Imperio Lusso Italy 24 K and Conversation with Piero Calandra

by: Sandra Raicevic Petrovic

Imperio Lusso Italy was launched in 2012, and the creative legend from he Calandra family originates from 1900, when the family started with sports vehicle design, and then embarked on household furnishings. The first fragrance of the collection Imperio Lusso Italy was named 24 K and represents, according to the house: " the best of Italian glamour and opulence in a fragrance." The inspiration for the first perfume comes from a passion for the design, quality and excellence characteristic of Italy and Italian fashion.

The goal of the brand is to offer high quality, luxurious products characterized by solid and elegant compositions. By leaning on experience in creativity and quality, the Calandra family decided to create an elegant perfume brand, an exclusive handcrafted product made by dedicated professionals. The aim was to create a classic product of elegant and modern design.

The first fragrance Imperio Lusso Italy 24 K was created to imitate society and glamour from 1900 up till the 21^st century. Genuine gold can be found in the flacons of the fragrance in the form of tiny leaves touching the perfume. The composition of the perfume opens with a feminine and sparkling union of lime, tangerine and peach, creating a juicy cocktail which combines sunny citruses with velvety peach. The heart adds aromas of timeless rose playing with sassy pink pepper, while the finish leaves a warm, creamy trail by blending sandalwood, vanilla, cedar, amber and musk.

I speak with Piero Calandra of the Calandra family, who is in charge of launching the perfume collection as well as the entire design of the first women’s fragrance and the idea to make luxury more accessible.   Sandrina: The flacon of your first fragrance, 24 K, features genuine gold leaves. Tell us more about the idea of gold connected to perfume.   Piero Calandra: Yes, inside there are pure 24K gold leaves. We have inlcuded gold in it to give the fragrance elegant design and high quality finish. The logo on the bottle also has gold engraved on it. It gives a complete luxury finish to the design.   Sandrina: The idea to use 24k gold in perfume bottles singles you out from the others. Why is that so?  Piero Calandra: Why did I decide to fill the bottles with gold? Well, everyone would like to have gold on their skin, which is something unique. I tried to create something diferent with a diferent package at a good price for the public. A perfume that you have at home, which you can admire with or without the box. Something that is part of the elegance in someone's house.   Sandrina: Tell me more about your family’s talents and innovations in the field of design.   Piero Calandra: Our family´s talented background goes back to the mid-1900s in Italy when our great grandfather and grandfather designed and manufactured vehicles and household furniture on a small scale for their local market. Innovative aspects of their designs with great emphasis on quality and trends was always their main focus and this talent has been handed down through the genes to the next generations. Sandrina: What does the Calandra family do nowadays?   Piero Calandra: Today, one family member still holds up that tradition to a certain degree as he is designing unique sports cars, whereas myself, his offspring, inspired by the family talents,  decided to enter the glamorous world of sophisticated perfumes and coming from Italian decendants, we understand elegance and quality. Sandrina: Italy is the unfailing source of inspiration, in the field of design, as well as in music, fashion and perfumes. You also found inspiration in Italy!   Piero Calandra: High fashion has always been a great inspiration for the family, myself included, so I decided to focus on the perfume market. In 2012 I decided to take on the world of fine and exclusive frangrances and guided by the immensely talented father, I set out to produce one of the most elegant and sophisticated perfumes for women. Later this year we should be launching a fragrance for men, as well.   Sandrina: What differentiates you from the other brands who announce elegant and sophisticated fragrances for women? Piero Calandra: Well, I can say everything, but why not create something different with the aroma, something elegant, high quality, a classic design and reasonable price? We always think that big brands are better because they are better known or more expensive, but that just isn't true. There are great fragrances in the market, but if it's a great fragrance, it has a poor package and the other way round. With this model, 24K, we have given the public all what they need in one perfume.   Sandrina: Which perfumes would you single out as your favorites?   Piero Calandra: As for women's fragrances I have to admit that Givenchy Dahlia Noir is a great perfume, and for men I have always used YSL L'homme. They have managed to find the perfect balance between top notes and base notes.   Sandrina: Can men expect a perfume from your house?   Piero Calandra: Yes, of course! Until the end of this year we should launch the first fragrance for men, too.   Sandrina: Thank you for the conversation! We are expecting exclusive information on the edition for men!

IMPERIO LUSSO ITALY 24 K for Women lime, tangerine, peach rose, pink pepper sandalwod, cedar, musk, amber, vanilla

Fragrance 24 K has been available in glass flacons with gold since January 25, 2015. During this April you will be able to purchase perfume 24 K at the price of 83,28 eur, with free postage, on the official website of Imperio Lusso.