Santa Maria Novella is one of those brands that excites even the most cynical of us. It's the brand that every beauty editor will take home with them, even though they receive dozens of products a day. These are the beauty products used at the exclusive day spa at Raes in Byron Bay. It's the brand you'll find in the homes of the most influential tastemakers - prolific stylist Steve Cordony adorns the surfaces all over his home with Santa Maria Novella potpourri.

So naturally, it was incredibly exciting to find out that Santa Maria Novella has opened its first ever Australian boutique. Previously only accessible online, or through a trip to Raes, now we have the ability to step inside a haven of wall to wall Italian rose mists, creams and perfumes.

This ritzy boutique may have you asking, what is the secret to the Santa Maria Novella allure? Of course, the products are effective and luxurious. But the true key to its je ne sais quoi can be found in its 800 year old history.

Santa Maria Novella is a brand that is intertwined with the rich history of Florence, Italy. The brand can be traced back all the way to 1221 when the Domenican friars arrive in Florence and built a monastery. The friars began to study and experiment with the herbs grown in the gardens nearby in order to service their small infirmary and keep local people in good health. Over 400 years the popularity grew until eventually, in 1612 monk Fra Angiolo Marchissi opened the apothecary to the public. The Grand Duke of Tuscany became a patron and fan and thus the Officina Profumo - Farmaceutica di Santa Maria Novella (Perfume and Pharmaceutical Oficine of Holy Mary Novella) was born.

Of course, now Santa Maria Novella is exclusive, but global brand loved across the world. And yet, to this day the apothecary's artisans procedures are preserved. Just as it was 400 years ago, when the first shop opened, Santa Maria Novella products are still made by hand in Italy, using only the highest-quality raw materials. Today, the garden the monks and friars used for their remedies is known as the garden of Santa Maria Novella and it is still a source for many of the botanicals used in the ingredients used in the formulations.

A sensory delight, the store shows off the formulations steeped in Italian history. Remedies based on recipes that date back to the small infirmary opened in a Florentine monastery. Santa Maria Novella invites you in to experience a piece of Italy for yourselves. Located on Glenmore Road in Paddington, Santa Maria Novella welcomes guests from May 7 2021.