The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Aria emerged from Somens in 2020. The fragrance combines bergamot and lemon for brightness, creating an immediate citrus impression that feels both sharp and luminous. The pomegranate adds a tart, distinctive character to the opening, providing contrast without overwhelming the citrus. The fig heart grounds the composition with creamy, green depth. The cedar and vetiver base keeps everything grounded and honest, adding woody earthiness that anchors the brighter top notes. Perfumer Christian Carbonnel, working as Chris Maurice, built the composition around these elements. The result captures qualities associated with Mediterranean atmospheres: harbor water and warm stone rather than coconut sunscreen.
The pomegranate brings a tart, distinctive quality to Aria's composition, creating tension against the bergamot's sweetness. This pulls the opening toward something sharper and more interesting. The fig heart arrives to deepen the fragrance rather than simply smooth it. Paired with jasmine and white tea, the heart becomes quiet and introspective, capturing the Mediterranean as felt, not just seen. Cedar and vetiver provide structural depth without overwhelming the composition.
The evolution
The opening announces itself quickly, bergamot and lemon arriving together, sharp and bright, like a harbor at midday. The pomegranate then emerges, pulling the citrus toward something more complex. The fig develops, becoming creamy and green, eventually overtaking the citrus as the dominant impression. Jasmine follows, adding a quiet floral richness that enhances without dominating. As the fragrance develops further, cedar and vetiver settle into the composition, adding dry woody warmth without ever becoming heavy. Musk appears as a supporting element, not as a feature. The fragrance develops into something intimate and close to the skin. As it fades, vetiver and cedar remain, faint and grounded, like the smell of a room after someone's left but the windows are still open.
Cultural impact
Aria arrived as Somens entered the artisan fragrance scene, offering a different approach to Mediterranean-inspired compositions. The fragrance emphasizes brightness and restraint, standing apart from heavier niche offerings that rely on oud and amber conventions. This positioning reflects a preference for refined, nuanced scents that prioritize subtlety over intensity, creating something that feels both sophisticated and wearable.
The House
SomensSomens is a niche perfumery brand rooted in the vibrant creative scene of Barcelona, Spain. Founded by Georgina Ripollés, known as Gio, the house approaches fragrance creation with the sensibility of a publicist who understands the power of storytelling and distinct brand positioning. Somens crafts perfumes that aim to capture specific moods and moments, with releases spanning from 2020 through 2024. The brand's catalog includes fragrances such as Arena, Seda, Aria, Jade, Onice, Capriccio, Atlantis, and the most recent addition, Éclair. Operating within Barcelona's rich cultural landscape, Somens positions itself as a contemporary voice in niche perfumery, creating scents that reflect both personal expression and broader artistic influences drawn from the Mediterranean environment.
The Creator
Christian Carbonnel a.k.a. Chris MauriceCarbonnel is at his most distinctive when building rich, layered oriental compositions that unfold over hours on the skin. He favors high-quality natural materials and constructs fragrances with real depth—top notes that sparkle, heart notes that develop, and base notes that a…
