We introduce you to Sofia and Fabiola Bardelli, two sisters who literally have stars shining in their eyes.
It all began when, as children, their father would take them out into the garden at night, and Sofia and Fabiola became fascinated by the constellations shining in the night sky.
“Little Star / Night is Approaching”
– (Lina Schwarz, De Gregori)
A sky that towered over Lake Maggiore and a magical atmosphere made of very dark evenings, where the stars shone like diamonds in the sky. In their childhood dreams, young Sofia dreamed of traveling to the Moon and Mars, also to see the Earth from a different perspective.
But Sofia didn’t limit herself to just dreaming, with her tenacity and determination, she became a “nose”. The spark for this profession was born after watching a documentary about Grasse: “It became my goal, but it’s not a common thing in Italy. When I was at university, I decided to attend a perfumery school after graduation. I moved to Grasse and there I started my training”.
Returning to childhood aspirations, on the other hand, her sister Fabiola was fascinated by the mysteries of past times. “When I was little, my dream job was to become an “archaeologist, as my favorite subject in school was history. I always liked the” idea of discovering artifacts that would help us understand history and uncover ancient cultures.” Those same cultures that scrutinized the sky and its stars in contemplation of the mysteries of the “universe, seeking inspiration or answers, in a gesture that is the same since” antiquity and that we still perform today.
So how to Bring Together these Passions: Perfume, the past, and the Stars?
“Fly Me to the Moon, Let Me Play among the Stars”.
– (Bart Howard, Frank Sinatra)
In 2020, even though the stars were not aligned for most of the world – given that it was the period of the pandemic – Fabiola and Sofia persevered and launched In Astra, their fragrance brand, with stellar inspiration. After all, the brightest stars in the sky were their guiding forces, encouraging them to follow their dream. A scented dream, because each fragrance represents the emotions that stars can make us experience.
This is how their inspirations were born, let’s discover what they have to tell us.
Antares: the Anticipation of the Epilogue
Antares is the brightest star in the constellation Scorpius, its characteristic red glow has earned it the nickname Heart of the Scorpion. And despite shining so intensely, this massive star is said to be in the final stages of its life. Astronomers predict that Antares is destined to explode in a supernova when the star dies, which could happen tomorrow or many years from now… but don’t worry: it’s too far away to endanger Earth!
The fragrance that bears its name attracts “attention and represents a climax, the reaching of a peak. A grand white floral that is both sweet and spicy, this tenacious perfume will ensure all eyes are on you. Fabiola sees this fragrance as the definition of opulence. ‘With an overdose of tuberose and frangipani that accentuates the warm creaminess of sandalwood, the fragrance portrays the strong personality of the supergiant star’.”
Betelgeuse: an Obscured Star
This Arabic word, interpreted as “the shoulder of the giant”, describes the star found in the constellation of Orion. Here’s another red supergiant star that should explode into a supernova, but no one knows for certain when it will happen. A few years ago, the star unexpectedly dimmed, then returned to its previous splendor, emitting a delicate red-orange hue. Similarly, the fragrance has notes that explode and then fade in an unpredictable dance of green and chypre accords. For the person who likes to have an enigmatic aura, this perfume will fuel a sense of fascination and mystery.
Tistar: the Brightest in the Firmament
Tistar is a Zoroastrian reference to Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky located in the constellation Canis Major, or the Great Dog. Since in Persian cultural legends, stars were said to be the source of water, Sirius was celebrated in some festivals where people playfully sprayed water on each other. During these rituals, celebrants wore a colorful bracelet, reminiscent of the rainbow hues that radiate from this star, especially when it’s low in the winter sky. The fragrance is a sparkling floral aldehyde with musky accords, a perfect scent to celebrate happy moments.
Mismar: the Center of the Firmament
This Arabic word means “the nail” and refers to Polaris, the North Star: the star that has “guided travelers and explorers since ancient times, because it seems to remain stationary while the rest of the sky moves around it. Polaris is located in the constellation of” Ursa Minor, otherwise known as the Little Dipper, and is a multiple star system, appearing as a single star but actually comprising two others.
