Sandra‘s Closet

Acqua di Parma and forte_forte partner to showcase the forte_forte loves Acqua di Parma Collection in Forte dei Marmi, at the Bocelli family’s Alpemare Beach Club. An all-Italian love story inspired by the partnership between the Maison representing the most sophisticated Italian style and a fashion house offering dreamlike charm, featuring timeless designs that resonate with emotions.

Set in the charming seaside town of Forte dei Marmi, the historic Alpemare Beach Club has hosted artists, poets, and actors from all over Europe since the last century. Today it is owned by the Bocelli family, which has preserved its legendary charm, turning it into a marvellous oasis filled with timeless elegance.

The joyous atmosphere of the Italian Mediterranean, the protagonist of forte_forte loves Acqua di Parma, is conveyed naturally and spontaneously in this sparkling setting. The graceful fluttering of butterflies and dragonflies that characterises the collection adorns beach towels and soft cushions that decorate the beach tents, treating Alpemare guests to a magical experience.

The enchanting and dreamlike motif created by forte_forte for Acqua di Parma appears again in the scented candles strategically placed in the lounge areas, in the garden and in Alpemare’s restaurant. The bright notes of mirto di Panarea waft all around, resulting in an exhilarating sense of awakening and harmony.

The magnificent view of the Apuan Alps, the scents of the Mediterranean pine forest at one of the most picturesque stretches of beach, together with the contemporary works of art that embellish the areas, make Alpemare a veritable treasure trove of beauty and wellbeing. Here, Andrea Bocelli himself, the world- famous Italian tenor and singer, often performs a concert or indulges in a rare moment of relaxation.

«It gives me great pleasure to work with Acqua di Parma again for the third summer. This year’s forte_forte loves Acqua di Parma Collection immediately won us over with its glowing sensation of lightness, harmony and freedom. The dreamy, bright tones of forte_forte’s motifs, the joyful notes of mirto di Panarea: all perfectly complement the atmosphere of the Alpemare Beach Club, designed by us as a genuine oasis of wellbeing where every detail is taken care of. Together with forte_forte and Acqua di Parma, we have succeeded in enhancing the various areas with aesthetic and sensory features that create a unique experience for our guests», emphasised Veronica Berti Bocelli, wife of Andrea Bocelli.

Energy resonates everywhere while the fragrances of Acqua di Parma’s Home Collection featuring Blu Mediterraneo candles and diffusers waft through the air. The beach cabins, which Alpemare has left in their traditional style, are fitted with the Arancia di Capri amenities from the hotel line of Acqua di Parma in special recycled plastic (RPET) produced in Italy from recycled PET plastic bottles. The comfortable bathrooms are complemented with the Arancia di Capri Hand Soap and Hand Cream ranges.

A fragrant dream for an Italian holiday full of emotions. Enjoy!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Acqua di Parma
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THE MAGIC OF A MEDITERRANEAN AWAKENING
The Italian fashion brand forte_forte celebrates Mirto di Panarea
forte_forte and Acqua di Parma are teaming up for the first time in an all- Italian love story. The «forte_forte loves Acqua di Parma» moniker is the result of the collaboration between a fashion house with a dreamy allure, focused on creating timeless designs filled with emotions, and a Maison symbolic of the most refined Italian style. The two houses share a passion for craftsmanship and for Made in Italy culture, for the atmospheres of Italian landscapes and for a pure and spontaneous beauty inspiring a revitalising rebirth. They come together to celebrate Mirto di Panarea, one of Acqua di Parma’s most loved fragrances.
More than just another capsule collection, «forte_forte loves Acqua di Parma» evokes the magic of Spring and its rebirth, inspired by the aromas and colours of the fascinating Aeolian island. This kaleidoscope of emotions radiates a new freedom, fluttering on the wings of a butterfly and a dragonfly. An iridescent atmosphere, vibrating with light and energy.

forte_forte aims to eliminate the distance between clothes and the wearer, by placing the focus on feelings and emotions. This joint project between the brother and sister team of Giada and Paolo Forte began in 2002 with a limited collection of hand-finished tee shirts. The fashion house creates special designs in which the Made in Italy is represented by the quality of the garments and a constant research driven by the desire to create pieces that are in complete symbiosis with the wearer’s body. This concept perfectly matches with Acqua di Parma’s core values.

