The Abama fragrance, designed by Angela Ciampagna, is a sophisticated tribute to nature. It's inspired by clean notes of wood, the refreshing cool of the ocean, the serenity of rolling hills and the refined comfort of Abama's public and private spaces.
The result of hours of expert reflection by her perfume company but also from a workshop with the Abama staff, the fragrance is a citrus-based scent with notes of sandalwood and delicate musk, rich in nuance. Unique in its composition, this fragrance will not only perfume our halls, rooms and common areas of our South Tenerife resort, but will soon be available in candles and diffusers for those who want to take home a reminder of Abama.
In our interview, Ciampagna explained how the Abama fragrance was created and why it's so important for brands to define their own scent.
What goes into creating a perfume?
Technique, creativity, sensitivity and research. Perfume is invisible, but holds great power.
How was the Abama fragrance developed?
In order for us to create the framework for the Abama fragrance, the resort staff told us stories about life here, explained its history, shared the importance of the beach and the expectations of the people who come to the resort. The first thing we did was an olfactory test to create a palette of scents, and then a note would emerge with each idea. For example, the Abama team guided me through the resort and gave me information about the kind of people that live here or visit, what they want, what scents they bring into their homes. There were clean notes of wood combined with contemporary building materials and spaces that evoked transparency and light. From there we created a narrowed palette of scents with concepts like elegance, refinement, singularity, internationality, and of course, the unique touch of the Canary Islands.
What was the result of the first combination?
It was a fruity green fragrance with notes of vetiver and the transparency of musk. The top notes of the Abama fragrance are slightly citric yuzu, lemon, and bergamot, with a green touch of cactus that leads into a barely perceptible floral breeze of jasmine and frangipani. The heart is an abundant basket of tropical fruits framed with green fig leaves that accompany a woody, ambery base of tolu and labdanum, ending with an aromatic tail of mint, rosemary, basil, and Canary pine incense.
When did you bring in the Abama staff?
On top of the base created in my perfume house, Label, we added the special touch of the professionals who manage Abama. We prepared a traveling laboratory and brought it to the resort for a workshop in which they had a palette at their disposal that could "follow the note": about 50 different raw materials that would add a personal touch to the Abama special base created by us. The palette included native raw materials, but also more complex chords previously prepared at Label, like the scent of salt, a bouquet of white flowers, macarons, etc. It was really a "multinez" effort, and the twenty bottles and formulas created by the Abama team went through an internal selection process to choose the final formula. It was a unique methodology that generated a rich and multifaceted perfume that is both elegant and modern, and gives the ambiance a timeless touch.
Let's talk a little about you: how did you enter the fragrance world?
Even as a child, I paid a lot of attention to scents, to perfumes, and to their secret language. After my university studies, I took specialist courses in Italy and abroad. My training as a nez is very transversal; I don't come from the French academic world. After my first experiences, I started getting commissions and had the opportunity to deal with production companies. I also studied distillation and extraction techniques in an Italian food-flavoring company.
How did you decide to create Label?
My life and work partner, Enrico Maraffino, and I decided to invest all our savings in launching a high-end artisanal perfume house to create limited editions with rare raw materials and new chords. Our company, Label, was born in Italy in 2010 with the objective of revisiting the ancient techniques of the European houses of the early 20th Century and adding modern techniques. When we moved the headquarters to Tenerife in 2019 we took a leap of faith...a leap that, even in the right conditions, isn't one that can be made without a dose of madness.
As perfumers, you've received a number of accolades...
Our company's style stood out from the moment it was founded, and in 2018 we were awarded Best Niche Brand at the FiFi Awards in Russia. And on a personal level, this year, I received a honor that fills me with pride. I have been appointed official ambassador of "Bergamotto di Reggio Calabria," something that makes me particularly happy because there are truly passionate professionals behind this academy, and they are carrying forward the culture and techniques linked to one of the main ingredients in the perfumer's palette.
Why does a place like Abama need its own fragrance?
Enhancing brand identity through an olfactory architecture is about recognizing the tremendous power of this sense and the direct and deep connection between the nose and the brain. To understand the power of the smells that surround us, here’s a fact: human beings remember 35% of what they smell versus 5% of what they see. Through smells, we can generate a deeper connection between an idea we want to narrate and the people we want to narrate it to, and communicate the values of a place like Abama through a flow of smells that we associate with wellbeing, elegance, refinement, and raw nature.
What do the Canary Islands smell of?
The smell of the Canary Islands is very particular and as there are different microclimates, it leads down several olfactory paths. The smell of ozone is very strong; as soon as you approach the ocean shore, the vital force of the waves introduces the smell of seaweed, moss, and salt. Moving forward a little, you find the traditional buildings with doors, stairs, and porches that smell of saffron, incense, and precious woods. The smell of tropical fruit is present too - throughout the year - with its sweet and vanilla aromas and fresh green notes.
A blend of natural essences and the fruit of intense teamwork, the Abama fragrance is capable of transporting you back to the island's landscapes no matter where you are, and connecting you to the emotional core of Abama Resort Tenerife.
