IT'S SO FRAGRANT MY NOSE BURNS

A Florentine perfume maker named Lorenzo Villoresi is apparently hot nowadays. Celebrities Sting, Madonna, Cherie Blair and Ridley Scott have been buying their fragrances from Villoresi under the impression that it is likely that they won’t smell like anybody else. Now, how’s that for uniqueness?

The 47-year old perfumer makes his masterpieces at a 15th century palazzo in Italy and does not run any retail shops. And no, his website www.lorenzovilloresi.it does not sell it either. That’s how difficult it is to get to him. However, some swanky department stores do market his brand, such as Merz Apothecary in Chicago and Profumo in Milan.

This is good only and only IF you’re a die hard perfume fan. Or if you value your uniqueness too much you’d be willing to sell a leg to get it. For on the shelf fragrances, a 30mm crystal bottled eau de toilet would cost you 340 euros (Php 22, 372) [note: 1 euro= 65.80 pesos], while you’ll lose 125 euros (Php 8,225) off your wallet if you prefer it placed in a glass bottle.

If you want your own concoction, it will cost you your soul. For a 100mm fragrance in a glass bottle, you need to dish out 600 euros (Php39,840). If you prefer a crystal bottle in a leather case, it will be 830 euros (Php 54,614). Refills will cause 300-euro (Php19,740) damage.

Such is the price you have to pay to be a rose among thorns, or rather to be a sheep among wolves. If you ask me, I’d rather settle for Baby Bench’s Bubble scent at Php45. But hey, who am I to judge these celebs? And I really can’t blame Villoresi for making his so-called “gift” a business. Somebody’s buying anyway.