Vranjes Firenze perfumer Eleonore Beurnier reveals how Florence inspires the creation of luxurious fragrances. Discover the stories behind scents that blend art, tradition, and emotion.
by Kristina Mikulić GazdovićDecember 25, 2025
Florence is one of those rare cities you simply have to visit at least once in your lifetime. The fusion of art and the Italian way of life, which always celebrates life’s little pleasures, can still be felt in every corner. My first visit to Florence exceeded all my expectations. Beyond being a true delight for lovers of Renaissance masterpieces, the fact that so much can be explored on foot is both practical and profoundly human. Adding to its charm are the gelaterias open at one in the morning. Where else but Florence can you enjoy a midnight gelato? It’s the perfect way to indulge and explore the city in silence while everyone else sleeps – with just a few others, whose sweet cravings have also awakened, roaming the streets in the dead of night, soaking up the energy of this central Italian city under the moonlight. Whether by day or after sunset, Florence easily captivates.
It was no surprise, then, how effortlessly I was drawn to the fragrances of Vranjes Firenze. Perfumer Eleonore Beurnier draws inspiration directly from this romantic and vibrant city.
Photo: Keegan Leveritt
“Florence always inspires me. It’s a place where art and science, tradition and innovation just flow together. Every corner seems to have its own texture and scent: warm stone, leather workshops, iris flower, Florence’s emblem, even the distinctive taste of a Spritz, captured in our Tintinnio perfume. But Florence isn’t just about the city, there’s also the nature and countryside that surround it. For Meriggiare, I drew inspiration from the idea of lying under a linden tree, with the scent of its blossoms carried by the wind.That’s the feeling behind Firenze in Translation: each Eau de Parfum translates into scents a moment captured in Florence” she explains as I try the latest line, Firenze in Translation.
I notice that many of the notes I’m experiencing are perfect for colder weather. “Vanilla, patchouli, amber, smoked leather; opulent scents that linger on your scarf for hours. I love how they warm you on cold days. In our Firenze in Translation collection, Intrigo and Chiaroscuro embody exactly this feeling: Intrigo with its oud-leather accord, and Chiaroscuro with its creamy tonka bean”, Eleonore adds..
Curious, I ask if these scents are meant for any season, or how perfumers approach pairing fragrances with the time of year. “I think the idea of “seasonality” in perfume is a bit dated; you should choose perfumes based on what you like and what you want to smell at that moment. If you want to wear a big, opulent amber perfume in summer, why shouldn’t you? I’d say go for it. And of course, depending on the temperature and humidity, a perfume will never smell the same on cold days as it does on hot ones”, she explains, adding that there are no scent notes she would never combine, because “Sometimes the most unexpected contrasts can reveal the most beautiful harmonies. Many great perfumes were born when perfumers dared to go off the beaten path”. She also mentions that she dislikes emphasizing the divide between natural and synthetic fragrance sources, considering both essential in modern perfumery.
Limiting oneself, she says, can block inspiration. A prime example is Petaloso and its jam-like rose scent, which had an unexpectedly unusual source of inspiration. I wanted to create a rose that wouldn’t be a rose in the traditional sense, but a gourmand one, with thousands of petals – hence the name – coated in sugar, blending into marmalade. An unexpected rose that could appeal to people who don’t usually go for it. A lot of people told me that they love it “even though they don’t usually like rose”, Eleonore proudly explains as I reach to try this enchanting scent. I thought to myself, AI could surely never do this. “AI can be an incredible ally: it helps us analyze data and is very logical but doesn’t have what lies at the core of perfume: creativity and emotion”, Eleonore agrees.
Photo: Yanna Rodrigues
Florence in a Vranjes fragrance is more than just a scent. It’s an entire experience. A moment captured in a Renaissance city, a fusion of art, nature, and human creativity. Through the Firenze in Translation line, Eleonore Beurnier invites us to carry the inspiration and emotion of the city with us, wherever we go.
The article was created in collaboration with the brand Vranjes Firenze.
