Mauricio Cerizza
Born into a lineage of essential‑oil artisans, Maurizio Cerizza grew up in the workshop of his father Aurelio, who founded the EMA house in 1946. The scent‑filled air of his childhood taught him the language of raw materials before he ever held a pen. After completing formal studies at the Roure school, he apprenticed with René Ricord, a direct disciple of Jean Carles. Ricord’s rigorous method sharpened Cerizza’s analytical ear and introduced him to the classic French compositional system. In 1986 he earned his first commercial triumph with the female fragrance for the fashion house Roccobarocco, a scent that blended bright citrus with a warm, woody heart. Over three decades he has consulted for a range of luxury houses, taught composition at the Italian Perfumery Institute, and mentored a new generation of noses. Today he balances the discipline of his training with a restless curiosity, constantly testing, reformulating, and seeking the emotional core of each accord.
The hits
Notable creations
The signature
How Mauricio composes
Cerizza’s signature technique hinges on contrast and balance. He often starts with a clear, aromatic top—fig leaf, black tea, or fresh citrus—then introduces a smoky or resinous mid‑note such as incense or cedar to create depth. His background in essential‑oil distillation leads him to favor raw, unadulterated extracts, especially those harvested in the early morning when their aromatic profile peaks. He structures his compositions with a classic pyramid, yet he inserts unexpected twists, like a fleeting hint of pepper or a whisper of ambergris, that keep the scent alive on the skin. Throughout his career he has preferred natural woods, aromatic herbs, and subtly sweet florals, allowing each element to speak without being masked by synthetic overload.
Philosophy
What drives Mauricio
Cerizza treats each brief as a conversation between memory and material. He believes a perfume must capture a feeling as clearly as a photograph captures light. To reach that point he conducts meticulous research, cataloguing the subtleties of each ingredient before he begins to layer. He favors long, iterative testing, allowing accords to evolve over weeks rather than forcing a quick resolution. The driving force behind his work is the desire to evoke a vivid scene—a summer garden, a quiet chapel, a bustling market—through scent alone. He credits his family’s heritage for instilling respect for natural extracts, and he views every new formula as a chance to honor that legacy while pushing his own expressive limits.
The houses
Maisons Mauricio composes for
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