Interview with Rovena Raymo by Simone Gatto

As part of the Mouillette d'Argent International Perfumery Competition, 'Next In Beauty' had the pleasure of being able to interview Rovena Raymo of Simone Gatto. Raymo previously gave the attendees a presentation with all the details of bergamot. Simone Gatto is one of the world's leading producers of Calabrian bergamot. In the interview, Rovena Raymo explained what perfumery means to her, the importance of celebrating initiatives such as Mouillette d'Argent and how the values of Simone Gatto, a company with almost 100 years of history, endure over the years.1. What does it mean for you to be present at the sixth edition of the Mouillette d'Argent' where bergamot is the protagonist and Simone Gatto is an international reference in terms of its production?It was a pleasure for me to be present at this edition of the Mouillette d'Argent. It is always important to have the opportunity to tell about our reality and the fantastic products that our land gives us.2. Why is it important for the world of perfumery that initiatives such as this international perfumery competition continue to be held?Contests like this give emerging perfumers the opportunity to make themselves known and to give free rein to their creativity, especially because they can focus on a raw material instead of a brief to be respected. They also have the opportunity to use natural products that are not always present in the companies where they work.3. What is perfumery for Rovena Raymo and when did your interest in it start?Perfumery is a passion for me, as well as the most important market for our company. The passion was born and developed easily during my working years, especially because I had the opportunity to do internships in some of the most important French, Spanish and German companies and therefore I was able to live and "breathe" this fascinating world at close quarters.Moreover, "smelling" comes naturally and spontaneously to me, especially because I link smells to important moments in my life and feeling them after a while allows me to relive them in my memory in a clear way. Having worked closely with perfumers has also given me the opportunity to better understand their needs and modulate the product offer accordingly.4. Which is the favourite ingredient of Rovena Raymo?Blood orange oil, widely used today in women's perfumes. I find it a vibrant, fresh, young, sparkling, stimulating and juicy scent.5. What does it mean for you to be part of 'Simone Gatto'? Can you tell us briefly what this journey has been like?Simone Gatto belongs to my family. Joining the company was a natural progression, because as children we were passed on the passion for this work.6. Now, the company is led by the fourth generation of the family, what values have accompanied and remained in force since its foundation in 1926?The values on which the company is based have always been the same: honesty, fairness, quality, respect for the law and the environment, protection of the Sicilian and Calabrian supply chain. Our goal is 360° excellence and we are proud to continue with this winning policy.7. How does family tradition influence the company's corporate culture?Family tradition has a strong influence on the management of the company. Sicily is characterised by families with a thousand-year history, so it is part of the common mentality to be influenced. Although each generation has its own method, its different experiences, its individual ambitions, being able to carry out a project respecting its origins is an honour and a challenge.8. How has the company managed to maintain its legacy and stay true to its original vision for 100 years?It has not been easy to maintain the same policy for almost 100 years of activity. It would have been easier to give in to the temptations of the market and move to medium quality products that are more marketable because they are cheaper, but we have always believed that differentiating ourselves was the secret to increasing our reputation and building customer loyalty. And so it was.9. How it has handled the balance between the familiar tradition and the need to adapt to the changes in the market?Fortunately, in the family always there has been a very opened mind to the change, even in previous generations, that, therefore, always have seen the novelties like an opportunity to grow and improve in place of obstacles. All this has attained listening the needs of the customers and, to satisfy them, resorting to providers of machinery of excellent quality.10. How does Rovena Raymo conceive the world of perfumery? Art or science?Especially art, but also a bit of science today. I admire perfumers for their ability to create fragrances for any kind of situation, leaving a mark on each one of them. Today, unfortunately, they are similar in their creativity because of continuous legislative limitations and restrictions.11. What are the keys to business success and longevity for a company like Simone Gatto?Honesty, unity, collaboration, humility, the search for excellence, care for customers and suppliers, keeping up with the times and legislation, investment in new technologies, opening up to new markets (finished products and aromatherapy, for example).

Interview with Rovena Raymo by Simone Gatto

Rovena Raymo belongs to the fourth generation of Simone Gatto, one of the main producers of Calabrian bergamot