Heritage
A house, in its own words
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. 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.