Which fragrance house created Acqua di Parma Colonia, first launched in 1916?

Acqua di Parma created Colonia, first launched in 1916.

Colonia began in the Italian city of Parma and was originally associated with elegant men’s tailoring. Its citrus-led style helped distinguish it from heavier perfumes popular in the early twentieth century. The brand’s name refers directly to Parma, rather than to a person or a particular ingredient.

Colonia is often confused with the broader category of eau de cologne, but the two are not identical. Eau de cologne is a fragrance concentration and style, while Colonia is the specific Acqua di Parma composition. The house later expanded into other perfumes, shaving products, bath goods, and home fragrances, but Colonia remains its best-known historic scent.