Skip to content
At the end of the 19th century, Milan was a dynamic hub of activity: fashionable cafés, theatres and electric lights outlined a dynamic and lively city, home to clean-shaven men with handlebar moustaches and women who always styled their hair to be wavy. A business dedicated to beauty opened here: Cella.
Cella Milano 1899.
In Italy, Cella master soap-makers aimed to achieve a top-quality product. They selected the best ingredients and slowly cooked them in a steam boiler, then seasoned the soap for a few weeks to concentrate it. This unique soap-manufacturing process is the perfect result of truly dedicated soap-makers striving for excellence. Cella was awarded a gold medal at the universal exhibition in Milan in 1906 and the Grand Cross for industrial achievements in 1908: it had become a leading company in the Italian toiletries and perfumery world.
The Cella Shaving Soap Cream soon became popular among professionals barbers of the time. Its super-concentrated formula (defined as “extra extra super-pure”) made it stand out from other similar products. It guaranteed a better yield and its outstanding hydrating properties greatly softened facial hair, making it easier to cut and protecting the razor’s blade at the same time. The weekly appointment with the barber’s was a commitment no man would ever fail to honour. Men chatted and exchanged news (sometimes confidential) or spoke about work and planned business. There was a deep trust in barbers, confidants and masters of elegance.
Safety razors became popular after World War I because this great invention was essential for soldiers - long facial hair made gas masks ineffective. Over 3.5 million US soldiers were equipped with the new safety razor and disposable blades. It was a turning point - the shaving ritual, born in barbershops, moved to home bathrooms, where it became a private, daily ritual. Cella was there when this was happening and rode the wave of change.
They asked their designers to create a box that stood out from the many products for sale. The result was a brightly coloured package, featuring a man with a cloud of foamy white cream on his face. The true master-stroke was to show the man in his pajamas, officially declaring that shaving was a private ritual, a morning routine carried out in the bathroom at home, a tradition that continues to this day. This is how the image of our product was born - Mr Felice [Mr Happy], the smiling vintage icon, still features prominently on Cella's packages.
Shop Cella Milano at Mozzafiato
An essential step for preparing the skin for shaving. This is a specific gel designed to soften and lift the hair, it creates a barrier effect, helps the razor to glide over the face and optimizes the shave - reducing redness, irritation, & pain.
This is a pleasant moment of aftershave wellness, soothing and moisturizing the skin. The elegant scent, a jus of classic and contemporary notes, instantly refreshes and tones the skin.
After shaving, sensitive skins need care and attention in order to restore their original condition. Its texture is easily absorbed, non-oily, and helps the cells to regenerate.
Extra Extra Purissima is the slogan that has always accompanied the iconic vintage packaging of Cella Cream Soap. Unique and inimitable for 100 years, the barbers’ favorite.
The set perfectly reflects the culture and philosophy of Cella Milano. Harmonious products, well thought-out sets and extremely sophisticated packaging in their simplicity.
Shop the entire Cella Collection here.