Mount Lavinia Hotel launches ‘Lavinia’ with Bollywood icon Karisma Kapoor

The Mount Lavinia hotel is a brand synonymous with tradition, heritage and romance in Sri Lanka. It has garnered a well-deserved reputation over the years for its exceptional levels of service, magnificent structure and ambiance, the old world charm which harks back to the grandeur of old Ceylon. Its romantic legacy is the beautiful story of eternal intimacy between Governor Thomas Maitland and Lovina Aponsuwa that blossomed in this property. 

The beautiful story of eternal intimacy between Governor Thomas Maitland and Lovina Aponsuwa, a beauty history compares to a Greek goddess, because of her mixed complexion, dazzling hazel brown eyes and her long flowing jet black tresses is one of the most famous in the island. Within the portals of his glorious residence he named “Mount Lavinia” in dedication to her, Thomas Maitland first set eyes on this beautiful Mestizo dancer and instantly fell in love with her.  The exquisite perfume “Lavinia” has been created to celebrate 210 years of this beautiful love story filled with romance, intrigue, mystery and secret assignations through hidden passageways and tunnels.

Romance, intrigue and seduction formed the theme for the launch. The poolside terrace and Governors restaurant of the historic Mount Lavinia Hotel played host to the event and were transformed by event planners The Lifestyle Co. to create a feeling of vintage romance and beauty.

The venue was divided into different areas each creating a different feel and variation of theme. Floral accents, reflecting those used in the composition of the Lavinia perfume formed a key part of the decor and created the mood and theme of forbidden love and seduction. 

These notes are also combined in the heady seductive scent of the fragrance created exclusively for the Mount Lavinia Hotel by Slovenian artist Eva Petric, who was part of the celebration. The considered approach to fragrance has been very much in keeping with the traditions of the Mount Lavinia Hotel, a brand determined to keep authentic legacy at its heart. 

The fragrance with hints of floral accents is a mysteriously seductive and provocative scent. Sensual jasmine notes paired with playful mandarin and orange fruits and yellow musks have all been blended in to create an intoxicating fragrance. The addictive fragrance opens with a vibrant splash of bergamot, juicy mandarin and orange. At its core, white jasmines have been accented with petit grain, tonka beans and a dash of pepper drizzled in the tangy sweetness of mandarin for a mouthwatering signature; while yellow musk and viola combine to leave a lush, lasting impression. Lavinia will soon be available for purchase in Sri Lanka. 

Bollywood royalty and one of its most recognisable stars Karisma Kapoor made a spectacular entrance to thunderous applause from guests, as she spoke of “how truly honoured she was to be a part of this incredible event and how moved she was by the beautiful love story being celebrated.”  

Exquisite culinary creations, low lighting, candelabras filled with long tapered candles, a romantic Gazebo parfumerie and a life-size perfume bottle with Lavinia dancing within, all combined to create a magical evening to celebrate the launch of the seductive Lavinia fragrance and a romance for the ages. The event was conceptualised and planned by Rishini Weeraratne and Minoli Ratnayake – The Lifestyle Company.