The Ritual and Heritage of Scent

Scent is powerful.

Just a hint of someone’s perfume has the magical ability to transport us somewhere completely different. It can trigger memories, stir emotions, and linger long after a person has left. That same power is deeply woven into Emirati culture, where fragrance isn’t just about smell. It’s about family and memories, ritual and identity. This is why we added “perfume” to our ever-growing list of things we needed to know more about. A lot more.

So, we found ourselves in Dubai, at the Perfume Museum, a hidden gem tucked inside the winding alleysways of the traditional Al Shindaga area.

Walking inside, you’re immediately taken back in time. The limestone walls, the shells pressed into plaster, the rows of vessels and tools, it’s all part of a larger story. As we moved through the space, we saw oud burners made of metal and ceramic. And then, something remarkable: a tiny clay pot, excavated from an archaeological site that dated back to the 9th century CE it was a reminder that the ritual of scent has always mattered.

Fragrance isn’t just about smell, it’s about family, ritual and identity.

In Emirati homes, perfume-making has long been a domestic craft. Passed down like a family recipe, women blended ingredients using knowledge inherited from their mothers and grandmothers, creating fragrances that were deeply unique and personal. A secret held close between generations. This depth is a common thread in our endless pursuit of knowledge about the UAE. There is always something more. A story, a connection to the past, another layer. And perfume is no exception.

Walking out of the museum, we were reminded of why we create in the first place - We don’t just design to make, we design to understand. To connect. And to contribute, respectfully, to stories that have been unfolding for generations.