Alora Ambiance at www.aloraambiance.com
Ulrich Lang New York’s ANVERS Candle is available at www.aedes.com
Ormonde Jayne’s ORRIS NOIR Candle is available at www.ormondejayne.com
Antica Farmacista
Co-Founders: Shelley Callaghan and Susanne Pruitt
MC: Please give a short background on Antica Farmicista and the
core values of the brand?
SC & SP: The evolution of the brand is a personal one; our personal
touch permeates all of the products and is a true reflection of both of us.
With both our families and business based in Seattle, we draw much
inspiration for the direction of the brand from our surroundings.
The Pacific Northwest is known for being an “Ecotopia” surrounded by
lush flora, fauna and water, the perfect starting points for luxury fragrance.
Each scent created is a complex fragrance fusion, some notes of which are indigenous to the Northwest, others that are gathered from far and wide across the globe. Hints of cherry blossom in the new Fiori Di Primavera scent evoke the feeling of a long stroll under canopies of cherry blossom branches during spring, while Acqua brings back memories of warm sea breezes from past journeys to far away tropical locales. We use only the finest essential oils and natural ingredients; each and every product is meticulously produced and presented in our antique inspired apothecary bottle. Antica Farmacista’s standards are extremely and represent luxury fragrance at its best.
The “New” Luxury: Home Fragrance
Part Three - Antica Farmacista, Archipelago Botanicals
&
By Michelyn Camen
Archipelago Botanicals
Co-Founders: Gregg Corzine and David Klass (“Two Camera-Shy Guys”)
MC: How long has Archipelago Botanicals been in business and what were your first products?
GC & DK: Archipelago has been in business since 1998. Our first line was a line of aromatherapy candles called the Lady Anne Collection. The collection was a story of Lady Anne who lived on the island and was a royal botanist, her lover was a sea Capitan who traveled throughout the world and encouraged her love for plants and exotic ingredients. Each love letter gave you a glimpse into their personal life as well as the story line behind each product, each letter included the new exotic ingredient that her sea captain found for her and became a key ingredient in that product. The original concepts were based on destinations and exotic ingredients from that specific destination- thus the founder picked Archipelago as the name for the line, creating an imaginary ambiance of travel.
MC: Archipelago Botanicals is relatively popularly priced compared to many of the newer brands. Are they of the same quality?
GC & DK: Yes, we have spent years maintaining a price point that allows a vast number of consumers to purchase our products. While we aren’t on the low end of the pricing we aren’t at the high end, and have placed ourselves in the middle range of the pricing. Our candles ranges from 60% to 70% soy and our fragrances are complex. Regardless of our price point I think our candles compete and hold their own next to a $60 or $70 dollar candle (average price point is $20-$30). The quality of our candles is of equal or better value then many of our competitors on the market. All our candles are still hand poured in our warehouse.
Our product line is extensive and comprehensive: Home Ambiance Fragrances in 100ml, 250ml and 500ml options, Room & Linen Spray, Candle, Bath and Body products and personal perfumes.
MC: Please recommend a scent for each room of the house, living room, dining area, bedroom, bathroom, baby's room, etc.
SC & SP: Antica Farmacista has 17 fragrances in its line (floral, oriental, masculine, feminine, unisex, etc.), which gives the user many options for selecting the perfect scent for each room. One of the key benefits to using a variety of fragrances under one roof is the resulting home-owner’s “signature scent”. We encourage you to experiment using multiple fragrances throughout their home.
Here are some of our recommendations:
For the Living Room-- Santorini (great fragrance with woody and light florals), which appeal to men and women and is perfect for a communal space like a living room)
For the Dining Area-- Champagne (sparkly fruit notes and an overall effervescence make this the perfect complement to any dining experience)
For the Bedroom-- Green Fig (men and women alike love this intoxicating scent that has a freshness of wild fig and cut grass, yet woody notes soften this making it ideal for starting or ending your day)
For the Bathroom-- Peonia, Gardenia & Rosa (a lovely light floral with bright citrus create the perfect powder room freshness)
For the Baby’s Room-- Acqua (the clean notes reminiscent of a delicate sea breeze complement the pure freshness of a newborn)
For the Kitchen-- Grapefruit (the pure citrus experience delivers a freshness that will complement any natural food tastes or smells…and of course this is achieved without the cover-up of chemicals)
For the Family Room-- Orange Blossom (exhilarating florals and citrus notes create
the perfect transition from kitchen to living room)
MC: Will there be any new products or scents introduced for Holiday?
