Bulgari Omnia India Garnet ... An Olfactory Voyage to India

Mystical, magical and unique, India has been beckoning visitors from all corners of the world who are curious to experience the multiple facets of the subcontinent.

Apart from its colourful culture and diverse landscape that begins from the sensuous coasts of Goa that neighbours the Arabian Sea to the snow-capped Himalayan mountains, the splendid display of Mogul architecture in form of the Taj Mahal to the elaborately built and decorated temples in the southern part of the country, India is also known as a paradise for gem lovers.

For long, India has been the destination for gem lovers to hunt for precious stones that are not just beautiful but also rare and enchanting, to say the least.

For example, the world famous Koh-i-Noor diamond was mined in Andhra Pradesh, India and now majestically set on the crown of Queen Elizabeth that is currently on display at the Tower of London. Another world-famous gem, the Hope Diamond, was mined in India as well and is currently on display at the Smithsonian Institute of Natural History, Washington D.C.

Following the success of amethyst, coral and rock crystal, Italian contemporary jeweller Bulgari has added a new member into its renowned Omnia fragrance line – the Mandarin Garnet. 

Serving as a modern tribute to the breathtaking beauty of India, Omnia India Garnet by Bulgari invites fragrance connoisseurs to discover India through juxtaposition of colours, textures and aromas.

Concocted by renowned master perfumer Alberto Morillas and conceptualised by Bulgari, Morillas likens a perfume to a collection of saris. However, the inspiration behind it is a masterpiece — Capriccio a Portofino. 

A beautifully crafted one-of-a-kind necklace, the Capriccio a Portofino necklace boasts splendid mandarin garnets carved in the shape of leaves that harks to the traditions of Indian Mughal gems, which in the 17^th century were often carved in foliate pattern.

To evoke the spirit of the mystical subcontinent, Morillas was inspired by strong elements that are emblematic to India – the tuberose and saffron. To link it with Bulgari’s Roman roots, he mingled the hints with Sicilian Mandarin, a delightful citrus fruit known for its mesmerising yet refreshing olfactory appeal. To complete the concoction, Morillas wove the mixture with notes of Osmanthus and Indian woods, giving the fragrance its overall softness and voluptuousness.

As for the orange shade, Morillas explains, “I immediately found myself bathed in the light of India where, in the evening, everything is inflamed in this very distinctive shade of orange as the sun sets. It is a soothing light, slightly nostalgic but also full of hope and sensuality.

"I then composed the accords and each of them reminded me of the colour of a sari, of a precious material. In a way, through this intimate kaleidoscope, I have created my own personal collection of saris, he," he concluded.

Bottled in a sculptural flacon gleaming in the shade of Indian sunset, Omnia India Garnet is the embodiment of femininity, serenity, nobility and elegance – characters that make a bona fide Indian Maharani.

What’s more, a spritz of Omnia India Garnet is enough to revitalise your tired soul while at the same time, taking you into a reverie-filled journey of a fantasy-laden region, filled with utmost frivolity and mystique that has continuously charmed the world since thousands of years ago.

Bulgari Omnia India Garnet is available now at all Bulgari fragrances counters in leading department stores, beauty emporiums, duty-free stores and Bulgari boutiques around the world.

*Photos courtesy of Bulgari