Bulgari's fruity-floral fragrance ushers in the woman of summer

Hot and sticky days and nights make one yearn not only for lighter dress but also for a lighter fragrance. How does one go about being properly scented in the humidity? To start, aim to smell like a lady, not a baby. Look for a light, refreshing fragrance — one that makes a feminine statement but subtle enough so it won’t suffocate your date or elevator-mates. I’ve never been a big buyer of fragrances, stubbornly clinging to my favorite scent for years, a warm and woodsy parfum, when suddenly one day last April, in a surge of inspiration (or a fervent wish for a new life), I took a whiff of an eau de toilette given by a friend, which had just been sitting quietly, ignored, on my shelf for months. And lo and behold, just like they say, scent is the ultimate mood enhancer, not to mention the powerful effect it has on behavior. The fragrance of soft tropical flowers wafted through, and I was different, transformed. Hopeful even. Whenever I spritzed, my thoughts ranged from “Today is a good day” to “I love summer” to “These are the best days of my life.” Yes, all that goodness, from a bottle. In hard times, you learn to get happiness from the simple things.

Master perfumer: “My work is about dreams. I create dreams combined to brands,” says Omnia Coral’s creator Alberto Morillas

So I considered it another universe-conspiring moment when YStyle received an invitation to attend the launch of a new fragrance from Bulgari, a three-day launch event for Asian press at the trendy W Retreat in Koh Samui. My summer was starting out just fine indeed. Our small, four-member media team, together with our host Luxasia’s Sigrid Villamil, arrived in style (not without some hitches in the form of missing luggage, but that’s another story) at W’s tropical escape in Thailand, on a cool February evening. We were warmly welcomed at the property’s stunning lobby, an open lounge with the sea and sky as backdrop. “Jackpot,” Preview beauty director Agoo Bengzon (she of the waylaid luggage) whispered, as we were being handed fragrant cold towels. The mood was cool and sexy in trademark W style, but adapted for Samui’s easy tropical luxe. I had my eye on the outdoor sunken circular seating, a perfect spot for sunset happy hour, when my trance was interrupted because we were running late for the scheduled massage at the property’s Away spa.

And then there were the rooms. I was sorry to step out of mine and leave the perfection of my bedroom with its open bathroom, private patio and pool, but next on the agenda was a casual cocktail-infused welcome dinner from our hosts. What transpired was the most indulgent night of exciting pass-arounds, with dishes like wagyu skewers and individual bowls of foie gras (or vegetarian) fried rice (actually they weren’t really meant to be for one). I believe they served close to 10 dishes, but I can’t quite recall. Did I mention the cocktails?

The nose knows: The Omnia Coral's fruity-floral note is a first for Bulgari. Ingredients include bergamot, pomegranate and goji berries.

Bulgari certainly knows how to launch a fragrance. The event and presentation that took place on the following night reflects the elegance and artistry that embodies the jewelry house. Omnia Coral comes from the collection of Bulgari’s Omnia fragrances (Crystalline and Amethyste). This floral-fruity eau de toilette was inspired by the rare red coral gemstone, and is all about “vibrant vitality.” It was designed for the younger woman, with her energy and joie de vivre, ready to embrace summer. The pinkish-orange coral is apparently a symbol or good luck as well, a talisman and a miracle of nature.

The sensuality and beauty surrounding the Omnia Coral fragrance certainly made us all want to be their muse — she of the sweet-smelling radiant sun-kissed skin, hair slicked back (with water, not product) to reveal naturally chiseled cheekbones, serenely dipping into cool tropical waters in some eco-luxe retreat, like a green goddess in the jetsetter generation. 

Creator of the fragrance Alberto Morillas comes from the old generation of perfumers who handwrites their formulas. “When I write a formula I can smell it,” he says. The esteemed Spanish-born, Swiss-based master perfumer shares how he came to create it: “Omnia Coral came after I saw this very beautiful piece of Bulgari coral jewelry I was struck by this stone, much more sensual, more intimate, more feminine. I immediately put it together with the hibiscus flower, which is very fragile and beautiful. It does not really have a scent, but it evokes great femininity. I brought bergamot into the blend for its freshness, and added Goji berries, which have this fresh, flavorful slight acidity.”

“The fragrance is prolonged by pomegranate,” adds Morillas, “which is so Mediterranean. All these associations are evocative of a new woman, very exotic. She reminds us of holiday vacations, of faraway lands. This is the first time Bulgari has created a fruity note, but fruity in a very Bulgari way!”

It’s a fragrance that can transport you — luxurious like coral, fresh like water, sweet like the scent of ripening fruit. If you can’t do the actual life change to lounge like a golden goddess on vacation, you can still smell like it.

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Omnia Coral is available in 25 ml, 40 ml and 65 ml and is accompanied by body lotion (100 ml) and gentle body scrub (100 ml). Available at all major department stores.