Top 15 Italian Perfume Brands

Italy is synonymous with luxury, craftsmanship, and timeless elegance—qualities that extend to its world-renowned perfume industry. From historic fragrance houses to contemporary niche brands, Italian perfumery blends artistry with innovation, using the finest ingredients to create unforgettable scents. Whether you’re drawn to rich, opulent blends or fresh, Mediterranean-inspired aromas, Italian perfume brands offer something for every fragrance lover. In this guide, we explore the top 15 Italian perfume brands that define sophistication and excellence in the world of perfumery.

1) Xerjoff

Since 2003, Italian luxury brand Xerjoff, founded by Sergio Momo and Dominique Salvo, has remained dedicated to crafting exceptional perfumes using premium raw materials. Each Xerjoff fragrance is bottled in exquisite glassware that reflects its complex character. Collections such as 1861, Shooting Stars, and 17/17 Stone Label are stunning gems of the Xerjoff portfolio.

2) Casamorati

Casamorati, credited to Xerjoff Group S.p.A., is named after Claudio Casamorati, who established a glorious perfume house in 19th-century Italy. The revival is marked by a collection of vintage perfumes that honor the historical and artistic heritage of Italian perfumery with special emphasis on the Art Nouveau era. Casamorati has earned much critical acclaim and many awards in the past few years.

3) Monotheme Venezia 

Monotheme Venezia, part of the Mavive group, was founded in 2003 by Massimo Vidal and draws inspiration from Venice’s rich culture and heritage. Mavive, established in the early 1900s, is known for its innovation in the fragrance sector and sustainable practices. 

Monotheme Venezia specializes in creating perfumes based on single notes or themes. The brand’s fragrances, packaged in lovely, glass bottles with vintage labels, are timeless and elegant.

4) The Merchant of Venice 

In 2011, the Vidal family, with over a century of experience in the fragrance industry, launched The Merchant of Venice to honor Venice’s artistic and cultural heritage. As per creative director Nicola Pozzani, Mavive and the Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia, the organization in charge of public museums in Venice, collaborated to create the luxury fragrance house. 

Inspired by the city’s historic trade relations with the Orient, 

The Merchant of Venice crafts memorable fragrances with sustainably sourced, high-quality raw materials. They are housed in exquisite bottles made of Venetian glass.

5) Masque Milano 

Italian fragrance house Masque Milano takes a unique artistic approach to the craft. Each perfume is tied to a particular moment, place, emotion, or dream, as the brand draws inspiration from Italian artistic and design traditions.  

Riccardo Tedeschi and Alessandro Brun founded Masque Milano in 2012. Each collection is structured like a grand opera with different “acts”; each fragrance represents a “scene” in the larger narrative.

6) Tiziana Terenzi 

Founded in 1968 as Cereria Terenzi by Evelino Terenzi, Tiziana Terenzi is a family-owned niche perfume house based in Italy. Evelino, inspired by his father Guglielmo’s legacy, established a laboratory with his wife, Luigia Mancinithe, and laid the groundwork for a timeless perfumery. Today, it is led by Evelino’s children, Tiziana and Paolo. 

Tiziana Terenzi is known for its impeccable craftsmanship. Each fragrance evokes precious memories and reminds wearers of the joys in life. The brand uses rare and natural ingredients to create bold, trend-defying scents.

7) Gucci

Maison Gucci was conceived by Guccio Gucci when working at the Savoy Hotel in London. He established the brand in 1921 as he identified the potential that lay in the exceptional craftsmanship of Florentine artisans. Gucci products came to embody both timeless luxury and fabulous artistry. 

In 1974, Gucci introduced its first fragrance, Gucci No. 1 for women, marking the beginning of its iconic perfume legacy. Over the years, the brand has partnered with renowned perfumers, including Michel Almairac, Dominique Ropion, Alberto Morillas, and others, to create timeless and celebrated scents.

8) Giorgio Armani 

Italian luxury fashion house Giorgio Armani has introduced more than 200+ perfumes in the last few decades. 

Giorgio Armani partnered with L’Oreal in the 80s to branch out into the beauty segment. Armani for Women (1982) was Giorgio Armani Beauty’s first creation, and Armani for Men (1984) followed soon after. 

In recent times, collections like Acqua di Gio, My Way, and Armani Code have received much love from fragrance enthusiasts.

