Dolce & Gabbana In Love With A Summer Breeze

The sun-soaked days in Capri, this Italian island, are characterised by the rugged limestone landscape, sea stacks, coastal grottoes, including the renowned Blue Grotto, and high cliffs overlooking the sea.  A popular resort destination since Roman times, its natural beauty is something to behold. Also known for local products like Limoncello, it is famous just as much for the scent that blows through the breeze as anything else. Dolce & Gabbana caught the essence of it in perfume, and now, 25 years later, they refresh the offering. Find out more in Dolce & Gabbana In Love With A Summer Breeze

Image on left Hijab Hanif

The sounds of waves lazily going to and from, mesmeric and hypnotising, the scent of sea salt lingers…With it, the sway of lemon trees allows the gentle wind to offer up their fragrant aroma, and both mingle in the air. Dolce & Gabbana’s Light Blue fragrances have transported their wearers since their inception. After 25 years of success, they now find fresh momentum.

As anything Italian can be, these fragrances encapsulate a summer mood on the coast in Italy. Now, after many years, the genius perfumers behind these initial scents have added more intense flacons, while two new perfumes have been added to the iconic collection.

The two original fragrances have been heightened for a longer-lasting elegance. Both have been refined by their perfumers, Olivier Cresp and Alberto Morillas, offering a more captivating and intensified olfactory experience that now lasts for up to 16 hours. The bottle design carries this element through with a frosted bottle with sinuous lines featuring refined silver finishes, while the enamelled blue cap, inspired by the traditional ceramics of the Amalfi Coast, is adorned with the iconic DG monogram.

Firstly, Light Blue Eau de Toilette Femme, created and refined by master perfumer Olivier Cresp, this woody-fruity fragrance reflects sun-soaked days in Capri. The Zesty Lemon and Granny Smith Apple are softened by a delicate floral bouquet, giving way to seductively warm, woody notes of Cedarwood, Musk and Amber. Better still, it is now available in a refillable format. This has also been remodelled by Monsieur Cresp for a longer-lasting, more intense elixir. Here he describes his journey.

‘Dolce&Gabbana Light Blue was created 25 years ago, yet it’s still at the top of its game and high on the bestseller charts. Light Blue has become a true classic in perfumery, but at the same time, it remains incredibly modern, a scent that speaks across generations. It’s one of the very few fragrances that has truly stood the test of time, going beyond trends and seasonal fashions. That’s what being “timeless” means. The reinterpretations of the fragrance have only made it more relevant and contemporary, enhancing its longevity and lasting power, two key themes in today’s perfumery‘.

‘Reworking the original formula was no easy task, especially because it was essential to preserve the olfactive identity and the DNA of the original fragrance. It required a few subtle technical adjustments that enhanced the lemon’s freshness in the top notes and made the cedarwood in the drydown even more sexy and creamy, resulting in a fragrance that is more diffusive, but above all, fresher and even more sensual than before’.

‘New technologies and innovations have been fundamental in advancing contemporary perfumery, as has the arrival of new ingredients, both natural and synthetic, and new extraction processes. All of this brings new colours, new nuances, and makes the spectrum of creative possibilities even broader’.

Olivier Cresp

Next up, Light Blue Eau de Toilette Pour Homme, which was created and refined by Alberto Morillas, the Woody Aromatic fragrance captures the fresh energy of an Italian holiday through an invigorating blend of Lemon that is perfectly balanced with aromatic notes of Rosemary and sophisticated Patchouli.

This citrus aromatic fragrance is for men and was launched originally in 2007 with top notes of Grapefruit, Bergamot, Sicilian Mandarin and Juniper; middle notes are Pepper, Rosemary and Brazilian Rosewood; base notes are Musk, Incense and Oakmoss. An award winner of the FiFi Award, Fragrance Of The Year Men’s Luxe 2008.

Now it has been reformulated to bring extra strength and longevity whilst still maintaining its scent profile. Not an easy exercise, as it is not simply about adding more of the same notes. It is a delicate balancing act. Here, the nose, Alberto Morillas tells of his journey.

‘The main goal of this restyling was to preserve the olfactory identity of Light Blue Pour Homme while improving its intensity and performance’.

