Palio: Prize for Winner

01/28/09 06:32:40

Palio, a recent launch and the first fragrance from American designer Lorenzo Siena, was created for men and inspired by the Italian city of Siena (which is also Lorenzo’s last name). After his visit to that glorious Tuscan city, the creator added a few finishing touches to the fragrance.

Palio means both ‘winner’ and ‘prize’ in Italian, and the composition’s name is directly related to the city’s famous horse racing event, Palio di Siena. The fun and colorful event is typically held in Siena twice a year – July 2 and August 16.

All 17 neighborhoods of the city participate in the event. The race, first officially established in mid - 17th century and known as a popular sporting event in Italy from the ancient times, remains unchanged to this day. The event takes place right on the central piazza of the city, Piazza di Campo. Palio di Siena lasts a mere 90 seconds from start to finish, yet the race is quite dangerous: the route the riders have to take is very difficult, full of sharp twists and turns, plus the participants constantly try to outsmart and outdo each other. All of that is followed by a month-long lavish celebration in honor of the current winner, after which the preparations for the next year’s race begin.

Palio is a fragrance full of adrenalin, rife with emotions, filled with the happiness of winning. Palio possesses a southern temperament and, of course, it glorifies tradition, steeped in history, but very much alive after all these years. Lorenzo himself describes his perfume as a certain "memory recall".

The rich woody fragrance takes you in its tender yet confident arms and right away you can feel something truly eternal and yet very familiar in its intricate bouquet. The composition remains true to character all the way to the final note, yet it instantly catches your attention with originality and the harmonious balance of its notes, which together make up a classic bouquet of an admirably collected calmness.

Flowers (an oily droplet of rose, forming a beautiful trio with lily-of-the-valley and jasmine) are highlighted by sunny citrus and pineapple notes and further softened by patchouli and warm sandalwood. Later, musk enters the scene to entice us with its velvety touch and the fragrance transforms into an oriental, becomes warmer and more vibrant. Women’s expectations from men are typically pretty conservative and Palio doesn’t disappoint us here, acting like a real seducer with experience: making you wonder, enveloping you, lulling you with its tender flowers and the softness of it woody notes. However, not once does it make us doubt its true masculinity. Italiano vero.

Lorenzo Siena is preparing to launch a fragrance for women, due out later this year.