by Sumaiya Ali
Something that captivates our mind, rejuvenates our senses and bestows a feeling of freshness and energy just through its aroma is Perfume. It also finds numerous depictions in the Hadiths of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH).
Born with spicy and herbal flavors, the Arab fragrance grew to discover the sweet flowery scents of Saffron and Rose. Further with the discovery of woody oils like Sandalwood and Agarwood (known as Dahnel Oudh) a tantalizing new era was begun. Since then the Arab perfume industry has evolved and made certain changes to accommodate the varying tastes of their clientele.
Syed Junaid Alam
Celebrated by the names of 'Junaid for Perfumes' and 'Attar Al Bahrain', Syed Junaid Alam WLL is the oldest and largest manufacturer of perfume in the GCC and has three perfumery units in Bahrain. Founded by Syed Junaid Alam the brand,which began as a small shop in the Manama souk at the beginning of the 20th century, has transformed itself into a scentsational trendsetter with more than 120 retail outlets spanning the Middle East, Pakistan, Turkey and with plans to spread out to North America and the Far East.
The brands of Junaid Perfumes are sold exclusively at its outlets and also include solid and oil perfumes, Bakhoor and Bridal Gift sets. Among the perfumes produced are Banafsaj Baadiah, Lamsat Dhahabiya and Fanan which is the first shimmer based perfume in the Gulf. “Apart from that we also have introduced gel based fragrances that not only appeal to the women of today but also to youngsters," says Mr. Hamad Fuad, Director Sales and Marketing.
"Each product is carefully developed that reflects its name and is in accord with its design, colors and aromatic characteristics, resulting in a distinctive brand," informs Mr. Hamad. Junaid Perfumes outlets in Bahrain can be found at Manama Souk, Bab Al Bahrain, Sheraton Mall, Riffa Souk, Isa town Mall, Seef Mall, Al Aali Complex, Muharraq Souk, Hamad Town Souk, Riffa Bukuwara, Sitra Mall and City Centre.
Reehat Al Atoor
Inspired by the Arabic culture on his arrival to the Kingdom of Bahrain, Mr. Rajesh Khanna set up Reehat Al Atoor in 1989 as a pastime which flourished into a family business over the past two decades. This perfume house, based in Salmabad, produces traditional as well as international scents and a combination of the two. These perfumes derived from the natural essences reflect the Arab culture and heritage from its flavor to the finished packaging. Maraya (meaning mirror in Arabic) is their latest French flavor and comes with a total mirrored finish.
With exclusive showrooms at Sheraton Complex, Dana Mall, Gold City and Riffa Bukuwara, Reehat Al Atoor has also been successful in unveiling its own line at the Bahrain Duty Free in 2001 and exporting its products to Russia in 2008. Every few months there are product launches and the company plans to set up a larger plant to satisfy the growing demand of its consumers. Newly appointed General Manger Mr. Shahnawaz, with extensive experience in the Business Expansion of Perfumery in the Middle East aims to increase the outlets in Bahrain to 10 by the end of the year and expand to the Gulf Council of Countries (GCC) over the next year.
The company owns more than 100 brand names and sells well-known perfumes as Oudh Al Mumlika, Turath, Dahne’l Oudh, Durrat Al Bahrain (Arab and Oriental), Déjà vu (French), Fidha (French) and Majmoo’athal Bahrain. Reehat Al Atoor also operates two Jeweler subsidiaries in Bahrain by names of ‘Jewel House’ and ‘Jaff Jewelers’ that specialize in Diamond Wedding Sets and Long earrings (Chandeliers). They also sell precious stones like Sapphire, Emeralds, Rubies and semi-precious stones like Amethyst, Topaz, Turquoise, Citrine etc.
Amouage
The House of Amouage was founded 25 years ago by the late Sayyid Hamad bin Hamoud Al Busaidi on the request of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the ruler of the Sultanate of Oman, to reflect the wonderful heritage and traditions of his country for creating the finest, exotic and unique perfumes and for giving them as gifts to honored guests. Traditionally offered by the Royal family and senior Government Ministers of Oman to heads of state during official visits Amouage also has a stellar following around the world including Royals, global leader and some of the most celebrated names in entertainment and sports.
