Photo by Rocco Rorandelli.
Photo by Rocco Rorandelli.
Her nose travels around the world in a heartbeat––the colourful vials in front of her contain vetiver from Haiti, tuberose from India and sandalwood from Australia. Nearby, a copy of The Little Prince, Bruce Springsteen discs and posters from the Coen brothers’ classic, The Big Lebowski, all serve as sources of inspiration.
Although her working life began in the music industry, Paola was always drawn to perfume, and following a summer course in the French perfume capital, Grasse - she was one of only a dozen students selected from around the world for a one-year intensive there - she was hooked.
Photo by Rocco Rorandelli.
Photo by Rocco Rorandelli.
Since her return to Rome, Paola has built a name for herself by creating original men’s fragrances. Her clients range from large fashion companies to niche players, and collaborations with Rome-based accessory houses Chez Dede and Men’s Heritage. Together, she believes they are adding a new dimension to creativity in the Italian capital.
Paola Bottai draws inspiration from the neighbourhood where she grew up and continues to live. “It’s my village, this is my little town. There is a perfume shop nearby, owned by a family friend, where I used to spend my afternoons as a child, playing or doing my homework. These quarters of Rome make you feel like you are in the centre of the world but have a very strong human element. Did you see how many people I greeted on the street?” Her studio is also her home, a place she returns to after travels to collapse onto the couch and listen to music. Time out plays its own special role in energizing her creative spirit.
Photo by Rocco Rorandelli.
Paola builds a fragrance like the layers of a pyramid. She blends fresh aromas like mandarin, citrus and bergamot with more complex fragrances that linger on a collar and make someone remember you long after you’ve gone. Each formula is unique. It’s always a challenge. “You have to limit your imagination… Creativity has to be focused,” she notes.
When Paola creates a new fragrance, she prepares several samples for her clients, complete with original designs for the bottles, caps and labels. Once the formula is approved she takes it to a laboratory near Venice. There, a team of experts produce large quantities of the perfume according to her precise formula and strict guidelines. Nothing is left to chance.
Asked to design a fragrance for the MINI Gentleman’s Collection, Paola began with the concept of elegance. She wanted to come up with something that was both classic and also current. A fragrance of contrasts, it has something metallic about it but is somehow warm as well. As for the future, there may be a signature fragrance on Paula’s favourite shelf one day.
“It will happen in the future. But while my work is going well, I don’t feel the need to do it. It’s beautiful to have your feet on the ground and take small steps.”
Photo by Rocco Rorandelli.
Photo by Rocco Rorandelli.
"Aromas recall things that you may not want to remember. You can decide not to listen to a song if it makes you sad or it makes you remember a beautiful thing. But you may pass a perfume or odour on the street and you’re not prepared for it. It is beautiful because you can’t control it, you don’t expect it.”
Paola Bottai's work at a glance . . .
Company name: Paola Bottai Createur Parfumeur
Location: Via Archimede, Rome, Italy
Years in business: 5
Select clients: Bullfrog / Carthusia di Capri / MINI / Men's Heritage
Photo by Rocco Rorandelli.
Photo by Rocco Rorandelli.
Photo by Rocco Rorandelli.
Photo by Rocco Rorandelli.
Photo by Rocco Rorandelli.
Photo by Rocco Rorandelli.
This portrait is part of a collaborative series, produced by Freunde von Freunden and MINI and is co-published by Yatzer.com. These features take a personal look at three Italian design talents behind the MINI Gentleman’s Collection – men’s accessories created for the launch of the MINI Clubman. We tell the inspiring stories behind the design, while focusing on the craft used to create these special products. Read the full interview on Freunde von Freunden.
