Celebration of Independent Chic design by Laura Gonzalez
LA CALETTA
Acqua di Parma celebrates the essence of independent chic with La Caletta as imagined by Laura Gonzalez, where simplicity becomes sophistication – a summer collection starring the traditional craftsmanship of Bergamotto La Spugnatura Eau de Parfum.
Tucked away beyond the usual paths lies La Caletta: a quiet ledge of stone where the rocks slide gently into crystalline waters. It is an intimate retreat where the almost-secret kind of Italian summer reveals itself in a different register, embracing a form of sophistication that feels both effortless and personal. It is from this spirit that La Caletta, the new Acqua di Parma Summer 2026 Collection, takes its inspiration. An ode to independence, the freedom of choosing one’s own rhythm, and finding elegance in restraint and gestures that are unmistakably authentic.
THE DESIGNER
For this edition, Acqua di Parma invites designer Laura Gonzalez to reinterpret the Maison’s Blu Mediterraneo world through her distinct sensibility. Known for her intuitive and organic approach to pattern and colour, Gonzalez imagines La Caletta as a landscape of silhouettes and patterns shaped by the sea, coral, rock formations and light. Her designs, a dialogue between sculptural forms and graphic elements, appear across the limited-edition collection, from a sculptural Masterpiece to bottle caps and labels to elegant candle glass jars. Each carries her unmistakable signature, expressing a meeting between Italian refinement and the freedom of contemporary design.
“Nature has always been my first language – I look at it structurally and emotionally. Here, the sea, coral, rock formations, and light shape the silhouettes and patterns while artisanal tradition gives those inspirations depth and truth. I wanted the designs to feel instinctive and organic while remaining extremely precise – translating movement, water, and light into objects that are refined and functional,” says Gonzalez.
THE COLLECTION
The journey begins with the Masterpiece Acropora candle, a sculptural object that reflects the artist’s signature exploration of organic Mediterranean forms. Its silhouette, inspired by the fragile yet strong branching coral, captures the movement and vitality of the sea while maintaining a refined architectural touch. The design combines a graphic patterned base with a hand-finished surface, rendered entirely in deep blue and accented by subtle silver details, including the artist’s signature and the Maison’s logo. Weighing 1100g, the candle diffuses the scent of Fico di Amalfi.
Bergamotto La Spugnatura Eau de Parfum is the starring highlight – a fragrance crafted from the ancient La Spugnatura, a technique that continues to live on through the skilled hands of a select few artisans in Calabria. Through this centuries-old method, the essence of Bergamotto is extracted by hand from the citrus peel using a sponge and skillful gestures that have been passed down through generations, preserving its full vibrance and natural strength. This essence is also at the heart of the new Bergamotto La Spugnatura Hair and Body Oil, a lightweight formula that leaves skin and hair soft, luminous, and delicately scented. Blu Mediterraneo Fico di Amalfi returns in a limited-edition with Gonzalez’s designs, an energising portrait of the Amalfi coast where fig, citrus, and cedarwood reflect the coastal vibrancy of southern Italy.
Completing the olfactory range, three scented candles reinterpret Italy’s sweetest rituals: Sorbetto al Limone, a burst of Italian lemon and icy mint recalling the crystalline freshness of the coast; Latte di Mandorla, a velvety accord of almond and iced milk accords with sandalwood inspired by Sicilian indulgence; and Granita al Gelso, a delicate balance of mulberry and brioche accords, with vanilla bourbon echoing the Sicilian delight. Each fragrance and candle is adorned in vibrant, graphic, and organic patterns by the designer, translating the understated charm of La Caletta into scent and form.
THE ART OF LIVING SUMMER 2026
Beyond fragrance, the Art of Living Summer 2026 collection extends Acqua di Parma’s philosophy of transforming daily rituals into expressions of Italian style. Each object embodies playful refinement and exceptional craftsmanship, with an Italian name that evokes the ease and wit of summer days. The Secchiello Candle Holder Basket, handcrafted in leather, illuminates summer evenings with quiet sophistication. The Cono Candle Holder reimagines the silhouette of the Italian ice cream cone with a sculptural leather cover, while the Coppetta Gelato Candle Base pairs tan leather and hand-blown glass for a contemporary take on artisanal elegance. The Retino Fragrance Holder, woven in openwork leather, evokes the relaxed ease of coastal life, while the playful Racchettoni, Filetto, and Tutti Frutti objects bring a sense of lighthearted Italian leisure to the season. These creations evoke the atmosphere of the timeless Italian tradition of slow summer days by the sea, where pleasure lies in simple gestures and familiar games.
