DDF: I wanted a heterogeneous fragrance because I am Italian, French, Moroccan and I lived in Brazil. We mixed bergamot, which is very Italian, with sandalwood for its smoky, sharp note, and the intensity of orange blossom. The result is beautiful, and I wear this fragrance as if it were a second skin.
What is your relationship with perfumes? How much do you put on, when and where do you spray it?
SVF: Perfume is a presence – a way of being there without being there. We have all had a similar experience of sensing someone, even when they’ve already left the room.
DDF: I use a lot of creams and have never worn a perfume [before this collection]. I was waiting to create a fragrance that was truly personal – like a hallmark. For me, perfumes are a chemical signature, they leave an imprint.
As a designer, what value do you place on perfume?
SVF: I like the idea of talking about myself through a process of creation. There is always the excitement of seeing that the final product expresses exactly what I had in mind. When it comes to a perfume, it’s hard to identify it before it’s created – it’s an idea that you can’t draw.
DDF: As with jewellery, the more you wear a fragrance, the more beautiful and personal it becomes. It takes on the scent of your skin and personality. With a fragrance you can change your identity to tell a different story. It’s like the ultimate, everyday accessory.
Is there anything you would like to turn into a perfume?
SVF: We started with the concept of intimacy, and what is more intimate than family feelings? The fragrances are not only inspired by, but also dedicated to, those presences that are important to us, not only today but also in the past. We wanted to address different generations and tell different periods of Fendi’s history.
DDF: My twins, whose perfume is La Baguette. I recognise them in the softness of the fragrance, sweet and less sweet. I love its fluidity, neither feminine nor masculine, but childlike. Not neutral, but innocent.
