Paolo Terenzi, the politically incorrect nose

‘A fragrance is not just a combination of raw materials, it's a symphony of emotions’ - Paolo Terenzi.

Behind this quote lies a creator who doesn't just work with olfactory notes, but infuses them with a soul. Paolo Terenzi, perfumer of the Italian house Tiziana Terenzi, creates fragrances that transcend the simple act of perfuming to become sensory experiences. In his laboratory perched on the hills of the Marches, each accord is born in a space where inspiration and tradition meet, halfway between family heritage and artistic quest.

A Personal Journey between Fire and Nature 

Paolo Terenzi was literally born in the world of perfume and flames. The son and grandson of waxmakers and perfumers, he grew up surrounded by the scent of precious waxes and wisps of resin smoke. As a child, he would walk around the family workshop like a playground, marvelling at the magic of olfactory creation. His memories are imbued with bewitching fragrances - the smell of wild flowers picked by his grandmother, wood burnt on long winter evenings, the scent of warm waxes mixed with lavender and honey. It was here, in this small artisanal factory, that Paolo learned to listen to and feel the raw materials. 

His academic career began with studies in chemistry, before turning to training in perfumery with Italian masters. But it was his return to his roots, in the family workshop, that marked a decisive turning point: he realised that perfumery would be much more than a job for him. It would be a way of capturing the essence of his emotions and crystallising them in a bottle, for a House that would bear the name of her sister: TIZIANA TERENZI.

A never-ending quest for the ideal fragrance  

For Paolo Terenzi, each fragrance is a story in itself. His creative process often begins with a fleeting emotion, an evanescent memory that he tries to capture and analyse. ‘I try to capture what is invisible, the intangible’, he often says. It may start with a dream, a colour, a tactile sensation, like the touch of silky fabric or the roughness of leather. He finds inspiration in a wide variety of environments, from breathtaking Italian landscapes to the bustling streets of international metropolises. Drawing on these rich sources, he blends art, nature and personal experience to create powerfully evocative scents. 

His workspace is a reflection of his creativity: a studio filled with rare essences, where the rustle of the pages of his notebooks mingle with the clinking of vials of often rare and precious ingredients - oud wood, ambergris, benzoin resin. Paolo Terenzi works according to a precise ritual, beginning each morning with a moment of meditation, before giving free rein to his instincts. Only after months of maturation is a fragrance born, each stage a subtle balance between scientific rigour and creative poetry.

Creations as mirrors of the soul 

For lovers of exceptional fragrances, Paolo Terenzi's creations are instantly recognisable. From the outset, Paolo Terenzi has built up a singular olfactory universe that combines intensity and subtlety. With each creation, he tells a story inspired by his roots, his travels and his inner explorations. His fragrances, like fragments of the soul captured in bottles, are designed to provoke an immediate emotion, a reminiscence or an unexpected discovery. From Luna to Gold Rose Oudh, each fragrance bears the imprint of its creator: opulent, powerful compositions balanced by a delicate softness, like the reflection of summer light on an emerald sea. 

Paolo is also a prolific collaborator: he has worked with many international brands, bringing them his vision. From the world of haute couture to collaborations with contemporary designers and artists, he integrates multiple influences, which he translates into bold olfactory compositions. His distinctive signature is based on a balance between tradition and innovation: he likes to revisit classic accords - the chypre accord, the floral bouquet - by infusing them with an unexpected modernity. 

One of the turning points in his career was the release of the ‘Anniversario’ collection, celebrating 50 years of Terenzi. Each fragrance in the collection is an interpretation of the natural elements - fire, water, air, earth - reinterpreted with boldness and modernity. ‘Fire is at the heart of my creation. Not only because I come from a line of waxmakers, but also because it's a symbol of transformation. Every fragrance I create is a metamorphosis: an idea that is consumed only to be reborn in a new form,’ he explains.

Vision and Heritage: An Art of Living and Sharing  

Today, Paolo Terenzi's olfactory creations are sold in the world's greatest capitals, from Paris to Dubai, from New York to Tokyo. Despite this international success, he retains a rare humility. He continues to favour meticulous, artisanal production, and doesn't hesitate to revisit his formulas again and again, until he achieves the perfect balance. ‘I don't want my fragrances to appeal to everyone. I want them to appeal to those who know how to listen, feel and give themselves over to pure emotion.

Paolo Terenzi is therefore actively committed to passing on his knowledge, training young talents who want to follow in his footsteps. ‘Perfumery is an ancient art that should be preserved and celebrated,’ he says. ‘It's not just about creating products, but weaving links between souls, provoking emotions that transcend time and space. 

He dreams of leaving a legacy not just of scents, but of a new way of perceiving perfumery - no longer as a luxury product, but as a universal language of sharing and sensitivity.

Tiziana Terenzi: Always a Family Affair 

Paolo Terenzi embodies the very essence of family heritage in the world of fragrances. His close collaboration with his sister Tiziana, who oversees bottle design and brand image, has led to the successful transformation of the family business into a luxury niche fragrance brand. 

Their common credo: to create uncompromising works of scent that go against the grain of market uniformity. Together, they form a harmonious duo, fusing olfactory expertise with refined aesthetics. Their deep brotherly connection is reflected in each fragrance, creating an olfactory experience that transcends borders and time.