Bogue Profumo
An Italian house by architect-perfumer Antonio Gardoni, who builds scents like rooms.
Italy
About Bogue Profumo
Bogue Profumo is the independent, artisanal perfume label of Italian architect Antonio Gardoni, a self-taught perfumer who still practises both professions side by side.
History
Gardoni came to scent through plants rather than perfume. A “crush on nature” led him to chop, extract and experiment with raw materials, and then to organic chemistry textbooks to answer the questions his trials raised. His first official perfume drew an unexpected wave of attention and sample requests from around the world. He describes architecture as the physical counterweight that his perfumery needs.
Philosophy & Signature Style
Gardoni puts old techniques to contemporary use: he steeps resins, woods, roots and metals in alcohol to prepare aromatic infusions, steam-distils essential oils himself and prefers to work at night, which he explains as a way to keep light from affecting his materials and to let the smells of the day fade. From architecture he takes the habit of building in layers and thinking by subtraction, so each perfume becomes a room with its own mood, texture, light and colour. He also likes to set ingredients against their “enemies,” looking for balance through small clashes.
Iconic Fragrances (or Did You Know?)
The Bogue line includes MAAI, O / E, MEM and COME, alongside bespoke work under Bogue TAILOR. Gardoni also composed AEON 001, released without the perfumer’s name at his own suggestion, and Tyrannosaurus Rex for Zoologist.
