Asghar Adam Ali: the perfumer

A perfumer sounds exotic – how did you become one?

My family has always been involved in the perfume business, so I’ve been exposed to perfumes and their ingredients since I was a child. My father was an excellent perfumer. My mother, who comes from an Arab background, used to blend her own perfumes, and test them on me. I loved it! Eventually I realised I was naturally gifted with a sharp ability to be able to smell and judge a good perfume as well as memorise the fragrance.

How long was it before you created a bestseller?

Where do you draw your inspiration for fragrances from?

I travel a lot, so different places abroad are an inspiration, and so is Dubai. I created a range of perfumes – The Spirit of Dubai – to do it justice. Meydan smells like leather, Oud like the traditional scent of Arabia, Rimal like the desert, Bahar like the sea and ocean, and Abraj smells like Dubai’s high skyline. It’s my ode to an incredible city.

Are there seasonal scents?

Arabian perfumery doesn’t follow a seasonal approach. That’s more of a French fashion, where winter corresponds to a heavy scent and summers indicate a light and fresh fragrance. I believe in wearing your favourite perfume, any time of the year.

What are your favourite scents?

I can’t name any one favourite but I do appreciate every brand. To name a few, I like House of Chanel, Creed, Tom Ford and Kilian.

What is the most amazing fragrance you have ever smelt?

I have access to very exotic ingredients today, but I still think pure Indian agarwood oil beats them all.

Perfumes can alter your mood, can’t they?

Rubbing your wrists together after applying perfume on them can break down the notes of the scent, and so isn’t advisable. Layering a moisturiser or bath oil under your perfume can ensure a long-lasting scent. Before dressing, apply your fragrance on the pressure points mentioned above and let it dry naturally.

What advice do you have for someone who wants to succeed in your field?

Talent and drive is all you need. We started very humbly with a small shop, and then grew to establish our own manufacturing facility. We now offer products in more than 100 countries and have distribution offices in the US, UK, India and Australia, among others. We have outlets in most leading hypermarkets, besides our own retail chains all over the UAE and GCC. If your perfume is good, you have a vision and can communicate it to your team, and evolve a good distribution strategy, you are bound to succeed.

What’s the one perfume you wish you had created?

I’m still working towards making the perfect perfume.

Finally, how would you describe your style as a perfumer in three words?

Modern, innovative and experimental.