A Scent from Capri in Southern Italy—Carthusia (2)

Carthusia—A Scent Carried on the Breeze from Capri (2)

The second part of our interview with Taichi Igarashi of L'ROSEST, which carries Carthusia. This time, we delve into the regional characteristics of Italy, and specifically, 'Why is Southern Italy so wonderful?'

Photo by Jamandfix

Naples is Osaka, Milan is Tokyo?

Fundamentally, people from the 'South' have a scent. Or rather, a fragrance. For people from the 'North,' it's not something I particularly notice. Southern people each have their own unique fragrances. And they are incredibly eager to adorn themselves. I feel that the South is more adept at expressing themselves directly—in that regard.
Even in the way a pocket square is worn, people in the South deliberately wear it to look flashy. In contrast, the North is more subdued. Some people don't wear them at all. It's the same with shirt patterns. The further south you go, the more vibrant the colors become. Perhaps it's because bright colors stand out against the different sunlight.

In terms of sophistication, Milan is honestly the place. However, when it comes to dressing up, the attitude of 'enjoying clothes' as an instinctive desire, and expressing one's way of life through clothing—I feel that such a culture is more deeply rooted in the South.
Fragrance is also an extension of that. There's a certain 'scent of that person.' People in the South have their own fragrances, their own styles. Whether it's cool or not is less important. If it feels good to them, that's enough.

In Milan, the idea that dressing according to trends is stylish constantly lingers, but in Naples and other southern regions, it's completely irrelevant. People dressed in such a trend-driven manner are, conversely, nonexistent.

Even seeing older men chatting on the street, they look effortlessly stylish. Are they dressing with colors, materials, and silhouettes that consider trends? Not necessarily. But it means they all know what's good.
There are still many tailors. They wear high-quality items in their own balanced way. I've recently come to think that this is how it should be.

In contrast, Japan is, in a sense, at the absolute forefront of the world.
When it comes to fashion, especially the sense of mixing high fashion with streetwear among young people, there's nothing else like it anywhere in the world. I think they are the most stylish.
Compared to that, adults in their 40s and 50s probably didn't have enough time to dedicate to fashion during their student days, so those who are interested now tend to follow trends directly. It's less about their own style and more about the current fashion, giving a strong sense of being 'dressed up.' I suppose it can't be helped.

Only when you understand the background can you truly appreciate it.

We are not a large cosmetics company, so we cannot afford extravagant advertising. Instead, we are quite selective about the stores that carry our products. We choose them to some extent, and our staff visit to explain the fragrances.

We aim to sell our products in a way that allows customers to truly understand 'what this product is.' We've decided to stop taking the stance of selling indiscriminately everywhere. We are in agreement on this point with our Italian headquarters.

Given that these are products of considerable value, we hope that those who appreciate fine things will enjoy them.

In Japan, Eau de Toilette is common. Room fragrances are also surprisingly popular. Solid perfumes have recently gained attention.
Mediterraneo is a fragrance that appeals to everyone. For men, there's Io Capri. It's a bit spicy. Personally, I think Ligea is a fragrance for women. It's a very elegantly sweet scent. You could say it's a rich, concentrated fragrance.

The four forms allow you to enjoy your favorite fragrance anytime, anywhere, integrated into your lifestyle—for example, using Eau de Toilette or Eau de Parfum for daily use, solid perfume for travel, and room fragrance at home, even if it's the same scent. We hope to spread this concept.