Arabian Fragrances

Amber, golden hues, enigmas… osMoz throws the doors to a secret olfactory world wide open. An opulent voyage to the very roots of fragrance in this exceptional issue, ranging from Oman to Qatar via Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia.
Report by Nicolas Olczyk


The people of the Arabian Peninsula are great lovers of fragrance, and have been since time immemorial. In this cradle of olfactory culture (where the roots of noble ingredients like myrrh and incense can be found), the fragrant tradition has been perpetuated for centuries, leading to today’s olfactory world, which, though rich and varied, is surprisingly secretive.

Indeed, most fragrances worn in Arabia and the Gulf countries are still almost unknown to westerners. Or nearly so – a buzz has started amongst bottle collectors and rare fragrance fans for brands like Arabian Oud, Amouage and Al Qurashi.

The bottles are often sturdy and imposing, in shades of amber and gold; with their generous, eye-pleasing shapes and their golden arabesques and other adornments, they call to mind the shapes of certain monuments (domes and more), decorative elements and jewelry. Here is an overview of some of these as yet almost-undiscovered brands.

Other brands include Hamil Al Musk and Designer Shaik.