Ep. 8 – Scent as Ritual: Perfume, Memory, and Essence with Sileno Cheloni — Florence, Italy

In this intimate and sensory-rich conversation, we sit down with Sileno Cheloni, a master perfumer based in the San Niccolò neighborhood of Florence, Italy. A true alchemist of emotion, Sileno creates more than fragrance—he creates experiences, memory portals, and personalized rituals that connect us back to ourselves.With a background rooted in artistry and a spiritual lineage shaped by a Sufi master in Cyprus, Sileno approaches scent not just as an olfactory craft but as a profound medium of presence, intuition, and transformation.In this episode, we explore:The sacred roots of perfumery as emotional connection and presenceHow Florence shaped the world’s olfactory legacy (and why it’s still a place of creative birth)What scent teaches us about slowing down, deep knowing, and living consciouslyWhy Sileno doesn’t memorize his scents—and how that keeps his work intuitive and aliveHis fragrance organ with over 190 notes and how he guides clients to create a custom scentRitual, memory, and sensory storytelling through incense ceremonies and dinner experiencesThe importance of living your art as a game—with joy, depth, and discernmentA peek into his most meaningful travels, materials, and encounters (from Oman to the silent valleys of the East) What Florence might smell like—and why he once tried to gift the city its own perfumeSileno invites us into a slower, more sensory way of living—where scent becomes a compass, a ceremony, and a poetic rebellion against the commercial noise of modern life.This is not just an episode about perfume. It’s about remembering our essence. Follow Sileno on Instagram: @silenocheloniExplore his world at: https://profumoir.com/Photo courtesy of Nisa Sedaghat, Studio Sapore.THE SAPORE PODCASTThe Sapore Podcast is an invitation to explore the world richly through the senses. Rooted in the Italian word sapore—meaning “to savor” and “to taste”—each episode features soulful conversations with chefs, winemakers, artists, designers, and creatives from around the world.From intimate kitchens in Florence to late-night wine bars in Paris and sacred rituals in Marrakesh, Sapore explores and savors the rituals, memories, and places that connect us to a life well-traveled and well-lived.Follow along on Instagram:Studio Sapore: @studio.sapore Host Nisa Sedaghat: @nisssyyGet in touch:Email: [email protected] Online at: www.studiosapore.comThe podcast is produced by Nisa Sedaghat.