Heritage
A house, in its own words
Rhizome emerged from Milan's design culture at the end of 2018, when Stefano and Andrea Aschieri partnered with Dario Pozzi to establish a niche house that sidestepped traditional perfumery conventions. The name itself references the horizontal underground stems of plants like vetiver, iris, and ginger, drawing on roots as both literal materials and symbolic foundation. Early releases arrived in 2019 with the numbered Rhizome series, establishing a catalog structure that would expand through subsequent years. By 2020, the house had released Rhizome 06 alongside standalone fragrances Desert Dusk and Tropical Dance, demonstrating range across different scent territories. The brand gained traction among buyers and fragrance enthusiasts within months of launch, according to reporting from Italian publication nss G-Club. Rhizome positioned itself distinctly within the niche market by emphasizing genderless compositions and what the founders described as a fresh, joyful approach to scent creation. The Milan location anchors the brand within Italy's perfumery heritage while maintaining a contemporary outlook directed toward younger consumers.
The house operates on the premise that perfumery should feel neither exclusive nor intimidating. Rhizome's genderless approach rejects traditional male/female classifications, instead offering fragrances that the founders describe as accessible and youthful in spirit. The brand draws thematic inspiration from rhizomes, the underground root systems that spread horizontally beneath the surface, suggesting that meaningful fragrance begins with what lies beneath rather than what first meets the eye. This botanical metaphor extends to their creative process, where raw materials with deep roots in perfumery history (vetiver, iris, ginger, angelica) take center stage. The brand's stated direction toward new generations implies an intent to strip away perfumery pretension while maintaining quality in formulation. Rhizome's website describes a mission centered on what they term superior fragrances, though independent verification of this claim remains limited. The founders appear more interested in immediate sensory impact and everyday wearability than in creating monumental, statement fragrances.