Page 130 - EM - Export Magazine Perfumery Edition

COMPANY

SIKELIA

MYTHS BECOME REALITY

Sikelia Parfums is an artistic perfumery brand inspired by which he is supporting Sicily. The top notes are invigorating
Sicilian mythologies and legends. The mission is to present with bergamot, pine and salt; the m idle notes herby and floral
Sicilian traditions that break away from 20 century with aldehydes, sage, bergamot, and iris, and the base notes
th
stereotypes but returns to the origins. None of the elements of ambergris, sea water, and balsamic notes add distinction
in the Sikelia products comes from industrial productions: the and persistence to the fragrance.
best Sicilian artists and artisans who have contributed to this Triskelè is the symbol of Sicily, and this perfume aims to recall
artistic idea have been selected. For example, every single the 3 cultures that dominated Sicily. The top notes of red
perfume cap is handmade in ceramic by selected Sicilian grapes, rosemary and petitgrain are all symbols of the Roman
potters from Caltagirone, a town famous all over the world lifestyle. The middle notes derive from Greek culture with
for its ceramics. Sikelia is the project of a long research and myrrh, blue tears of perfumery, and patchouli, the symbol of
study of the world of perfumes and in particular of Sicilian rebellion and freedom.
mythologies and legends. The project, the formulation of the Atma is a fragrance with a very particular essence: the story
perfumes, the materials used, are part of a careful selection that inspired it is that of Encelado, a creature who was half-
of Sicilian artists and craftsmen. The elements that make up man and half-beast. Encelado was very hungry for power,
the creations do not come from industrial productions but and he fought in a battle with other giants to take power
are mostly made by hand: every single cap of perfume is from Jupiter, but Jupiter threw a mountain at Encelado, who
handmade in ceramic by selected potters from Caltagirone, was buried under Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in
the tassels, and the box are the result of skilled craftsmanship Europe. The tradition says that the lava coming out from the
that makes each of the perfumes a unique piece. volcano is Encelado’s fiery breath. The top notes are a smoke
accord, black pepper and a metallic note, followed by the
middle notes of vetiver, cedar wood and incense, and base
notes of amber, roots and earth.
Two fragrances are inspired by the same story involving Morus
and kalsa. Morus was a young Muslim who, one day, walking
through the streets of Palermo, saw a beautiful girl called
Kalsa who was watering the basil plants on the balcony of
her house. They fell in love at first sight. But one day, Morus
confessed to Kalsa that he had to go back to his country
because his wife and his children were waiting for him, and
Nikos is inspired by the legend of Colapesce, a man who was Kalsa became jealous and angry about this. During the night,
very keen on the sea. A curse turned him into half-man and when Morus was sleeping, she cut off his head and used it as
half-fish. The King of Sicily, Federico II, discovered his skills a vase for her basil, watering her new vase with her tears.
and he wanted to test them, so he threw his crown into the The people of Palermo saw the basil in Morus’ head, and they
sea and promised Colapesce a reward if he recovered it. began to produce ceramic heads. The top notes of Morus are
When Colapesce dived into the sea to retrieve the crown, he bergamot, orange, basil leaves, black pepper, and sea breeze,
realized that one of the three pillars that supported Sicily was a prelude to the heart of rose, white flowers, iris, mint leaves
breaking, and so he decided to stay there to support Sicily and the base notes of vanilla, ambrette seeds, cedar wood,
forever on his shoulder. This legend is still alive in the Sicilian amber, and musk. kalsa opens with notes of white thyme,
culture: when there is an earthquake in Sicily, the Sicilian neroli, the heart is ylang ylang, labdanum, lavender, cinnamon
tradition says that Colapesce is changing the shoulder on with base notes of cedar wood, sandalwood, and amber.

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