Last summer, Acqua di Parma took us on a sensory journey with their latest creation, a fragrance that embodies joy, luminosity, and the warmth of the sunshine. Crafted through the rare and ancient La Spugnatura extraction method, practiced by only a handful of artisans in Italy, this fragrance offers a delicate collection of essences, brimming with nuances and richness. A limited edition rooted in Italian craftsmanship, it combines the freshness of sparkling citrus notes with soft and rounded undertones, resulting in a vivacious and multi-faceted composition.
Essence extraction
As a brand dedicated to preserving the oldest and most valuable artisanal processes, Acqua di Parma showcases the manual extraction of the citrus essence with the ancient La Spugnatura technique. This fascinating traditional expertise involves the meticulous extraction of the essence from the Arancia Vaniglia fruit. Highly revered artisans carefully cut each fruit in half using a well-sharpened knife. They then use the special spoon-shaped “cavatore” utensil to separate the skin from the pulp, revealing the precious rinds that hold the essence. These orange rinds are then gently pressed onto sea sponges, which diligently absorb every drop of the essence. The rich citrus elixir is carefully collected by squeezing the sponges in precise movements into terracotta containers, emphasizing the limited production capacity that depends entirely on manual processes. Remarkably, only 300g of essence is extracted from approximately 100kg of fruit, showcasing the rarity and exclusivity of this ingredient.
Packaging
To further elevate the experience, Matíz Barcelona designed the porcelain bottle with meticulous artisanship, creating a distinct and captivating aesthetic that embodies the essence of the Blu Mediterraneo collection.
The production process begins with a plaster mold, into which the porcelain mix is manually poured, forming the iconic Art Déco shape. Each bottle is meticulously refined to achieve an even and smooth surface. After being dipped into a glaze bath and baked for hours, the bottle takes on a stunning deep blue tone, adorned with white, burnished orange, and golden motifs inspired by the fragrance’s ingredients. The final touch includes a blue porcelain lid and a neck made with a unique grinding technique developed exclusively for Acqua di Parma, featuring a removable screw top pump for practicality and elegance.
Illustration
Matíz has meticulously crafted a distinct pattern for this Limited Edition, showcasing golden oranges against a watercolor backdrop. Each element of the design pays tribute to the Spugnatura extraction technique, where orange essence is manually extracted using sea sponges.
The vibrant golden oranges symbolize the essence of the orange fruit, capturing its vitality and richness. Applied with a sponge, the watercolor background not only adds depth to the design but also reflects the artisanal nature of the fragrance-making process, resulting in a visually captivating pattern.
Matíz Barcelona 