“It has to be refreshing and burn a bit”

With the fragrance label Atelier Oblique designer Mario Lombardo added a new dimension to his world of design. Just like his award winning graphic design, the candles and fragrances of the born Argentinian are timeless, poetic and very, very personal.

Mr Lombardo, in your opinion, what do fragrances have to do with beauty?
Actually everything. Fragrances lead me on journeys. To me, even the melancholic memories that fragrances may evoke bear a certain beauty and importance.

But one does not use fragrances only for oneself, others smell them, too.
That is why I wear different ones, according to the mood I’m in. A fragrance may say: “Get lost, I want to be left alone today” – or: “Come closer, today I feel like touching.”

What does it mean to you: beauty?
To be free and childlike, most of all when creativity is concerned. What is born from this spirit is beautiful.

And, hands-on, which advice would you give when it comes to looking good?
Store a spoon in the freezer and put in on your eyes when you have to have an early start.

Do you have a morning routine?
I shower, brush my teeth, mostly at the same time. Once a week I trim my beard. Next year I am going to launch an aftershave: one that is refreshing and that burns a little at the same, just like the ones back in the day. That corresponds to my idea of masculinity.

When was the last time you were clean-shaven?
That was in 2011. When my then six-year-old daughter saw me, she was scared as hell. So I grew my beard back as fast as possible.

Is there something you cannot see enough of?
Laughing eyes!

Is there something you cannot smell enough of?
Fresh tobacco! I love fresh tobacco.

This article was first published in the autumn spring edition of 30 Grad in 2018.