historic house. Florentia stands as an oriental-woody composition that offers wearers a rich sensory experience. The fragrance unfolds in layers, with the warm spice opening giving way to powdery iris heart notes, while animalic leather provides a lasting base that evolves on the skin throughout the day.
The House
PaglieriPaglieri is an Italian fragrance and personal care company headquartered in Alessandria, a city in the Piedmont region. The company operates within the Paglieri family legacy, originally established as a perfume production house in the late 19th century. Its most celebrated creation remains Felce Azzurra, a cologne launched in 1923 by Luigi Paglieri and his son Lodovico that achieved remarkable commercial success in Italy. Beyond its signature scent, Paglieri produces a range of personal care and home fragrance products, maintaining an uninterrupted presence in Italian households for over a century. The brand's portfolio includes several fragrance lines released in the 2010s and 2020s, including the Tribute collection honoring Italian cities and the Essenza Autentica series.
The Creator
Henri Bergia & Eric FracapaneHenri’s style leans toward warm, aromatic foundations built on high‑quality woods, spices and aromatic herbs. He favors natural absolutes such as rose otto and jasmine sambac, pairing them with mineral ambergris or subtle resins to add depth.
