The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
La Volée takes its name from the tennis volley, the shot taken in flight, before the ball touches ground. In Sergio Tacchini's world, that's the moment everything changes. The fragrance captures that split-second decisiveness: an opening that arrives fully formed, bright and immediate, then shifts into something quieter and more personal. Launched in 2018, La Volée is a chypre floral built around lychee, red currant, magnolia, and rose, a pyramid that moves from tropical brightness to classic florals to a warm, skin-close drydown. It's the scent equivalent of a well-timed approach shot, not the power serve, the one that drops just over the net and leaves you smiling.
What makes La Volée interesting is how the top notes don't linger. Lychee and red currant arrive with immediate brightness, but they're gone within the first hour, replaced by magnolia and rose in the heart. That fade isn't a flaw. It's the point. The fragrance trusts the heart to do the real work, and magnolia is more than capable. Combined with rose, it creates a soft, powdery character that feels classic without being dated. The base of amber, musk, and patchouli anchors everything into something intimate and close, rather than projecting outward. This is a fragrance that dresses for itself, not for the room.
The evolution
The opening of La Volée hits with lychee and red currant, bright, almost juicy. The red currant adds a tart berry edge that keeps the sweetness from becoming cloying. Within 15 minutes, the fruit begins to recede and magnolia takes over, softening the composition into something creamier and more floral. Rose joins shortly after, lending a powdery, classic character to the heart. By the second hour, the drydown arrives: amber warmth, skin-close musk, and patchouli that grounds everything without darkening it. The patchouli is present but restrained, it adds depth rather than drama. La Volée doesn't project aggressively. It stays close, intimate, and personal. On most skin types, expect 4-6 hours of wear, with the final hours being the quietest and most intimate.
Cultural impact
La Volée occupies a specific space in the Sergio Tacchini lineup: feminine, warm, and quietly confident. Where other fragrances in the house lean into sport and athleticism, this one offers something softer, a floral-fruity composition that feels appropriate for spring and summer without being lightweight. The magnolia-rose heart gives it a classic quality that reads as timeless rather than trendy.
