An Olfactory Legacy: Fitz-James Stuart's First Fragrance Collection

With Episodio Uno: The Unseen, Fitz-James Stuart debuts in haute perfumery - a collection of four fragrances inspired by the history and aesthetics of the House of Alba.

Behind the Spanish perfume label are Sofía Palazuelo and Fernando Fitz-James Stuart, descendants of the traditional noble Alba family. The house is one of the oldest noble families in Spain and has shaped art, culture and diplomacy for centuries.

The Palacio de Liria in Madrid, the historic family seat of the Dukes of Alba, is at the heart of the brand. Since the 18th century, ten sphinxes have watched over the entrances and gardens - a symbol of the idea behind Fitz-James Stuart: the combination of power and grace as well as past and present. The duo's aim: to create new narratives from this history in the form of fragrances, inspired by the family heritage.

The debut collection comprises four Eaux de Parfum: "No Time for Roses", "La Hora Nocturna", "Quince Días de Abril" and "Unseen 1785" - all composed by the renowned Spanish perfumer Alberto Morillas. His signature lends the fragrances a warm, Mediterranean elegance. For Morillas, the project was also a personal return to his roots: inspired by art, childhood memories and the special atmosphere of Spanish palaces.

No Time for Roses – A tribute to Rosario Falcó

"No Time for Roses" pays tribute to Rosario Falcó - a historical figure from the Spanish aristocracy. She is regarded as a woman who was ahead of her time and challenged social conventions. Alberto Morillas describes the fragrance as an ode to her strength and independence: creamy sandalwood and warm benzoin resin form the heart of the composition, while geranium and bourbon vanilla provide a soft, floral sweetness.

With this fragrance, I wanted to capture her essence of strength, courage and boldness. In this sensual creation, creamy sandalwood blends seamlessly with the intense aroma of benzoin. Sweet geranium, reminiscent of roses, and the lush richness of Madagascar vanilla leave an enveloping and beguiling scent.

Alberto Morillas

The composition begins with fresh, spicy notes of cedar and rose geranium, followed by a creamy floral heart of jasmine sambac, sandalwood and bourbon vanilla. In the base note, musk, patchouli and benzoin resin provide a warm, balsamic finish and lend the fragrance depth and sensuality.

La Hora Nocturna - A play of light and shadow

Inspired by the sculpture La Hora Nocturna (meaning "The Night Hour") by French sculptor Joseph Michel-Ange Pollet, the fragrance of the same name combines velvety, warm and floral notes. The work depicts a floating female figure - half light, half shadow - who embodies the transition between consciousness and dream. Alberto Morillas interpreted this interplay of light and shadow in a fragrance composition that harmonizes opposites.

To pay homage to Joseph Pollet's sculpture La Hora Nocturna, I was inspired by the play of light and shadow, by the hidden secrets of the night. The resinous warmth of cistus blends with the velvety depth of patchouli and the floral opulence of jasmine to create a fragrance of unexpected sophistication and absolute uniqueness.

Alberto Morillas

"La Hora Nocturna" opens with invigorating notes of bergamot and pink pepper before transitioning into a floral, aromatic heart of jasmine, cistus and cardamom. A base of jasmine sambac, musk and patchouli sensually rounds off the composition and leaves a soft finish.

Quince Días de Abril - Spring in the Palacio de Liria

The creation "Quince Días de Abril" is the olfactory interpretation of spring in the garden of the Palacio de Liria. Alberto Morillas was inspired by a clear April morning, when sunlight falls on dewy petals and the delicate scent of flowers fills the air.

For the creation of Quince Días de Abril, I recreated this refreshing spring morning in the garden of the Palacio de Liria. The sunlight glistened on the dewy petals and the air was filled with the delicate scent of the ephemeral blossoms. 

Alberto Morillas

The top note unfolds a refreshing citrus accord of bergamot, neroli and mandarin. Creamy floral notes of jasmine and orange blossom unfold in the heart, rounded off by the gentle warmth of tonka bean. Musk, Virginia cedar and a subtle hint of tea give the fragrance depth in the base and ensure a warm, spicy-sweet finish.

Unseen 1785 - A neoclassical legacy

The final piece in the collection, "Unseen 1785", is inspired by the Palacio de Liria itself. The building, which was designed in the 18th century by French architect Louis Guilbert and completed by Ventura Rodríguez, combines French elegance with Spanish tradition and is considered a symbol of the cultural flourishing of that era. 

To create Unseen 1785, I immersed myself in the refined elegance of a historic heritage, with the desire to capture the majesty of a place full of sophistication and character. I have intertwined the intensity of black pepper with the warm essence of cardamom to linger together with a velvety base of woods like secrets whispered through time.

Alberto Morillas

The composition opens with the invigorating freshness of lemon and the spicy heat of black pepper. Spicy floral facets of jasmine and cardamom then emerge, accompanied by the dry, slightly smoky nuances of nagarmotha. In the base, warm notes of dreamwood™, musk and sandalwood provide a soft, woody finish.

The new fragrances are available in 100 ml bottles.