Perhaps my favourite summer scent of all time, Tom Ford Neroli Portofino from the Private Blend collection is inspired by the beauty and old world glamour of the Italian Riviera resort town. The result is a stunningly vibrant, effervescent fragrance that is pure Mediterranean. So we can’t wait to get our hands on the new for 2016 more intense Forte, and crisper Acqua incarnations.
Coincidentally, right now at this moment I am looking at booking a summer trip to the Italian Riviera. It’s an area once on grand tour itineries that seems to have been sidestepped by the holiday brochures and blurb. Alongside the stunning Portofino jet set, resorts like Alassio and Noli look enticingly beautiful and traditional, and it’s only making me crave the summer more intensely. So the additions to the world of Tom Ford’s Neroli Portofino Collection are timely and very welcome to get me in the mood.
Drawing on the dramatic landscape and sophistication of Portofino, the Neroli Portofino collection expansion includes Neroli Portofino Forte, the lighter Neroli Portofino Acqua and a full collection of bath and body products. The products are packaged in various shades of acquatic blue-green (or should we say azzurro-verde), reminiscent, as if we needed reminding, of the waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
Taking the classic Neroli Portofino as a starting point, the collection tours south to treat our senses to Tom Ford Mandarino di Amalfi with its mandarin oil, lemon, basil spearmint and jasmine; Tom Ford Fleur de Portofino inspired by the white acacia tree with notes of Sicilian Lemon, bigarde leaf, violet leaf, jamine and acacia honey; then on to Tom Ford Costa Azzurra (translating to the French Côte d’Azur) where pines and oaks mingle with wild herbs and salt water.
But the one we can’t wait to get our hands on is the intensification of the original – Neroli Portofino Forte Eau de Parfum; a bold, heightened strand of Neroli Portofino. With a double concentration of its floral core and the introduction of coastal Italian woods and smooth leather to its composition, this promises to be exquisite. Citrus, bergamot, blood orange and lavender; basil, galbanum and neroli mingle with leather, amber and oakmoss absolute, suede and prized musks. Irresistible!
Neroli Portofino Forte Eau de Parfum (50ml – £195, 100ml – £290, 250ml – £445) and Neroli Portofino Forte Acqua Eau de Toilette are available on counters now. Also available this season will be Tom Ford Neroli Portofino body moisturizer, shower gel, body oil, bath soap, deodorant and body spray.
