Alberto Morillas: ‘the king of sunshine scents’
‘Legend’ is a word so often tossed about that it can lose its lustre, but when it comes to Master Perfumer Alberto Morillas, the term gleams with undimmed truth. Morillas, the master perfumer, is hailed as the king of sunshine scents – a creator whose fragrances shimmer with light, warmth, and the promise of endless summer. His compositions are more than mere perfumes; they are bottled memories of sun-drenched days, Mediterranean gardens, and the luminous joy of living.
Morillas is renowned for his devotion to ingredients that radiate brightness: orange blossom, jasmine, and musk are his signature notes, each chosen for their ability to evoke the “dimension of the sun.” For Morillas, a solar fragrance is not simply about conjuring a sunny feeling – it is about capturing the ever-changing interplay of light and shadow, the shifting moods of the sky, and the uplifting power of sunlight on the soul. He recalls his childhood in Seville, where the sun, the light, and the ever-present fountains shaped his understanding of beauty. To him, solar means the soul being lifted upwards – gazing from the cool shade of a courtyard to the dazzling sun above.
His own house, Mizensir, began with candles – each crafted with the same meticulous care as his perfumes. Now, the Mizensir fragrance collection allows Morillas to fully express his vision of light-filled perfumery. Mizensir Solar Blossom, a jewel in this collection, is a radiant celebration of the sun’s warmth. Orange blossom, which Morillas calls “sunshine in flower form,” is the heart of this scent. For him, the note is inseparable from memories of home and childhood. Solar Blossom is further illuminated by jasmine and musk, creating a sense of space and brightness – a fragrance that feels expansive, like lying on your back and watching clouds drift and transform across a blue sky. It is a scent that shifts and shimmers, always alive, always changing.
Morillas’s genius for solar scents first dazzled the world with Calvin Klein CK ONE. When it launched in 1994, CK ONE was nothing short of revolutionary: a unisex eau de toilette, ultra-fresh and modern, that captured the spirit of a generation. Its sunshine brightness is cool and crystalline – an early morning splash of citrus and green tea that awakens the senses and feels as invigorating today as it did at its debut. The fragrance’s aromatic, aquatic sexiness – immortalised in the iconic Steven Meisel campaign starring Kate Moss – helped CK ONE achieve a staggering $60 million in global sales within three months. It was a scent that changed the landscape of perfumery, and Morillas’s reputation as the master of light soared ever higher.
But CK ONE was only the beginning. Morillas’s artistry shines in Bulgari Goldea, a fragrance that glows with golden sensuality. Inspired by the radiance of gold and the goddess of beauty, Goldea is a sumptuous blend of musk, orange blossom, and patchouli, wrapped in a halo of sunlit warmth. The fragrance is both opulent and luminous – a tribute to the eternal allure of sunlight on skin.
Then there’s Armani Acqua di Giò, the original masterpiece that distilled the essence of the Mediterranean into a bottle. Here, Morillas conjures the sparkling freshness of sea spray, the zest of citrus, and the soft caress of marine notes. Acqua di Giò is a breath of salty air, a sunlit stroll along the coast, and a celebration of natural beauty. Its transparent brightness and effortless elegance have made it a timeless classic – beloved by men and women alike.
Marc Jacobs Daisy, another of Morillas’s iconic creations, is the olfactory equivalent of a field of wildflowers basking in the sun. Daisy is playful yet sophisticated, with notes of wild strawberry, violet, and jasmine petals resting on a base of white woods and musk. The fragrance captures the innocence and joy of a carefree summer day – its luminous character radiating happiness and light-hearted charm.
Morillas’s gift lies in his ability to infuse every creation with a sense of joy, transparency, and freshness. His fragrances are instantly recognisable, yet always surprising – each one a new interpretation of sunlight, a different memory of warmth and wonder. For Morillas, gardens are a second passion, a source of endless inspiration. He spends hours in his family garden in Geneva – drawing breath, dreaming, and letting nature guide his hand.
To wear a Morillas fragrance is to carry a little sunshine wherever you go. His scents are an invitation to look up, to let the soul be lifted, and to bask in the radiant beauty of life. For lovers of perfumery, his creations are not merely scents – they are moments of light, captured forever, and worn on the skin as a celebration of the sun.
Written by Suzy Nightingale