The Amouage fragrances use a number of significant indigenous ingredients like the finest Silver Frankincense, which grows only in the Dhofar Mountains in Southern Oman. The incredibly rare Omani Rock Rose, which flowers for the briefest of periods each year in the mountains of Jebel Al Akdhar. The first Amouage fragrance was created by French Master perfumer Guy Robert who scoured the world for the finest ingredients, over 120 of which were used in his masterpiece ‘Amouage Gold’ which still is Amouage’s best selling fragrance.
Amouage currently includes fragrances, a Bath and Body Collection, an entirely new Home Collection of parfums d’ambience and the latest fragrances inspired by the Rose ‘Lyric Woman’ and ‘Lyric Man’.
Ajmal
Having been in the fragrance business for 56 years Ajmal was primarily based around Oudh and its varying uses within the realm of perfumery and its primary fragrance range consisted of mainly oriental concentrates. Sarah, launched in 1992, was the first product of its kind to successfully blend eastern and western elements together and is till date used as a benchmark in creating fusion blends. There are other classics like Dahn Al Oudh Moattaq, Dahn Oudh Al Shams to name but a few.
With over 100 outlets in the Middle East, Ajmal was amongst the first to successfully introduce Dahn Al Oudh and Mukhallat in a spray form in 1987. It was the only perfume company to be listed in the ‘Forbes Arabia Top 40 Arab Brands’ in 2007 and was placed at 23rd position. The verdict was based on consumer perception as well as the ability of the brands to adapt to the rapidly changing environment. Ajmal takes care of the environment and involves in human welfare too.
Outlets of Ajmal can be found at Seef Mall, Bahrain Mall, Sitra Mall, Gosi Complex, Bab Al Bahrain, Riffa, Muharraq Souk and through retailers like Carrefour, Lulu hypermarket and other major retailers within Bahrain.
Designer Shaik
Designer Shaik Inc. is a luxury brand company involved in the designing, outsourcing and production of its own high end fashion products that reflect the rich cultural heritage of Mystical Arabia. Established in 2002 the company has headquarters in Bahrain with a network of registered offices in North America, Europe and Asia headed by the CEO and Founder Mr. Mohammed Al Asfoor. It produces a line of perfume for both women and men, along with fashion accessories, jewellery and watches and mainly markets to the Middle East & Europe.
People buying a Designer Shaik product feel they are buying a piece of ancient mythical Arabia. The beautiful and sensuous fragrances include the Opulent and Chic range with the purest essential oils from France blended with exquisite elements from Arabia. These Arabian scents are hand made using the finest and rarest of ingredients
Designer Shaik has a range of perfume gifts by the name of ‘Jewellessence Blue’ which is a fusion of jewels and essences and the handcrafted elements make them artifacts to be cherished and admired for centuries to come. Designer Shaik perfumes are available at Bahrain Mall, Seef Mall, Bahrain Duty Free and Al Hawaj outlets.
Perfumes are known by ‘notes’ as in music: The Top, the Middle and the Base Notes. The top note is the one that is sensed immediately on application and the middle note is what remains when the top notes evaporate. On the disappearance of the middle notes what lingers is the Base note, which along with the middle note represents the core aroma of the juice. As a result it takes an approximate of 10 to 20 minutes to know the exact scent of the perfume.
Perfumers go an extra step in trying to emotionally connect with the wearer by distilling each kind of personality into a perfume. It is said and known that scent triggers memories, so how will you choose to be remembered?
Sumaiya Ali is an Indian freelance writer and a chemical engineer living and working in Bahrain. She has freelanced for two issues of the Bahrain based magazine 'Woman This Month' in the September 2008 issue in which this article was published.
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Another short and interesting reading on Arabian Perfumes focusing on some Saudi Arabian perfumes written by Wafaa' Al-Natheema can be accessed here:
