I'm so excited to hear Farmacia Santa Maria Novella has landed in Hong Kong, but where is it hiding? I've loved its Melograno products forever and it would be such a relief not to have to deal with carrying from Rome or getting the liquid stuff delivered to Hong Kong.
Hail Mary, Stanley
The Dictator rules: For such an enthusiastic fan, you really do have a lot wrong. Sure, Officina Profumo - Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella does have boutiques in Rome and many other locations, but it was founded in Florence in 1612. On the scale of your insignificant existence, your years of dedication to its products may seem like 'forever' but it's barely a blip in the brand's almost 400-year history. I cannot fault you, however, on your love of its sophisticated Melograno scent. Although it means 'pomegranate', the aroma is far from fruity, cloying and sweet; it's aldehydic (that's powdery to perfume plebs) in a classic, old fashioned, clean sort of way. You can now stock up on your favourites at its new, one and only Hong Kong store (IFC Mall, Central, tel: 2295 0326). It has a surprisingly comprehensive range of its classic products (about HK$100 and up) neatly arranged within the rather tight space. The selection includes: Melograno soap for delicate skin (HK$180 and up); the Melograno scented candle (HK$350 and up); Melograno shampoo for dry hair (HK$500); and Melograno eau de cologne (HK$1,080). Within weeks of opening, the shop sold out of the gorgeous Scented Terracotta Pomegranate (HK$600) but you can expect a new delivery around, oh, Christmas. Speaking of which, the prettily packaged Talborina talcum powder would make a lovely pressie and, yes, it's available in Melograno, as well as Gardenia, Iris, Rosa or Vetiver (HK$400).
This doesn't even make sense to me, so I'm ready for some abuse, but I'm certain I saw a girl in London wearing false eyelashes in shapes I've never seen before. I could have sworn they were zebras. And, no I was not on anything at the time.
Seeing Things, Kennedy Town