Mona Kattan is the founder of the six-years-in-the-making fragrance brand Kayali. An ode to her Arab heritage, the perfumes centre around her Arab roots – from the oud scents to the carefully curated packaging.
Inspired by rich Middle Eastern perfume traditions, even the faceted glass bottle is a modern-day ode to the ornate, jewel-like flacons of old.
To delve into her journey, Emirates Woman spoke to the founder of KAYALI on how it all began
Talk us through your background.
As an Iraqi-American businesswoman, I’ve aimed to make a mark in the beauty and fragrance sectors. Born in Oklahoma in 1985 to Iraqi parents, I relocated to the UAE in 2003 and finished high school at Sharjah American International School. I later went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in finance from the American University of Sharjah. Although I initially pursued a career in investment banking, my path soon led me to the beauty industry.
What inspired you to launch Kayali?
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been obsessed with fragrances. I always say fragrance is like a bookmark in your life, as your sense of smell is directly linked to the area of the brain related to memories and emotions. When I moved to Dubai over 20 years ago, my love for fragrance became even stronger and it has played a major role in the expression of the brand, from our iconic diamond shaped bottle design to the rituals and traditions surrounding scents and layering. I wanted everyone who wore KAYALI to feel like the diamond that they are. That’s the beauty of fragrance – it’s such a special and unique experience for each wearer.
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What are the boldest scents created by KAYALI?
I do have a fragrance within the KAYALI family that I would say is me in a bottle and that is Sweet Diamond Pink Pepper|25. I love that it’s both soft and strong at the same time. I’ve also been obsessed with our latest addition to the Oudgasm Collection, Smoky Oud|07. It has notes of geranium, saffron, patchouli and oud that make it super intense, sexy and mysterious – I think that’s the scent that makes me feel powerful right now as it makes such a bold scent statement.
How has your understanding of fragrances evovled as you’ve continued your career in perfumery?
I’m becoming more adventurous in my approach. I’ve learned a great deal, though there’s still so much more to grasp. However, my knowledge now, after five years in the industry, is far beyond what I knew when I first began. This growth is definitely evident in the perfumes I create. I’ve also become more open and willing to experiment with different notes, as you never know what kind of magic might emerge.
Which fragrance from Kayali has a personal connection to your childhood?
The smell of vanilla birthday cake is one of my favorite childhood memories, which
inspired our cult fave, Vanilla |28.
Layering is one of the most important techniques in the perfumery world – could you elaborate on how it works?
Scent layering begins with more than just your perfumes; it starts with having well hydrated skin to create a good foundation for layering. Begin with your shower gel, shampoo, and body cream. I recommend starting with a moisturising cream and applying your perfumes to your pulse points. Also, don’t forget to lightly spritz some on your clothes; while your skin’s scent can evolve throughout the day, fragrances will cling to your clothes and hair.
You’re constantly balancing various roles – what are your tips to maintaining it all?
If you start working smart and doing things more purposefully, then your impact
is so much bigger than working countless hours.
What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs in the region?
If you ever decide to start a business, really do it from a place of passion! Pick something that you would do whether you were making money or losing money – there needs to be something that’s driving you beyond just financial gains. I want you to ask yourself why you want to be an entrepreneur. Because if the answer is to ‘take it easy and relax’, trust me, it’s not going to last very long. Most people need to work super, super hard to make something out of their idea, and then to make it last! If you want the chance to succeed and grow as an entrepreneur, take your time to understand your passions and your goals, research your idea, and be very purposeful with your time. Never stop pushing yourself to keep going, even after you’ve been disappointed so many times.
This is The Bold Issue – what does being bold mean to you?
To live authentically and do what you are passionate about! Do not be apologetic as you need to be true to yourself. It also means being fearless of taking risks and accept making mistakes and failing. Always pick yourself up and try again and again. You don’t need to worry about people’s opinions as it’s important to love every layer of yourself.
