Luca Maffei
Luca Maffei grew up in a household where fragrance wasn't just a product but a way of life. His father Marco Maffei worked at Symrise and International Flavors and Fragrances, shuttling home lab samples and arranging encounters with industry titans like Dominique Ropion and Michel Almairac. Initially, Luca pursued the business side of the industry, but the pull of creation proved irresistible. In 2007, he officially entered perfumery as an assistant in the family business, freshly armed with classical and economic studies. He then traveled to Grasse for private training under Françoise Marin, former director of the prestigious Roure perfume school, studying the Jean Carles method and immersing himself in accords, iconic fragrances, and raw materials. After an internship at a major Grasse house, he returned to Italy to join M&M Fragrances and sign his first creations. In 2011, he founded Atelier Fragranze Milano, serving as both perfumer and CEO. His rise continued with a 2015 Art and Olfaction Award win for Black Pepper&Sandalwood, created for Acca Kappa, followed by SFP membership that same year. Maffei has since built a portfolio spanning independent and luxury houses alike.
The hits
Notable creations
The signature
How Luca composes
Maffei's signature weaves elegant iris accords with unexpected structural choices. He's known for introducing cold metallic character through ambroxan, creating fragrances that feel simultaneously refined and contemporary. His approach to materials is tactile and sensory, favoring clarity and intentionality over complexity for its own sake. Whether working with precious naturals like Arabian Taif rose or interpreting bold woods, his compositions tend toward a crisp sophistication with moments of unexpected warmth or tension.
Philosophy
What drives Luca
For Maffei, fragrance begins with raw materials and their mysterious alchemy. He believes in understanding the essence of each ingredient before combining them, treating perfume creation as storytelling rather than formula application. His work reflects a deep respect for tradition balanced with an appetite for innovation, drawing inspiration from his Italian heritage, travels, and the brands he collaborates with. He describes his process as chasing an emotional truth behind each brief, seeking the precise moment when materials align into something that feels inevitable rather than constructed.