Abu Dhabi: An Emirati perfume shop owner has a created a unique Year of Zayed perfume, with its fragrance based on the same local incense that was used by the late Shaikh Zayed.
“I started making this perfume when it was announced last year that 2018 would be the Year of Zayed, and so I wanted to make something special and to celebrate by having a Year of Zayed perfume. The formula of the perfume is from the pure oud and the one Shaikh Zayed used to like,” said Saleh Al Hammadi, the owner of Perfume Bay.
“I had to do a lot of research, finding out about the scents he used, and also talking with some of the people who used to work with him to get as close to the right scent as possible,” he added.
Al Hammadi said the Year of Zayed perfume — which will only be sold this year — has already proven to be a top draw at his shop.
“It’s the number one selling perfume for my shop, which is amazing because it’s only been selling for three months and I have so many other exclusive unique perfumes, but customers are coming and mainly asking for this perfume.
“I also have a lot of requests from shops in the UK and the US to buy the perfume as they want to also sell it in their shops. This makes me very happy; when I made the perfume it wasn’t about business or making a profit, I wanted to do something to honour the founding father of the UAE, and now thanks to getting the perfume sold abroad, the Year of Zayed name will also be seen internationally,” he added.
“The people want this perfume because it is like a small connection with Shaikh Zayed, and so that’s why it’s been so popular,” he said.
Arabian line
Al Hammadi, who has been involved in the perfume industry for 15 years, says his ambition is to see Arabic perfume recognised internationally.
“This is a passion for me, perfume and local incense are a big part of our culture. We are using the oud since history, and we have many special and different styles that we use. We use it when we go to the mosques, when we invite guests to the house, and so there’s always a different occasion for it.
“I like to sit with the older generation to learn from them as well. I sometimes give them some of my perfume and oud samples to get their opinion because they have a lot of knowledge and expertise in this area. It’s always important to get the right formula,” he added.
Al Hammadi says he is happy to have seen the market for Arabic perfume grow, something he believes will continue.
“Compared to when I started, the market for Arabic perfume and local incenses has definitely increased, these products have a much higher demand and influence than before.
“There is even demand from abroad now, and also foreign perfume makers who are branding their fragrances for the Gulf market, this wasn’t something very common previously, but there is a niche market for this now,” he added.
