Acqua di Parma hits the heady heights of the Dolomites with a seasonal collection that will have your gifting all wrapped
You don’t need to be a seasoned nose to know that scent evokes a vivid sense of time and place. It can stir fond memories of a loved one, a special meal or a patch of the Earth that captured your imagination. Acqua di Parma knows the power that aromas have to transport us and, for winter 2025, the Italian olfactory powerhouse takes us on a journey to the Dolomites.
Designed by Milan-based architect Cristina Celestino, Acqua di Parma’s Holiday Collection of limited-edition scent bottles, candles, diffusers and Advent calendars draws its creative nous from the natural landscape and rustic architecture of Monte Antelao – one of the mountain range’s most famed peaks.
Craft techniques and finishes found in the region’s wooden chalets and metalwork are replicated using hammered and brushed finishes on glazed porcelain scent bottles, which can be refilled time and again with your favourite fragrance. There are five bottles, each with their own distinctive hue: Bianco Dolomia, Blu Fedaia, Rosso Tovel, Verde Cembro and Giallo Cima.
The collection’s candles – essential for creating that cosy log-cabin vibe at Yuletide – distil the aromatic profile of the Dolomites, with Bosco, a blend of pine, eucalyptus and cedarwood; Torrone, with toasted pistachio, sesame and nougat; and the sweetest treat of all – Panettone – which captures the fragrant fruitiness of the traditional Italian Christmas cake. Diffusers in the same scent formulations are also offered, fashioned from glazed, hammer-effect porcelain and hand-blown glass vessels in the shape of traditional Alpine cowbells. Each of these playful limited-edition Campèla home designs is signed by creator Cristina Celestino.
Christmas wouldn’t be complete without an Advent calendar and with Acqua di Parma, there’s more to look forward to than the usual crumbly piece of daily chocolate. Its Holiday Collection Advent calendar is handcrafted in Italy in the shape of the maison’s signature gifting hatbox, highly stylised with a brushed-gold finish and calfskin interior. It opens to reveal a curated selection of scents, candles and diffusers, in the house’s most iconic blends, including Colonia and Blu Mediterraneo. Sculptural candles inspired by the brand’s iconic Art Deco fragrance bottles in three entirely new scents are also part of the mix – Buongiorno Gstaad, Buongiorno Courchevel and Buongiorno Cortina – each with their own distinct olfactory profile to suggest their namesake locales, with pine needles, smoky vetiver, Alpine woods and frozen absinthe key notes.
And if there’s someone in your life who enjoys a good game at Christmas, there’s the Holiday Collection chess set, with a board made from Canaletto walnut and cherry wood. The 32 handmade chess pieces in lacquered cherry and pear wood integrate hidden fragrance vials in the high-ranking pieces.
This broad collection reflects the spirit of the maison though fine materials, rich aromatics and artisanal craft techniques, with something to suit everyone’s scents and sensibility. La dolce vita has never smelled so good.
