The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Narciso launched in 2025 as part of Eredi Zucca's Eau de Parfum collection. Blaise Mautin composed it with a sunlit opening that moves from grapefruit and bergamot into jasmine, lily and musk. The progression feels deliberate: brightness at first, soft white florals through the middle, then oud, myrrh and benzoin giving the composition a darker pulse. The scent is less about self-display than contrast, moving from clean light to warm shadow with unusual balance. Grapefruit and bergamot establish a crisp citrus brightness, while the floral notes soften the composition without overpowering it. As benzoin, myrrh and oud enter the structure, the fragrance gains warmth and depth, creating a more complex expression as the bright opening settles into the base.
The interesting part is the collision of materials. Citrus brings a clean, immediate lift, while jasmine and lily create a powdery floral center rather than a sweet bouquet. Musk adds a soft dimension to that center. Oud and myrrh form the darker base, joined by benzoin and Virginia cedar wood. Together, these materials move between freshness, floral softness and a deeper woody foundation. The citrus keeps the opening clear, jasmine and lily give the middle a measured floral character, and the base notes add warmth and structure.
The evolution
The first impression is clean and lively, with grapefruit, Italian bergamot and orange making a bright, bitter-citrus opening. That brightness softens into jasmine, lily and musk, where the scent becomes powdery, elegant and more human against skin. The base then takes over gradually. Benzoin gives warmth, myrrh adds a resinous shadow, oud brings dark wood, and Virginia cedar wood keeps the finish from becoming too heavy. Narciso feels like a floral fragrance wearing a darker coat, with citrus brightness giving way to a softer floral center before the warmer, woody base becomes more apparent. The progression is measured and coherent: grapefruit and bergamot keep the opening lively, jasmine and lily temper the brightness, and benzoin, myrrh, oud and cedar wood give the composition its deeper finish.
Cultural impact
Narciso presents a layered floral fragrance built around contrast. Grapefruit, bergamot and orange create a bright opening, while jasmine, lily and musk introduce a softer, powdery floral center. Benzoin, myrrh, oud and Virginia cedar wood add warmth and darker structure beneath it. The composition invites exploration through the changing relationship between fresh citrus, restrained florals and a deeper woody base, offering several distinct dimensions as the scent develops.
The House
Eredi ZuccaEredi Zucca is a Milanese barbering and grooming name that traces its history to a barbershop opened by Carlo Antonio Zucca in 1652. Its fragrance collection extends that setting into eau de parfum, with compositions connected to Milan, historic barbershops, and figures associated with the city’s cultural identity. The range includes Tabacco, Duomo, Veritas, Vetivero, Cuoio, Novecento, Ultima Cena and Narciso. Novecento, created by Givaudan senior perfumer Nanako Ogi, opens with Indian cardamom, lavender and carrot seeds before moving into a green composition shaped by cedar and ambroxan. Across the collection, the central idea is clear: scent acts as an atmosphere, translating the ritual, materials and character of traditional shaving culture into a contemporary fragrance wardrobe.
The Creator
Blaise MautinMautin’s style is rooted in the French tradition of polished, expressive perfumery. His compositions tend to favor clarity, sensuality and a measured sense of luxury, with materials chosen for their character and their ability to hold a composition together.
