Lorenzo Villoresi works out of a gorgeous atelier in Via de Bardi close to the Ponte Vecchio overlooking the Arno River in Florence.  I (Lisa) was privileged enough to go to his atelier and meet with Lorenzo Villoresi a couple of years ago.  He is one of the few independent perfumers in the world today who creates everything from the fragrance, to the bottles, to the stoppers.  A self-taught perfumer he began creating oils and essences as gifts to friends but then the friends began to become more demanding.  He began studying and learning how to mix ingredients and construct a fragrance.

On his first visit to the Middle East in 1981, Villoresi developed a passion for spices and essences that he could use in his perfumery.  His first real order came from the house of Fendi in 1990 for pot-pourri, scented candles and room fragrances after a friend of a friend who worked for Fendi came in for a custom-made fragrance.  In 1993, his brand was introduced.  The first two fragrances were Uomo (man) and Donna (woman).  Next came monothematic fragrances Musk, Sandalo, Patchouli, Incensi, Spezie, Vetiver and Wild Lavender.  Following were the “Fantasy Fragrances” which were inspired by olfactory visions and include Piper Nigrum, Teint de Neige, Dilmun, Yerbamate, Alamut and Iperborea.  His fragrances were first stocked at Fortnum & Mason in London even before he was stocked in Florence.  His fragrances are now sold in over 30 countries.

In 2006 Lorenzo won the international perfumery award “Prix Coty” in Paris.  This award is the most prestigious award that can be given to a perfumer - recognizing the perfumer’s achievements spanning their career.

He is currently building an Academy of Perfume in Florence.