Sunday Times 2
Lavinia blooms with aroma of love
View(s):Mount Lavinia Hotel launches a seductive fragrance; Bollywood Queen Karisma Kapoor moved by its romantic legacy
The Mount Lavinia hotel is a brand synonymous with tradition, heritage and romance in Sri Lanka.
It has garnered a well deserved reputation over the years for its exceptional service, magnificent structure and ambience, the old world charm which harks back to the grandeur of old Ceylon. Its romantic legacy is the beautiful story of eternal intimacy between Governor Thomas Maitland and Lovina Aponsuwa, a beauty that history compares to a Greek goddess. She was of mixed complexion, with dazzling hazel brown eyes and long flowing jet black tresses.
Within the portals of his glorious residence which he later named “Mount Lavinia” in dedication to her, Thomas Maitland first set eyes on this beautiful Mestizo dancer and instantly fell in love with her. The exquisite perfume “Lavinia” has been created to celebrate 210 years of this beautiful love story filled with romance, intrigue, mystery and secret assignations through hidden passageways and tunnels.
Romance, intrigue and seduction formed the theme for the launch. The poolside terrace and Governor’s restaurant of the historic Mount Lavinia Hotel played host to the event and were transformed by the event planners The Lifestyle Co. to create a feeling of vintage romance and beauty.
The venue was divided into different areas each creating a different feel and variation of theme. Floral accents, reflecting those used in the composition of the Lavinia perfume formed a key part of the decor and created the mood and theme of forbidden love and seduction.
These notes are also combined in the heady seductive scent of the fragrance created exclusively for Mount Lavinia Hotel by Slovenian perfumer and artist Eva Petric, who was part of the celebration. The considered approach to fragrance has been much in keeping with the traditions of the Mount Lavinia Hotel, a brand determined to keep authentic legacy at its heart.
The fragrance with hints of floral accents is a mysteriously seductive and provocative scent. Sensual jasmine notes paired with playful mandarin and orange fruits and yellow musks have all been blended in to create an intoxicating fragrance. The addictive fragrance opens with a vibrant splash of bergamot, juicy mandarin and orange. At its core, white jasmines have been accented with petit grain, tonka beans and a dash of pepper drizzled in the tangy sweetness of mandarin for a mouthwatering signature; while yellow musk and viola combine to leave a lush, lasting impression. Lavinia will soon be available for purchase in Sri Lanka.
Karisma Kapoor, one of Bollywood’s most recognizable stars, made a spectacular entrance to thunderous applause from guests, as she spoke of “how truly honoured she was to be a part of this incredible event and how moved she was by the beautiful love story being celebrated.”
Exquisite culinary creations, low lighting, candelabras filled with long tapered candles, a romantic Gazebo parfumerie, life size perfume bottles with Lavinia dancing within, all combined to create a magical evening to celebrate the launch of the seductive Lavinia fragrance and a romance for the ages.
