Behind the Scenes of the New Fragrance 1919
From the Polimoda students’ project to the speakeasy evening: how a perfume is born to tell the story of an era.
Every fragrance holds a story. But some stories—like that of 1919—feels like it was written by fate: a surprising encounter of creativity, talent, and diverse visions coming together to create something truly unique and unrepeatable. Not just perfume—but also much more. A true limited edition born from the history of Firenze and designed with the new generations.
The Creative Idea: When Gen Z Meets the Art of Perfumery
It all began with an exclusive project that brought together Aquaflor and third-year Fashion Business students from Polimoda in Firenze. The goal was ambitious: to combine the artisanal know-how of fine perfumery with the free and contemporary vision of the new generation, giving shape to a fragrance that could speak to — and for — Gen Z.
The students were divided into groups, each tasked with developing the concept for a new fragrance. Among the many proposals, our Maison selected the one that best captured the spirit of the project: a tribute to Firenze, to its vibrant past and timeless elegance. The winners? Thea Rose Clarke, Angelina Gozzi, Maria Paula Colmenares, Elze Gusciute and Fanni Haiko, a group of young women who skillfully wove together territory, tradition and modernity through the iconic figure of the Negroni.
A Scent Inspired by an Icon
The selected concept draws inspiration in one of the city’s most fascinating stories: the origin of the Negroni, created in 1919 thanks to the bold intuition of Count Camillo Negroni. A simple, daring gesture—adding gin to an Americano—gave birth to a legendary cocktail. From that idea came the desire to translate that same audacity into a perfume—one that could evoke its intensity, elegance, and rule-breaking spirit.
Tradition and Innovation in an Olfactory Symphony
To bring this vision to life, we entrusted our perfumer, Zisis Kapsalis, with the challenging task of turning the Negroni experience into a fragrance. To make the tribute even more authentic, we involved Luca Picchi, one of the foremost Negroni experts, from whom we gathered insights, stories, and inspiration. Slowly, the olfactory pyramid of a new fragrance began to take shape—transforming a swirling blend of ideas into a refined sensory harmony.
Three hundred bottles, numbered and hand-filled by our artisans, are the tangible result of this creative encounter.
The Launch Night: A Speakeasy in the Heart of Firenze
On April 30th, to officially present 1919, our boutique transformed into an elegant speakeasy in perfect 1920s style. The atmosphere of an early 20th-century Florentine café wrapped around the guests, inviting them to step back in time. Other Tuscan artisanal experiences enriched the sensory journey: the spirits of Fermenthinks and Opificio Nunquam, elevated with Santa Bianca essences, offered refined Negroni interpretations, while the creations of Mani del Sud, Ely.B, and Kosmima turned the evening into a party worthy of The Great Gatsby.
Step back into the atmosphere of the evening — explore the hashtag #the1919event on Instagram.
1919 – Limited Edition
From the story we’ve told, you’ve probably realized that 1919 is more than just a perfume: it’s a tribute to Firenze, to its past, and to its ability to reinvent itself through the generations. It’s the very essence of an icon.
Discover it in our Florence boutique at Borgo Santa Croce 6, or learn more about its olfactory pyramid and purchase your numbered bottle online here.
Follow us on Instagram at @aquaflorfirenze: many more surprises await…