SA & SP: Yes! We have a beautiful new fragrance, Il Fuoco Di Lustro (Lustrous Fire) which is on the shelves now for holiday. A heavenly holiday scent built on deep earthy notes of guaiac wood, oakmoss and cedarwood. Its dry smokiness is balanced beautifully with lush evergreen notes of fir needle. Subtle herbal notes soften the amber musk, resulting in a divine dark fragrance, evoking wintry fireside evenings. This scent is available as a home ambiance reed diffuser in 250ml and 500ml sizes, and a room and linen spray.
We also are launching our first candle for holiday. Created in Antica’s signature Champagne fragrance and packaged exquisitely, this candle makes the perfect holiday gift. Formulated to ensure luxurious quality, a clean burn and beautiful home fragrance, it is created using premium, soy/parafin wax blend and lead-free, all–natural wicks. The new candle provides approximately 50 hours of burn time.
MC: Have there been new trends in home fragrance that you can share
with our readers?
SA & SA: As you know, the true luxury client loves nothing more than something that is customized and created totally for them. Our customers want their own fragrances, personalized labels, etc and they want this for each and every room in their home.
It is the next evolution in home fragrance and one with which we will partake in Spring 2009.
Also, we are encouraging our users to consider using home fragrance as they would a personal fragrance…Just as fragrance wearer’s are encouraged to choose a personal scent that is right for their specific occasion, considering time of day etc, the same philosophy holds true with home fragrance. Don’t limit yourself to one fragrance for your home. (i.e. An evening personal scent choice might be dark, woody and sultry whereas a scent for a traditional luncheon setting might be comprised of light florals and bright citrus notes.
Use the same philosophy for home…choose the right fragrance to balance the natural odors of your kitchen, choose the perfect scent to help offset the fragrances in your powder room, and help set the mood with the perfect scent in your bedroom.
MC: Some of our readers may not know how to use scent diffusers properly. Please share any tips for maximizing efficacy and longetivity.
SA & SP:
•
Select diffusers using the highest quality fragrance oils
Select diffusers using the highest quality fragrance oils•When you are expecting guests, flip just a few sticks, resulting in a “burst” of new scent into the air.
When you are expecting guests, flip just a few sticks, resulting in a “burst” of new scent into the air. •In the morning, flip all of the sticks, releasing a more concentrated fragrance which will continue to diffuse all day and will result in the perfect scent when you return home at the end of your day.
In the morning, flip all of the sticks, releasing a more concentrated fragrance which will continue to diffuse all day and will result in the perfect scent when you return home at the end of your day.Antica Farmacista is currently sold at: Bergdorf Goodman, Nordstrom, Takashimaya and at 800+ niche boutiques and doors worldwide.
Writer’s Raves:
Bellissimo Crystal Decanter in “Santorini” and Room and Linen Spray in “Champagne”
MC: When did the Company move into bath and
body and other lifestyle products and why?
GC & DK: We moved into bath and body in 2000.
The foundations of Archipelago was about essential
oils and natural ingredients, and in 2000 we decided to
launch into the bath and body market with a line called
MILK- keeping with the foundation of Archipelago the
line was created with natural soy proteins and oat proteins.
We have since launched 4 more bath and body collections- MINT, SUGAR, POMEGRANATE and GRAPEFRUIT. Each bath and body collection is about a key natural ingredient or a historical wellness ritual.
MC: What’s new for Spring 2009
GC & DK: For spring we are launching our version of a ‘green’ line with a very Archipelago twist.
The Archipelago website goes live on December 2nd. www.archipelago-usa.com/
Dr Vrange’s ‘ROSSO NOBILE’ Diffuser is available at www.luckyscent.com
Ajne’s Amber Beaded and Filigree ‘FESTIVE’ Candle is available at www.ajne.com
Santa Maria Novella’s ‘AMULET’ Sachet is available at www.lafcony.com
By Michelyn Camen
Red Flower’s ‘MORROCAN ROSE’ Candle available at www.redflower.com
Diptyque’s ‘TUBEROSE’ Candle is available at www.ronrobinson.com
L’Artisan/Aedes’ AEDES Room Spray is available at www.aedes.com
The ledeline “Home Fragrance Still Hot” made the cover of this month’s GCI Magazine. We expect the fire will burn brighter and we will see many new players in the marketplace by this time next year.
Why? The sophistication, technology, and pricing of home fragrance has moved some of the niche companies out of the realm of single note aromas into innovative expression; a hallmark of fine fragrance. For the conclusion of this three part series, we speak to two companies who helped pioneer the industry- Antica Farmacista and Archipelago Botanicals. In exclusive interviews with their owners we learn how they still remain relevant and leaders in an increasingly expanding market.
We also had the pleasure of burning and diffusing hours of home fragrances and
chose the most noteworthy and unusual for “The Best of the Rest”.
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Sniffapalooza Magazine is independently owned and operated by Raphaella Barkley.
