Maria Letizia Longo

Arômantique

Perfumer

New emotions revealed through essences

Maria Letizia creates personalised, health-conscious scents
She believes essential oils help people reconnect with themselves and regain energy
She works with vegetation sourced from Tuscany

Maria Letizia Longo believes that every mood and every moment in life has its own scent. "The ability to smell is our most instinctive and sincere sense, as it is not mediated by rationality. This is why scents affect us directly and can trigger immediate and sometimes unexpected physiological reactions," she says. In 2014, during a difficult time in her life, Maria Letizia experienced a sense of renewal through essential oils. This turning point led her to leave her career as an architect and dedicate herself to creating customised essences that support wellbeing. Her atelier, Arômantique, is located in the centre of Florence and holds a treasure trove of scents and aromas. "Through essences, people from all over the world discover new emotions and regain balance. Even happiness has its own essence, and it is different for each of us," Maria Letizia explains.

Interview

What is the magic of essential oils?: Essential oils have a language that opens the unconscious. They give voice to our emotional needs and set them free, which leaves us lighter and happier. Essence requires time – it asks us to listen to ourselves before revealing new awareness.
How do you express tradition and innovation in your works?: Tradition comes through the use of raw natural materials, just as perfumes were made in the 1500s. Innovation means reviving the original meanings of the plants from which the essential oils are derived.
What are your sources of inspiration?: Emotions. When I meet a person, I try to understand their emotional needs by observing their reactions to different essences. Every experience inspires me and teaches me something new. I am always learning and discovering new forms of alchemy.
What do you love most about your craft?: I feel happy when people thank me for choosing to do this work. Essential oils have a language that is able to rekindle the spark of life. They help us listen to ourselves and understand our emotions.

Maria Letizia Longo is an expert artisan: she began her career in 2015