Fresh and invigorating, the fragrance opens with gin-like notes before slowly warming into an amber and woody accord, evoking a moonlit walk in the woods on a cold winter’s night, with Mismar guiding you. The fragrance pairs perfectly with a grounded individual whose stability warms hearts and offers comfort and reassurance to others.
“and the Stars Were Shining…”
– (Tosca, Puccini)
How to Tell Stories Written in the Stars – through Fragrance?
Stars have extraordinary stories to tell, which In Astra transposes into its fragrances. Fabiola shared details about the concept behind Tistar. “The fragrance is a tribute to the brightness of the star and its multiple hues. We wanted to ‘capture’ its blue-tinged light that is projected in the winter sky.” The fresh citrus accord with hints of aldehydes and eucalyptus paints the kaleidoscopic light effect of this star.
Sofia told us about the creative process in connecting fragrance to stars to tell their story. “I always start with a main raw material that I find most connected to the star’s story, and then the accords follow spontaneously. For example, Betelgeuse is a supergiant star that is, in a sense, coming to an end. I decided to create the fragrance around a disappearing iris, a rather powdery iris that’s a bit “dark, because when there”’s an end, there “’s always” darkness.”
She continued: “Our brand is unique because we are a Made in Italy project, built from scratch, that comes to life from our inspiration – telling the stories of stars – to which we have given shape. We want to bring the emotion of each star to life. Behind each of our fragrances there is comprehensive research: – we study the name, history, shape, color and transpose all these elements into the fragrance – so when you smell the perfume, you can experience through your senses and emotions, the story and inspiration that each star transmits to us and make it your own.”
Indeed, there is a very clear parallel between stars and perfume: stars are constantly evolving, changing gradually, almost imperceptibly. Fragrance unfolds over time, revealing top, heart, and base notes like an ethereal and invisible cloak. Stars are mythical, mystical, and esoteric, while fragrances can have a mysterious and elusive side. Science reveals stars through astronomy, just as science, through fragrances, lifts the veil on the world of scents, to ensure transparent communication.
And Speaking of Communication, What Can the Stars Tell Us? What Can We Learn from Them?
Fabiola believes the experience is multidimensional. “I believe we can learn a lot from stars on different levels, both scientific and philosophical. Stars can teach us resilience and that every difficulty encountered can be overcome: stars must be in balance despite two opposing forces that challenge their equilibrium, constantly undermining their very existence.”
Sofia agrees. “That’s exactly right, stars change, they are constantly disturbed by internal and external factors. It’s a sort of analogy with our life as human beings. And, of course, from the world of stars, there’s also an invitation for all of us to keep shining!”
“I Wonder if the Stars are Lit up so that one Day each one may Find His Own.”
– (Antoine De Saint-ExupéRy, the Little Prince)
We could say that the stars have guided Sofia and Fabiola Bardelli in facing the challenges to bring their brand to market. An obvious obstacle was the pandemic that coincided with the launch moment. But there are others mentioned by Sofia. “Being a young entrepreneur in Italy is already a challenge in itself. It’s sad to say, but there are many stereotypes to overcome when you’re a young professional. However, I think the world is changing and, step by step, tomorrow it will be natural for a woman’s entrepreneurial journey to be considered without gender prejudices.”
What speaks louder than any stereotype is what Sofia and Fabiola have achieved professionally to date to make their dream a reality and tell the story of the universe of stars with In Astra fragrances.
“Predestined to a ‘Stellar Orbit that’ Matters to You, O Star, of Darkness?”
– (F.Nietzsche)
This pair of sisters and entrepreneurs is proof that you can realize your dreams and give shape to your inspiration, having hope and self-confidence in your heart.
Fabiola and Sofia, with In Astra fragrances, take us by the hand and accompany us to scrutinize the firmament and marvel at all the “emotion of the” universe.
And with their story, they inspire us to aim for the sky, express our desire and achieve it without giving up. Per aspera ad astra.