What does a fashion design share with a fragrance?
«In this exciting story, the alliance between a fashion design and a fragrance generates a dynamic choreography that transports us into a dreamlike world, filling our senses with emotions and magic. Together, they create an intimate and special bond with our soul and body, enveloping it in a wonderful embrace.» – Giada Forte

A mythical landscape that lives in the delicate and dreamy design created by forte_forte for the Maison. Butterflies and dragonflies spread their coloured wings, in a fluttering flight that celebrates freedom and rebirth and that is reflected in a kaleidoscope of flowers abloom. The radiant yellow Parma tones alternate with the violet of myrtle berries, the symbol of an island suspended in time, on an aquamarine background with pearlescent reflections. Everything vibrates with life, whilst in the air you can breathe the scents of aromatic herbs that grow spontaneously and free-flowing in the Mediterranean scrub ecosystem.

The heart of the collection is the Mirto di Panarea fragrance in the novel 100ml format. The luxurious aesthetics of forte_forte dialogues with the regenerating notes of the fragrance. The aromatic warmth of myrtle is combined with basil, sparkling citrus accents of lemon and bergamotto di Calabria. In the heart of the fragrance accents of sea breeze meet jasmine and rose. The base notes intensely shine with mastic and juniper combined with cedar and amber.

Joyful and modern, the motif wraps around the cylinder box and the green coloured glass bottle that calls to mind the fragile beauty of ceramics. Made with a bright and special iridescent paper, the packaging, like a forte_forte dress, surprises and makes you dream, creating an intimate and exciting bond with those who opt for this fragrance. The outer cylinder is embellished with a small crochet decoration, its shape recalls a warm and bright sun. The charm scoubidou around the bottle cap in cobalt blue and fluorescent yellow tones and with a precious gold medallion, can be transformed into a bracelet or an anklet, a hair clip or a colourful and joyful keychain.

Apart from the fragrance, «forte_forte loves Acqua di Parma» includes the Discovery Set with the three fragrances Mirto di Panarea, Arancia di Capri and Fico di Amalfi in 12ml vials. The box, entirely covered with forte_forte designs, invites you to discover the authentic essences of the Italian Mediterranean. The Mirto di Panarea scented candle, a unique interior design element, with the glass decorated with the kaleidoscopic motif of flowers and butterflies embossed also on the packaging, will fill the house with the sparkling awakening notes of the Mediterranean nature.

«forte_forte loves Acqua di Parma» also embraces sustainability in line with the programme of the Maison «Acqua di Parma Futura». The outer packaging is made of fine paper approved by FSC, an international certificate for responsible forest management throughout the world.
The fragrance bottle, with a recycled plastic cap, features a separable dispenser to make recycling easier. «forte_forte loves Acqua di Parma» is a fragrant dream that unites two Italian stories in a tale of emotions.

Mirto di Panarea Eau de Toilette 100ml: CHF 153
Candle 200gr: CHF 87
Discovery Set: CHF 75

I am off to Italy today with Brunello Cucinelli… so excited for another love story!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Acqua di Parma
DISCLOSURE: We may earn commission from links on this page, but I only recommend products I love. Promise.

Capri, Ischia, the beautiful Amalfi Coast, I adore those places and enjoyed the past days there. Everything there smells like summer, from the slices of lemon to the salty skin after sea-bathing, from the beautiful flowers around every corner to the solar-soaked elements. There really is nothing like summer days, where time seems to stop, and the world moves slowly, all under the nourishing warmth of the sun. Therefore I love ACQUA DI PARMA’s BLU MEDITERRANEO collection. Those novel fragrances evoke the charm of the Italian Mediterranean and you can immerse yourself in this beautiful energy, even after you are back home.