‘Through a series of technical refinements, the fragrance now lasts up to 16 hours on the skin, with amplified top notes and a more intense projection. Yet, the essence has remained intact, the distinctive notes of Sicilian Lemon, Rosemary and Patchouli continue to evoke the unmistakable scents of the island of Capri, capturing its spirit with effortless elegance’.

‘Working on the re-stage of an iconic fragrance like Light Blue pour Homme was both a demanding and challenging task. The most important goal was to update the fragrance by applying a series of technical refinements without altering its olfactory profile, to which so many people are deeply attached. This required time and extensive preliminary work, but the mission was fully achieved. Light Blue pour Homme has undergone a re-stage while remaining true to its authentic essence’.

‘Some technical adjustments have allowed the notes of this fragrance, especially the top notes, to feel amplified, almost more striking. This has not only extended the fragrance’s longevity but also enhanced its projection, while keeping its essence untouched. A scent with greater sillage that brings the dream of an Italian summer on the island of Capri to life, making it even more vivid and realistic’.

Alberto Morillas

But there is more exciting news from Dolce & Gabbana and their perfume offering. Two new scents within the light blue family have arrived in time for summer. Meet Light Blue Capri in Love EDP & Light Blue Capri in Love Pour Homme EDP.

Marina Grande, the main harbour of Capri

The scents are a celebration of Capri, this Italian island, renowned for its stunning natural beauty, dramatic coastline, and glamorous atmosphere. There is the much-visited Blue Grotto ( sea cave ), the iconic Faraglioni rock formations, and its dramatic coastline with high cliffs, hidden coves, and picturesque beaches.  These new perfumed elixirs celebrate the heritage of Capri, introducing more intense and spicy facets to the collection.

Certosa di San Giacomo, a Carthusian monastery founded in 1363

Light Blue Capri in Love EDP is a floral, spicy scent that opens with a cooling Jasmine Tea Note, which falls into a crisp, vital Apple note at its heart, and finally, the Crashendo brings soft spice of Longoza. Longoza is also known as the Phoenix Flower or White Ginger Lily,  a rare and exotic fragrance note derived from the red ginger lily, native to Madagascar. It brings notes of vibrant, sweet, floral, and spice to the perfume as well as the perfect exotic allure to this scent. Created by Emilie Coppermann, who has this ot say about the process

‘An ode to its natural elegance, where delicate Jasmine Tea notes rest upon the crispy embrace of Green Apple, intertwined with the sensual depth of Longoza. The island’s serenity and refinement are captured in every nuance of this composition, crafting a unique and enveloping olfactory journey’.

The creation of the fragrance was a meticulous journey, spanning nearly a year to achieve the perfect balance between freshness and depth. My goal was to stay true to the iconic Light Blue signature, while infusing it with a more intimate, emotional dimension.

The fragrance opens with the juicy crispness of green apple, reflecting Capri’s vibrant energy. In the heart, a delicate jasmine tea note is brightened with the fresh, spicy touch of longoza, adding a lively, elegant feel. Lemon leaves (Capri Vitessence) and Italian bergamot bring a sunny, citrusy burst, while longoza adds a spicy dimension, capturing the spirit and warmth of the island.

Emilie Coppermann

And finally, Light Blue Capri in Love Pour Homme EDP, which was created by perfumer Alexandra Carlin. A Woody Spicy fragrance that opens with the subtle heat of spice-laden Black Pepper evolving into a heart note of Green Capri Fig, which brings lush, green facets, and finally finishes in an elegant, earthy, sophisticated base of Patchouli, adding depth and complexity at the base.

‘It was an honour to work on this iconic perfume. I’ve always loved its citrusy and aromatic freshness. For this new chapter, I wanted to add a sensual and carnal touch. It is a very luminous and masculine fragrance that has kept the citrus and crystalline freshness of the original, with a new sensual dimension. I’ve also spiced up the citrus notes with an overdose of Black Pepper from Madagascar, which is very sparkling and intense’.

Alexandra Carlin

When a revisit is made of a favourite perfume, it must be a labour of love. The same must be said of an added elixir to a family of perfumes that already exist. Here, Dolce & Gabbana have worked with perfume masters to respect and expand this much-loved family

Summer in love in Capri is, let’s face it, the perfect scent to accompany you this season.

Find information at Dolce&Gabbana.com here, and all the scents are available from Boots.com