The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Damasco began with a book and a restless imagination. Pablo Emanuel Locascio Poletto revisited the stories gathered in One Thousand and One Nights and wanted to preserve the scents of their imagined journeys through old Baghdad, where fruit, spices, flowers, and traded goods filled the markets. Released in 2001, the fragrance draws its atmosphere from that literary world. The composition opens with bergamot, whose citrus brightness gives way to the clean lift of orange blossom and the floral presence of damask rose. Jasmine and rose shape the heart, while tonka bean and vanilla lend a soft, creamy sweetness. Somali myrrh and vetiver add warm, earthy depth as the scent settles close to the skin, with musk leaving a gentle powdery and faintly resinous impression.
The unusual part is how easily Damasco moves between registers. Citrus and orange blossom supply light, while damask rose gives the composition its powdery floral center. Vanilla and tonka bean add sweetness without making the heart entirely dessert-like. Myrrh brings resinous depth, vetiver introduces an earthy edge, and musk keeps everything close to skin. The result feels familiar and exotic at once, like a familiar perfume glimpsed inside an unfamiliar story.
The evolution
Damasco begins with the impression of light and polish. Bergamot lends citrus brightness, then orange blossom brings a clean floral lift around damask rose. As the heart develops, jasmine and rose take the lead, while tonka bean, vanilla, and musk make the bouquet feel soft and creamy rather than freshly cut. The surprise arrives in the drydown, when Somali myrrh and vetiver pull warm, earthy shadows beneath the sweetness. Musks linger close, leaving powder, skin, and a faint resinous trace. Over time, the bright opening gradually becomes a warm floral veil. The citrus gives way gradually, while the rose and jasmine remain softly present. Tonka bean and vanilla continue to lend a rounded sweetness, balanced by the darker myrrh and the dry, earthy character of vetiver. Musk stays close to the skin, creating a smooth finish that feels delicate, composed, and quietly expressive.
Cultural impact
Damasco invites exploration through the atmosphere of its fragrance. Bergamot opens with clarity, orange blossom adds a clean floral lift, and damask rose gives the composition a graceful center. Jasmine deepens the bouquet, while tonka bean and vanilla soften it with creamy sweetness. As the scent develops, Somali myrrh and vetiver introduce warm, earthy shadows beneath the florals. Musk leaves a close, powdery impression, giving Damasco the character of an intimate and carefully layered fragrance suited to those who appreciate softness, polish, and a quiet sense of depth.
The House
Maese PauMaese Pau crafts natural perfumes in Spain, blending botanical extracts with contemporary sensibility. The house releases scents such as Voc, Ladano, Hesperides, Driades, Gaiac, Damasco, Onyx and Nao, each anchored in a single dominant note yet balanced by supporting accords. Its bottles carry a restrained silhouette, reflecting a minimalist aesthetic that lets the fragrance speak for itself. The brand positions itself at the intersection of artisanal care and modern design, inviting wearers to explore scent as a quiet, personal ritual.
The Creator
Pablo Emanuel Locascio PolettoPablo favors a clean‑cut structure: a bright opening, a smooth transition, and a lingering base that rewards time. He reaches for citrus, green tea, and marine accords to spark the first impression, then layers heart notes of Damascus rose, jasmine, or cardamom to add depth.
