Slow Down to Speed Up

At ånd we are big supporters of better ways to treat the planet. Slow food has its roots deep in both tradition and regenerative practices to create a way of growing and living which sustains you and the earth. We are extremely lucky to bring you a new fragrance brand that brings all this into perfumery. So feed your nose something special this season and enjoy exclusive access to Ale Commisso’s Narici No.1.

“Hi. My name is Ale and I've just launched my Italian perfume brand Narici. Simon and the ånd team kindly offered me the opportunity to share my first perfume with you.

When I developed this formula, it felt like wearing my skin's best version. In my fantasy, it has notes of Italian cotton wool, unflavoured popcorn and sandalwood sawdust.

In reality, the magic ingredient is Sesame Absolute, which has an irresistible animalic profile (but is vegan!).

Sesame absolute is not readily available, so I commissioned an exclusive batch from farmers in Ispica (Sicily). Their unique cultivar dates back to the Arab period on the island, and is now recognised and protected as a Slow Food Presidium.

This perfume develops uniquely on each wearer - so I can't wait to hear how it smells on you!

Ale

Ale Commisso

P.S. Narici is pronounced [Na-ree-chee] and it means "nostrils" in Italian. Now you know!”

IG @NariciMilano

www.narici.com

A bit more on slow food…

In a world increasingly driven by speed, efficiency, and mass production, a quiet revolution has been simmering in the kitchens, farms, and hearts of Italy. The Slow Food Movement, born in the picturesque town of Bra, Piedmont, is not just about savoring a well-made meal—it’s about transforming how we grow, consume, and relate to food. Today, its ideals are finding strong resonance with the principles of regenerative agriculture, forming a powerful alliance for the future of food.

What Is the Slow Food Movement?

Founded in 1986 by Carlo Petrini as a response to the opening of a McDonald’s near the Spanish Steps in Rome, the Slow Food movement began as a protest—and evolved into a global philosophy. Its core tenets are:

Good: Food should be fresh, flavourful, and rooted in local culture.

Clean: Production should not harm the environment.

Fair: Food producers deserve fair compensation and working conditions.

Slow Food seeks to preserve traditional cuisines, support local producers, and promote biodiversity, aligning closely with ecological and cultural sustainability.

Regenerative Agriculture: Farming with Nature

Regenerative agriculture takes sustainability a step further. Rather than simply reducing harm, it aims to restore ecosystems, rebuild soil health, and enhance biodiversity. Practices like cover cropping, rotational grazing, composting, and agroforestry help regenerate the land—making it more resilient and productive over time.

In Italy, where small-scale farming traditions still hold strong, regenerative practices are not new. Many rural communities have been practicing some form of them for generations, even if they didn’t use the term.

Where Slow Food and Regenerative Agriculture Meet

The Slow Food movement and regenerative agriculture are natural allies. Here’s how their principles intersect:

Local and seasonal eating reduces the carbon footprint of transportation and storage.

Biodiversity protection, a pillar of Slow Food, supports resilient farming systems—key to regeneration.

Traditional knowledge and culinary heritage preserved by Slow Food often reflect time-tested ecological farming practices.

Community-based food systems, such as farmers’ markets and food co-ops, support regenerative economies and shorter supply chains.

Toward a Regenerative Food Future

The marriage of Slow Food and regenerative agriculture offers not just a strategy for ecological restoration, but a vision for cultural renewal. It’s about reimagining food as a relationship—to the land, to those who produce it, and to the traditions that sustain us.

In Italy and beyond, this union invites us to slow down, look back to move forward, and reconnect with the true meaning of nourishment.