Antonia’s Flowers is an esteemed American perfume house that was founded by Antonia Bellanca, a highly skilled florist. A connoisseur of art, Antonia pursued her studies in Boston and France, where she encountered the vibrant markets of Aix and Paris. It was there that she discovered a plethora of exquisite flowers, previously only witnessed in classical paintings. Fascinated by varieties such as anemones, poppies, mimosa, and freesia, Antonia experienced a profound appreciation for the beauty of nature.

Upon relocating to New York, Antonia chanced upon a flower shop on Madison Avenue that captivated her attention with its meticulously arranged bouquets. Intrigued, she later discovered that all the flowers had been imported from Europe and that the captivating floral displays were inspired by Flemish flower paintings that she held dear. Drawing inspiration from these encounters, Antonia embarked on a mission to establish her own flower shop in the idyllic location of East Hampton, Long Island — a venture she lovingly named “Antonia’s Flowers.” The shop soon earned a reputation for its extraordinary and imaginative floral arrangements, adorning the garden parties, weddings, and restaurants frequented by East Hampton’s affluent residents.

Constant exposure to the world of flowers heightened Antonia’s sensitivity to the diverse scents they emitted. Her particular fascination with freesia sparked a quest to find a perfume that could accurately capture the captivating aroma of this delicate flower, harmoniously blending it with other exquisite floral notes. However, unable to find such a fragrance, she resolved to create one herself. In 1982, Antonia commenced her collaboration with a skilled perfumer, leading to the introduction of the house’s signature scent, Antonia’s Flowers, in 1985. This fragrance garnered considerable success, prompting Antonia to retire from the flower shop in 1990.

Subsequent to this triumph, Antonia continued to expand her olfactory collection, unveiling additional scents such as Floret (1995) and Tiempe Passat (1999). The most recent addition, Sogni del Mare, is a unisex fragrance that was introduced in 2007. Antonia’s Flowers, as a designer brand, boasts a collection of six captivating perfumes, with the earliest edition being crafted in 1985 and the most recent in 2013. Collaborating with renowned perfumers Bernard Chant and Norbert Bijaoui, Antonia Bellanca ensured that each fragrance epitomized excellence and sophistication.