Fabiana Bardelli: "Astronomy and perfumery both seek to shed light on mystery." Interview with the founder of the artistic perfume house "In Astra"

Some time ago, I visited Via Stampa to discover a new and very intriguing perfume house. It's called In Astra, and it was founded in 2020 by Fabiola Bardelli together with her sister Sofia, a perfumer. What makes it special is its thematic and visual universe: all of In Astra’s perfumes are inspired by the stars, and the artistic fragrance house declares its aim to "celebrate the poetic beauty of the cosmos." Naturally, we wanted to know more.

Interview with Fabiola Bardelli, founder of the Italian niche perfume house In Astra

In Astra is an evocative name: how did the project begin and what was the spark that led to the creation of the maison?

In Astra was born from a passion that has accompanied me since childhood: a fascination with the stars, the universe, and everything that holds the mystery of the sky. The name, which in Latin means "among the stars," is the synthesis of a luminous intuition: the desire to unite the immensity of the cosmos with the intimate and sensorial world of perfume. The spark ignited by simply looking up, contemplating that eternal sky that has always spoken to us without words. To me, the universe is an inexhaustible source of inspiration: Nature, in its widest and most boundless form, is the highest expression of art. In Astra represents the union between artistic perfumery and the science of astronomy, but this connection can also be read the other way around. Because perfume is, indeed, poetry but it is also chemistry and precision; and astronomy, while being science, is also a poetic gaze into the infinite. In the end, both seek to bring light to mystery.

The brand merges the celestial world with the olfactory universe: what inspired you to create a bridge between stars and scents?

The stars captivate me with their distance and luminous silence, while perfumes move us deeply, evoking memories and emotions we often can't explain. To unite them meant creating a new sensory constellation where each fragrance could tell the story of the magic and mystery of celestial bodies. What they share is their secret language, made of transformations. Stars appear still, yet they’re in constant metamorphosis: they are born, they explode, they dissolve, and regenerate from dust. Perfume behaves the same way: it reveals itself gradually, unfolding notes and accords that merge into a single symphony. Both are a journey through time, an invisible dance between science and poetry.

What does it mean for you today to present an independent, female-led artistic project in the world of niche perfumery?

It means reclaiming an authentic space in a field still affected by deeply rooted stereotypes and biases. Being a female and independent voice means choosing creative freedom, shaping an artistic project that doesn’t follow market-driven logic but instead listens to instinct, intuition, and inner truth. In Astra was also born for this reason: it’s a space of feminine vision and sensitivity, a lab where exploration is free, beyond trends and conventions.

Vanant is inspired by the star Altair, a symbol of victory over the night. What does this duality of light and shadow represent for you?

Light can only exist if we know the dark. Vanant is a mysterious fragrance whose brightness slowly emerges, passing through smoky, shadowy notes. This play of contrasts is the very essence of In Astra: seeking harmony between opposites, where extremes don’t cancel each other out but complete one another. That’s where beauty arises: in the subtle dialogue between light and darkness, like a star shining more intensely precisely because of the darkness around it.

How was the experience of collaborating with a master perfumer like Bertrand Duchaufour? How did you blend your vision with his expertise?

For the first time, I decided to entrust the creation of a fragrance to an external nose. It wasn’t an easy choice: In Astra is a deeply personal project, rooted in a very specific narrative universe. But I felt the urge to explore a new olfactory sensitivity, while staying true to the brand’s soul. When I thought of who could embody this vision, the first name that came to mind was: Bertrand Duchaufour. Bertrand is a master of artistic perfumery, with a bold, evocative style that’s free from convention. The perfect qualities to enter In Astra’s world without altering it—instead, enriching it. Working with him was a fluid and profound creative dialogue, almost instinctive. Vanant was born this way: as a meeting between two imaginations. Mine made of skies, symbols, and silences; his, of refined accords and olfactory visions. The result is a new, mysterious star.

The packaging is a fundamental part of In Astra’s identity. How did the design of the golden zamac cap come about, and what symbolism were you hoping to convey?

Packaging is an integral part of In Astra’s storytelling: it’s the first point of contact with the world we aim to express. Every detail is designed to speak the language of the stars: from the deep blue and gold color combination to the constellation on the label, which allows one to identify the star in the night sky. The zamac cap, bathed in 24-carat gold, is perhaps the most symbolic element: a luminous sculpture evoking the irregular, incandescent surface of a celestial body. A tiny star to hold in your hands, reminding us that even the invisible, like a scent, like a star, can have a form, a substance, a living presence.

In your view, what is the role of artistic perfumery today?

More than ever today, artistic perfumery has the task of resisting standardization. It’s a space of exploration, of freedom, of creative truth. It must dare, push beyond the boundaries of the predictable, tell stories that leave a mark, and evoke genuine emotions. Perfume is a form of art: ephemeral, yet incredibly powerful. It holds the power to awaken primal memory: the kind that takes us through time and space, to distant memories, symbolic places, or visions of the future.