The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
The collection takes its name from the Italian word for morning, a word that captures that specific early hour when the world begins to stir. A13 has built its collection around states of experience rather than ingredients or abstract ideas, and this 2025 release continues that thread: morning as a sensation, not a time. Perfumer Flavius Călaj worked with citrus and cream as the founding materials, creating a composition that opens bright and stays soft. The citrus brings an immediate sparkle, while the cream note lends a velvety smoothness that prevents any harsh edges. The Italian title reflects the house's broader naming strategy, where morning and night stand as equal counterparts, each representing a distinct mood rather than a literal scent profile.
The milk note is the quiet anchor here. Citrus fragrances often announce themselves sharply, then fade. La Mattinata uses milk to soften the bergamot and lemon from the first moment, no harsh opening, no demanding attention. Cherry arrives in the heart alongside rose and orange blossom, not to complicate the composition but to add a subtle tartness that keeps the sweetness honest. The base layers vanilla and sandalwood with amber and myrrh, creating warmth that builds gradually rather than arriving all at once. It's a structure built for people who want fragrance to feel like a companion rather than a statement.
The evolution
The first fifteen minutes belong to citrus, bergamot and lemon cutting through, but already softened by the milk. The handoff happens gradually: cherry appears quietly in the heart, rose following without ceremony, orange blossom threading through both. The real story is the base. Vanilla and sandalwood hold, myrrh providing a warm resinous undertone that prevents the whole thing from reading as purely sweet. The composition moves from that initial brightness through a delicate floral middle before settling into its creamy, slightly resinous foundation. Each stage offers its own character without harsh transitions, creating a continuous sensory experience rather than distinct phases.
Cultural impact
La Mattinata joins a broader conversation in niche perfumery where classical references and cultural touchstones shape how fragrances are understood and positioned. The title, borrowed from a musical term meaning morning, creates a connection to artistic traditions that extend beyond perfumery alone. The milk note in La Mattinata represents a deliberate departure from more conventional perfumery, chosen to create a softer, more unconventional effect that reflects the fragrance's focus on morning as a state of gentle awakening rather than sharp alertness.
The House
A13A13 is a niche fragrance house that has released a focused collection of scents since 2021, with work spanning private and public moments. Their portfolio includes La Mattinata (2025), La Notturna (2025), Above and Beyond (2023), Behind Closed Doors (2022), and Out In The Open (2021), each taking its name from states of experience rather than ingredients or abstract concepts. The house presented at Cosmoprof North America in June 2025, introducing its fragrances to a wider audience and sharing its approach to scent creation. Based on the thematic naming convention across its releases, the house appears drawn to contrasts between interior and exterior life, between the known and the undiscovered.
The Creator
Flavius CălajCălaj gravitates toward dramatic contrasts: bitter and sweet, dark and bright. His signature approach combines bitter coffee with bright raspberry, or contrasts dark chocolate notes with green fig.