Recently, I was invited by ACQUA DI PARMA to celebrate summer at Brera restaurant in Zurich. Along the beautiful scents, we enjoyed great food and cocktails that were inspired by the ingredients of each fragrance. Enjoy those beautifully fresh and buoyant fragrances to make your summer days halcyon.

ARANCIA DI CAPRI
Discover the relaxing and bright fruity fragrance Arancia di Capri encapsulating the signature scents of orange, mandarin, and lemon of Capri.

Top Notes: Italian Sweet Orange, Italian Mandarin, Italian Lemon
Heart Notes: Petit Grain, Cardamom
Base Notes: Caramel, Musk

FICO DI AMALFI
Fico di Amalfi by Acqua di Parma offers a revitalising scent that continuously surprises just like the spectacular view of the Amalfi coast.

Top Notes: Italian Lemon, Italian Bergamot, Grapefruit
Heart Notes: Fig Nectar, Pink Pepper, Jasmine Petals
Base Notes: Fig Wood, Cedarwood, Benzoin

MIRTO DI PANAREA

Mirto di Panarea will enchant you with its uplifting fragrance, bringing a sense of renewal to your soul.

Top Notes: Myrtle, Basil, Italian Lemon, Italian Bergamot
Heart Notes: Marine Breeze, Jasmine Absolute, Damask Rose Absolute
Base Notes: Lentisc Ansolute, Juniper, Virginian Cedarwood, Amber

BERGAMOTTO DI CALABRIA

With Bergamotto di Calabria, Acqua di Parma created an enchanting eau de toilette celebrating the majestic Calabria and its golden Bergamot fruit.

Top Notes: Calabrian Bergamot DOP, Citron
Heart Notes: Cedarwood, Red Ginger
Base Notes: Vetiver, Benzoin, Musk

My favorite ACQUA DI PARMA BLU MEDITERRANEO scent was not included in the menu, but I absolutely suggest you try this yummy gourmand fragrance when you get a chance.

MANDORLO DI SICILIA
Acqua di Parma has created an eau de toilette spray with a caressingly soft scent evoking the sweet memories of a Sicilian way of life: Blu Mediterraneo Mandorlo di Sicilia.

Top Notes: Star Anise, Italian Bergamot, Italian Orange
Heart Notes: Green Almonds, Ylang Ylang
Base Notes: Madagascar Vanilla , Lebanese Cedarwood, Tolu Balsam, Musk

Wishing you a lovely weekend with lots of sunny moments!

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © David Biedert Photography and © Sandra Bauknecht
#vibrantlyalive

Wherever you are, ragazze, Acqua di Parma‘s evocative scents of summer will put you in a blissed-out state of mind before you know it. And they come covered in LA DOUBLEJ‘s vibration-raising prints (naturally!). In other words, you’ll smell as good as your bathroom looks and your mood? Boosted, babe.

The collaboration is the first between La DoubleJ and Acqua di Parma, but the brands shared interest in the visual, olfactory, or tactical richness of the Italian landscape make them natural partners. Street-style star, journalist and contributing editor at Harper’s Bazaar and Wallpaper* magazines JJ Martin launched La DoubleJ in 2015, initially as a platform to sell her collection of vintage clothing. Soon, she began to create ready-to-wear pieces, working with top Italian textile manufacturers, such as Mantero, to use reissued vintage prints from their archives. More recently, the Milan-based brand has expanded to include homeware, collaborating with expert makers such as Mascioni and Bitossi Home to create patterned linens, porcelain plates and bold tableware.

Through the partnership with Acqua di Parma, La DoubleJ offers 100% Made in Italy terry-cloth towels and sun-burst bathing suits, to an exquisite range of products scented with Arancia di Capri, Bergamotto di Calabria, Fico di Amalfi and Mirto di Panarea, it is an ode to all the soul-satisfying colours and home-grown aromatic delights that Italy has to offer; created and crafted to be enjoyed this summer and for many summers to come.

Great news is that you can also enjoy this pure Italian style during your next summer holidays at the Alpemare Beach Resort in Forte dei Marmi as the Maison symbolising the most refined Italian style and the Brand created by JJ Martin dress up the Bocelli family’s bathing establishment on the elegant beachfront at Forte dei Marmi with the Blu Mediterraneo by La DoubleJ capsule collection.

