Paolo Terenzi is the third generation of a candle-making family in Cattolica, on Italy's Adriatic coast. His grandfather Guglielmo founded the family waxworks, kept a private collection of essences and played blindfold smelling games with Paolo and his sister Tiziana. The company, Cereria Terenzi Evelino, carries the name of their father. Paolo spent his youth travelling and playing guitar in streets and theatres, then settled on perfume at 25, with Guglielmo as his teacher.
He is the nose of all three Terenzi brands, Tiziana Terenzi, V Canto and Giardino Benessere, while Tiziana, who studied jewellery design, directs art and style. Every Tiziana Terenzi perfume is an extrait of at least 30 per cent perfume oil, made by hand. The Classic Gold line is built around fire and includes Tiziana Terenzi Kirkè and Gold Rose Oudh; the Luna collection includes Andromeda, Cassiopea and Orion, named for constellations.
Sea Stars was Tiziana's gift to Paolo for his fiftieth birthday, drawn from the love of sailing both took from their father, and a gold starfish wraps each stopper. Tiziana Terenzi Dorade, a Harrods exclusive from 2024, carries the same sailing theme. It takes its name from Dorade, the yacht Olin Stephens designed in 1929, and puts Sorrento lemon and Vietnamese black pepper up front, with eucalyptus, santolina, clary sage, ambergris, sandalwood, sequoia, birch and vetiver behind.