9) Bvlgari

Italian luxury brand Bvlgari, founded by Sotirios Voulgaris in 1884, introduced its first perfume in 1992, the famed Eau Parfumée au Thé Vert.

The brand has gained renown for its stunning and opulent jewelry, but you best believe that its fragrances are equally exquisite.

If you are interested in trying out Bvlgari fragrances, we have you covered with two special recommendations:

Splendida Patchouli Tentation Eau de Parfum, if you love chypre-florals that go heavy on the patchouli.

Bvlgari Omnia Amethyste Eau de Toilette, if you love soft, cozy, and musky florals.

10) Versace

Italian fashion house Versace, founded in 1978 by the late Gianni Versace, has created many iconic fragrances over the years. The brand’s Medusa logo is indicative of its boldness and its dedication to the traditions of Greek and Roman cultures. 

Gianni Versace for Women (1981) was the first fragrance introduced by Versace Couture, and it enjoyed instant success. Versace partners with Euroitalia SRL for the production of its fragrances. Collections like Eros, Bright Crystal, Crystal Noir, and Yellow Diamond have already attained icon status.

11) Nasomatto 

Nasomatto ( “Naso” + “Matto”) was established in 2008 by Alessandro Gualtieri, but it has only recently achieved mainstream fame. Black Afgano and Absinth, in particular, have become Nasomatto’s star offerings. 

The brand is known for its fearless and bold approach to perfumery, and it is heavily inspired by oriental traditions. A variety of ingredients are mixed and matched in the pursuit of innovating unexpected and memorable olfactory compositions that inspire strong emotions. 

12) Carthusia 

Carthusia is an Italian perfume brand steeped in history and lore.

In 1380, when a flower arrangement was left in water for three days at the Carthusian Monastery, the water acquired a unique fragrance. The monastery’s alchemist identified the scent as “Garofilum silvestre caprese,” and it became regarded as Capri’s first perfume. 

The Monastery, upon discovering fragrance formulas in 1948, shared them with a chemist from Turin, who then created a small laboratory named Carthusia. Today, the brand crafts perfumes in limited quantities with high-quality ingredients and natural essences, using methods akin to those of the Carthusian monks. 

If you are looking for a recommendation, Corallium by Carthusia is a lovely, aromatic perfume, reminiscent of the Capri island breeze. 

13) Profumum Roma 

Founded in Italy in 1996, Profumum Roma is credited to the Durante siblings – Giuseppe, Luciano, Maria, and Felice. Each fragrance is an ode to the magnificent city of Rome, celebrating all that it has to offer. Profumum Roma scents are crafted to evoke the emotions and sensations tied to our memories. If you want to explore the brand, Gioiosa (2023) is an excellent place to start.

14) Trussardi

Italian fashion and lifestyle brand Trussardi is more than a century old. It was founded in 1911 as a glove factory by Dante Trussardi. In the 1960s, his grandson Nicola began expanding the brand while retaining its dedication to fine Italian craftsmanship. 

Trussardi soon achieved international fame. It began offering fragrances in 2005 in partnership with Selective Beauty. Trussardi for Women, packaged in a handsome leather-encased bottle, was the first launch. The brand has joined hands with many famed perfumers over the years, including Alberto Morillas, Aurélien Guichard, Nathalie Lorson, and Quentin Bisch.

15) Dolce & Gabbana

No list of Italian perfume brands would be complete without Dolce & Gabbana. As one of the most iconic fashion houses in the world, the brand extends its signature blend of luxury, passion, and Mediterranean charm into the world of fragrance. Known for its bold, sophisticated, and sensual scents, Dolce & Gabbana captures the essence of Italian elegance in every bottle. From the fresh and sun-kissed Light Blue to the rich, opulent The One, each fragrance is a tribute to the brand’s deep-rooted heritage and unmistakable style.

Italian perfumery is a testament to artistry, tradition, and unparalleled quality. The brands we’ve selected embody the heart and soul of this craft, offering scents that capture emotions, memories, and the very spirit of Italy. Whether you’re searching for a signature scent or looking to explore the depths of Italian fragrance culture, these top brands are a perfect starting point. Indulge in the luxury of Italian craftsmanship and discover a world of exquisite perfumes that stand the test of time.