The wonderful view of the Apuan Alps and the Mediterranean scents of the pine forest on one
of the most evocative stretches of the Forte dei Marmi beachfront, together with contemporary
works of art set out in various spaces, make Alpemare a veritable jewel of beauty and well-being.
Andrea Bocelli himself, the great tenor and Italian singer who is famous throughout the world,
often treats himself to relaxing breaks and even performs here.

The elegant tents that welcome guests on the Alpemare beachfront are even more radiant, with beach towels and cushions from the capsule Collection. The Confetti Blu print, designed by La DoubleJ in blue and yellow tones, creates a bright Mediterranean atmosphere for an unforgettable summer.

In all relaxation areas and collective spaces, from Alpemare’s garden to its exclusive restaurant, Arancia di Capri candles give off the light and effervescent scent of one of the most popular Blu
Mediterraneo fragrances.

The cabins, maintained by Alpemare in their original form, come complete with Arancia di Capri
amenities from the Acqua di Parma hotel line to enhance the resort’s refined harmony for a truly Italian holiday.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Acqua di Parma

Finally, I am allowed to share with you the official photos of ACQUA DI PARMA‘s new home collection that were photographed at the iconic Belmond Hotel Splendido Mare in Portofino by Guido Taroni in his sister Virginia Taroni.

When I met with Laura Burdese, I asked her about the biggest challenge the luxury industry is facing at the moment. She replied: «Personally speaking, it is to build up a global brand into a world that is splitted in two. We have the Western and the rising huge Asian world. To bring these two universes together is sometimes hard. Masculinity for example is different in Asia than in Eurpoe. What seems probably feminine to us, is very masculine for Asian people. Sometimes you are tempted to do certain things just for one place and you can get lost intranslatuion in the middle. Therefore, the biggest challenge for me is to build up a global brand with the same values, and the same assets, that can be read in the same way through different cultures.»

Launching the new home collection is surely a great step forward into building up one global brand. The home is the place that brings people together around the world. Everyone dreams of creating a space of relaxation, comfort and pleasure. It is the most intimate and personal space. The place that reflects your choices and tastes more than any other. Objects, colours, books, music.

All these things create an atmosphere that defines you, creating a space where you can entertain friends and make them feel at home. A certain ‘savoir-vivre’ that is palpable in the air. Light, subtle tones released into the air by an elegant candle or a simply designed room diffuser, bring the brightest Italian style to every room. The new Acqua di Parma Home Collection lends the final touch to a genuine home.

The brand that is the symbol of Italian lifestyle has produced ten new fragrances for candles and room diffusers. A range of sensory impressions, not just for your personal pleasure but also for the well thought out art of welcoming guests, or for an elegant, carefullychosen gift. Five different fragrances capture the typical moments of Italian living: Luce di Colonia, Buongiorno, La Casa sul Lago, Caffè in Piazza and Oh, L‘amore.

And for those who want to recreate the breath of the unforgettable Italian Mediterranean in their own home, five fragrances inspired by the Blu Mediterraneo line: Arancia di Capri, Fico di Amalfi, Bergamotto di Calabria, Chinotto di Liguria and Mirto di Panarea. Essences that contain ingredients symbolising the magnificent natural landscapes of the Italian Mediterranean.

My personal favorite: Oh, L’amore.

Home Collection from Acqua di Parma lights up your living spaces with a touch of sophisticated Italian style and the sheer pleasure that comes from feeling perfectly at home. The new scented candles and diffusers combine sensuality and design, and further enrich the world of creations conceived for the home, ranging from the Cube to the refined Murano Glass Candles, Powder Soap and Scented Paper drawer liners. All for a sense of light, natural elegance, to experience along with the brand name which has come to symbolise Italian lifestyle.

LoL, Sandra

Scented paper drawer liners are so awesome for your closet.

Photos: Courtesy of Acqua di Parma #HomeCollection