The Heritage
The Story of Como Lake
Como Lake translates the calm of Italy’s most celebrated lake into a line of niche fragrances. Each scent captures a facet of the shoreline, from mist‑kissed mornings to sun‑lit promenades. The brand offers a concise portfolio that balances fresh citrus, aromatic herbs and subtle woods, inviting wearers to experience a quiet moment by the water. Its bottles echo the lake’s smooth surface, while the formulas stay true to a restrained, artisanal approach.
Heritage
The story of Como Lake begins with Celso Fadelli, a perfumer who spent three decades mastering the art of fragrance in Italy. After years of consulting for larger houses, he gathered a small team and, around 2015, launched a label dedicated to the Lake Como region. The first collection arrived in 2018, featuring Silenzio, Note D'Amore, Notturno, Bacio Nella Pioggia and Un'Altra Estate. Each launch was timed to coincide with a seasonal event on the lake, reinforcing the brand’s connection to its landscape. In 2020 the house opened a modest studio on the lakefront, allowing visitors to witness the blending process and to sample the scents amid the same vistas that inspired them. A partnership with the Lake Como tourism board in 2023 gave the brand official status as the region’s artistic perfumery, a title confirmed by the board’s public announcement. The following year, the fragrance Dancing Light was named a finalist for Best Interior Fragrance at the 2026 Fragrance Awards, marking the first time a Como Lake scent received recognition in a global competition. Throughout its growth, the house has remained independent, sourcing raw materials from local farms and from established European suppliers, and it continues to operate under the guidance of its founding perfumer, who still oversees every batch.
Craftsmanship
Production takes place in a modest workshop that blends traditional techniques with modern quality controls. Raw materials arrive in small batches, allowing the perfumers to assess each lot for consistency before it enters the mixing stage. The house favors natural extracts such as bergamot from Calabria, lavender from the Tuscan hills, and chestnut honey from the Como valleys, while also incorporating a few synthetics that replicate rare notes unavailable in sufficient quantity. Each fragrance undergoes a three‑stage maturation: an initial maceration of oils in glass, a mid‑term resting period in temperature‑controlled rooms, and a final polishing where the blend is filtered and diluted to the intended concentration. The team conducts blind panel tests with a rotating group of local artists and sommeliers, gathering feedback that informs minor adjustments before bottling. Bottles are filled by hand, sealed with corks sourced from sustainable forests, and inspected individually for any imperfections. The entire process adheres to ISO 9001 standards, and the house maintains a documented traceability system that records every ingredient’s batch number, ensuring that any future inquiry can be answered with precision.
Design Language
Visual identity mirrors the lake’s serene geometry. The brand’s logo features a simple line that suggests a wave, rendered in muted teal and soft gray. Bottles are cylindrical, their glass tinted a pale aqua that deepens when held to light, echoing the water’s changing hue. Caps are brushed aluminum with a subtle matte finish, reminiscent of a boat’s prow. Labels use a clean sans‑serif typeface, with the fragrance name printed in lowercase to reinforce a calm, approachable tone. Packaging boxes are made from recycled cardboard, printed with a minimalist illustration of the lake’s shoreline. The overall image avoids ostentatious ornamentation, favoring a refined minimalism that aligns with the brand’s focus on quiet elegance rather than overt luxury.
Philosophy
Como Lake treats perfume as a bridge between place and memory. The brand believes that a scent should evoke a specific moment rather than a vague feeling, so each formula references a precise element of the lake – a sunrise over the Alps, the scent of pine needles after rain, the aroma of freshly brewed espresso on a terrace. Sustainability guides the creative process; the house selects ingredients that can be harvested responsibly and works with growers who practice low‑impact agriculture. Transparency is another core value: every fragrance label lists the primary natural components and their origins. The team also supports cultural projects in the region, funding small exhibitions that explore the intersection of art and scent. By keeping the portfolio limited, the brand can devote full attention to each launch, ensuring that the olfactory narrative remains clear and authentic.
Key Milestones
2015
Celso Fadelli and his team establish the Como Lake brand, aiming to capture the essence of Lake Como in fragrance.
2018
First collection launches, introducing Silenzio, Note D'Amore, Notturno, Bacio Nella Pioggia and Un'Altra Estate.
2020
Opening of a lakefront studio where visitors can observe the blending process and sample the scents.
2023
Official designation as the artistic perfumery of Lake Como by the regional tourism board.
2026
Dancing Light, Lake Como becomes a finalist for Best Interior Fragrance at the 2026 Fragrance Awards.
At a Glance
Brand profile snapshot
Origin
Italy
Founded
2015
Heritage
11
Years active
Collection
1
Fragrances released
Avg Rating
4.7
Community sentiment