NELL CONTI, EVOCATIVE LEATHERS
Inherited Tradition
It was during the Renaissance, in the heart of the 16th century, that a refined yet ephemeral tradition was born in France: that of the perfumed glove. A practice where the art of leather and the art of fragrance were intimately intertwined, in the pursuit of elegance, hygiene, and distinction. It is this little-known yet foundational history that inspires the House of Nell Conti today.
The story begins in 1547, when Catherine de’ Medici, from the great Florentine family, became Queen of France by marrying Henry II. With her, she brought an Italian taste for refined essences, along with her personal perfumer, Renato Bianco — a scent alchemist from Venice.
Renato Bianco quickly became a central figure at court. He did not merely create bespoke perfumes for the queen; he also crafted balms, body elixirs, and pioneered new ways of incorporating fragrance into daily life. At that time, hygiene was rudimentary, and leather gave off strong, unpleasant odors.
It is within this context that an ingenious idea emerged: to scent leather — particularly gloves — to make them more pleasant to wear.
The town of Grasse, until then known for its tanneries, became the cradle of this transformation. To meet the growing demand of the royal court and Parisian elites, the artisans of Grasse began combining their expertise in tanning with that of perfumery. They used enfleurage techniques to capture the delicate aromas of local flowers and fix them onto the leather. This fusion gave birth to a new craft: that of the leather perfumer.
Perfumed gloves quickly became a must-have fashion accessory in Paris and at the great European courts. Yet this golden age was short-lived. Gradually, perfumery overtook glove-making, and Grasse shifted away from leather to focus exclusively on fragrance. The craft of the leather perfumer vanished, taking with it an entire body of know-how, swept away by changing tastes and habits.
It is precisely this lost tradition that the House of Nell Conti seeks to revive today. By reimagining the concept of scented leather, the Maison pays tribute to a pivotal moment in both French and Italian history — to the bold creativity of a perfumer, and to the artisanal richness of a city transformed by the imagination of a queen.
In rekindling the memory of the perfumed glove tradition, Nell Conti embraces a spirit of transmission, living heritage, and the contemporary reinvention of a forgotten art.
Our Distinct Process
Our journey into scented leather pushed us to reinvent the tanning process entirely, giving rise to a singular method found nowhere else.
Step 1 – Fragrance Formulation
The art of fragrance formulation takes on a distinctive dimension when it comes to crafting a scent designed to blend seamlessly with the fibers of leather. This is a fundamental step, deeply specific to our expertise. It aims to create a unique composition that endures over time, infusing the leather for years to come. Each component is meticulously selected and measured to ensure perfect symbiosis between the fragrance and the material, offering a long-lasting and unforgettable olfactory experience.
The perfumer, co-founder of the company, specializes in fine perfumery and bespoke creations. He continuously refines his secret expertise in long-lasting formulations, ensuring the scent accompanies the leather throughout its entire lifetime.
Step 2 – Raw Leather Selection
We meticulously choose hides sourced from meat farms in France and Switzerland. Our priority is to select hides with the finest grain, the same ones coveted in the luxury leather goods industry. furniture sector.
Step 3 – Tanning Process
After selecting the hides and formulating the fragrance, we move on to the key stage of tanning — the moment when leather and perfume meet and become one. This entirely reimagined phase also incorporates vegetal tannins. It allows the fragrance to bond at the very heart of the leather while defining its final characteristics: suppleness to the touch and depth of color.
Step 4 – Finishing
Values and Commitments
Choosing French luxury leather means choosing responsibility
At the heart of Nell Conti’s ethical and environmentally responsible commitment, every strategic decision is rooted in a profound respect for the environment, animal welfare, human dignity, and the local economy.
ANIMAL WELFARE
We rigorously select our leathers from French and Swiss farms in the agri-food industry, exclusively among producers who raise animals in conditions that respect their specific needs, reflecting our commitment to first-rate raw materials.
Our approach to perfumery is equally conscientious, excluding any raw materials derived from animal exploitation.
ENVIRONMENT RESPECT
Opting for vegetal retanning helps us minimize our environmental impact while recycling our waste, embodying our vision of a sustainable luxury industry.
PROXIMITY
Remaining true to our values of local collaboration, we work exclusively with French and Italian suppliers — from the labels on our bottles to the cardboard in our packaging — supporting the local economy while reducing our carbon footprint.
At Nell Conti, we deeply value authenticity, craftsmanship, respect, and quality. We believe in doing things properly, taking the time they require — principles that guide us toward a more ethical and responsible fashion industry.
Where leather meets fragrance
