It’s probably not a secret that I am fascinated with the Borgia family. Cesare was a cardinal, the Duke of Valentinois, Papal Gonfalonier, one of the inspirations for Machiavelli’s The Prince, one of Leonardo DaVinci’s patrons, as well as being the original “man in black”. For a man that only lived to age thirty-one, this is quite a lot of living.

For his fragrance, I chose bergamot and herbal accords, plums, a spice accord, sage, rosemary, basil, thyme and lavender in the heart. Leather, dark woods, oak absolute and a silky animalic musk in the base.