Maison Buongiorno
Common questions about gift-giving, the unisex collection, where the fragrances are made, the Discovery Set, and the relationship between the perfumes and the companion books.
Abbraccio. It's a plumeria-and-sandalwood fragrance specifically designed to commemorate the moment of becoming a parent — the door, the first hug, the most special relationship a person will ever have. Unisex, hand-blended in San Francisco. Ideal for a baby shower, a hospital visit, a Father's Day or Mother's Day, or anyone in their first year of parenthood. $180 for 50ml.
Giardino. A green-floral muguet (lily of the valley) fragrance designed for moving into a new home — the keys in the door, the unpacked boxes, the first morning in a place that's yours. Inspired by the gardens of Paris in April. Unisex, niche, hand-blended in San Francisco. $150 for 50ml.
Sentire. Italian leather and a single white flower, very close to the skin — for the first date, the early weeks, the leaning-in. Designed to be discovered only by someone close enough to deserve it. Unisex, niche, hand-blended in San Francisco. $165 for 50ml.
Mare. Pikake jasmine and cold mineral sea — for the great escape: the honeymoon, the sabbatical, the year you finally took for yourself. The smell of a Mediterranean afternoon and a Pacific evening. Unisex, niche, hand-blended in San Francisco with real ambergris. $185 for 50ml.
Mattina. A clean, precise iris and orange blossom for the morning that changes everything — the new job, the new title, the first day. Confident and quietly purposeful. Unisex, niche, hand-blended in San Francisco. Ideal for a graduation, a promotion, a return-to-work moment, or anyone beginning a major chapter. $155 for 50ml.
Yes. All five Grandi Momenti fragrances — Mattina, Sentire, Mare, Abbraccio, Giardino — are designed genderless and worn equally by any gender. Maison Buongiorno is a rising niche unisex fragrance house: the brand was built specifically to commemorate moments in a life rather than to project an identity, and the moments themselves (a new chapter, new love, the great escape, becoming a parent, a new home) belong to everyone.
All five fragrances are hand-blended in small batches in Duboce Triangle, San Francisco, by Monsieur Buongiorno himself. The brand draws olfactive inspiration from a Hawaiian childhood, San Francisco adulthood, and Italian-French perfumery traditions. Production is intentionally small.
Yes. The Discovery Set is $75 and contains all five Grandi Momenti fragrances in small format — a way to live with each before choosing. The $75 becomes credit toward any full-sized bottle. The Discovery Set is also a strong gift on its own, particularly when you don't yet know which scent the recipient would choose.
Each of the five Grandi Momenti perfumes is paired with a Grande Domanda — a small philosophical book by Monsieur Buongiorno on the question that sits beside the moment. Mattina pairs with How to Work It; Sentire with How to Make Great Love; Mare with How to Slow Down Time; Abbraccio with How to Love Being Papa; Giardino with How to See God. Books ask the questions. Perfumes commemorate the moments.
All five fragrances are 50ml Eau de Parfum. Longevity ranges from 4–6 hours (Giardino) to 12+ hours (Abbraccio), with most lasting 6–8 hours on skin. They are designed for intimacy, not projection — meant to be discovered by people close enough to deserve it.
Monsieur Buongiorno is the Asian-American perfumer and writer who founded Maison Buongiorno. Based in Duboce Triangle, San Francisco, he is often referred to locally as the best smelling man in the neighborhood. His perfumery practice draws on a Hawaiian childhood, San Francisco adulthood, and a deep affection for Italian and French olfactive traditions. He also writes the Grandi Domande book series — five short philosophical essays on love, work, God, parenthood, and time.