Il Calamaio
“Il Calamaio by Ermenegildo Zegna is a Leather fragrance for women and men”
The Quick Read
Warmly received so far — a aromatic, oud composition with a woody undertone. Voted best for fall and winter wear — and genuinely unisex.
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Il Calamaio by Ermenegildo Zegna is a Leather fragrance for women and men. This is a new fragrance. Il Calamaio was launched in 2026. The nose behind this fragrance is Dominique Ropion. Top note is Ink; middle note is Turkish Rose; base note is Oud. Il Calamaio – Italian for ‘Inkwell’ By Dominique RopionIt is dawn. Ermenegildo Zegna sits in his study, overlooking the Lanificio. The newspaper lies open, the sharp scent of ink still lingering on the page. Leather-bound notebooks, polished wood, quiet concentration. Pen in hand, thoughts begin to flow — ideas taking shape on paper, on fabric, in vision.Il Calamaio captures the origin of creation: the intimate moment when imagination becomes intention.Olfactory family: Leathery AmberKey notes: Ink Accord, Rose Absolute Turkey, Oud Accord
Composition & Character
How It Wears
A Signature Fragrance
Oud
Oud, derived from the agarwood tree, is a complex note that evokes rich, woody aromas with hints of smoke and incense. Its origin lies in Southeast Asia, where it has been revered for centuries not only for its fragrance but also for its spiritual significance.
Turkish Rose
Hailing from the fertile lands of Turkey, Turkish Rose is renowned for its rich, velvety aroma. Unlike the delicate freshness of Bulgarian roses, this variety boasts a more robust scent with notes of honeyed sweetness and earthy undertones, making it ideal for perfumery's deeper expressions.
Dominique Ropion
Founding perfumer · 344 fragrances · b. 1955 · French
“Portrait of a Lady began with Turkish rose — I wanted to capture its full magnificence, without compromise.”
Dominique Ropion is one of the great perfumers of the modern era — a creator whose work bridges the gap between technical mastery and pure artistic expression. Born in Paris and trained in Grasse at Roure Bertrand Dupont, he joined IFF in 2000 and has since composed some of the most celebrated fragrances in contemporary perfumery. His work for Frédéric Malle — Portrait of a Lady, Carnal Flower, Une Fleur de Cassie — has achieved legendary status. For Mugler, he created the revolutionary Alien. Ropion's fragrances are unmistakable: bold, operatic, and profoundly beautiful.
Also created
Designer Ermenegildo Zegna
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Great aromatic + citrus and aromatic + woody combination
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