Leading up to the UAE National Day, we sat down with Sultan Abdulla, the custodian of an olfactory legacy. As Chairman of Lootah Perfumes, he bridges worlds – transforming the scent of his grandmother’s wooden bukhoor boxes into a global narrative of Emirati heritage. In his hands, fragrance becomes a living archive of memory, a testament to how tradition can breathe through the modern world. We explore the journey of a brand where every bottle contains not just perfume, but the very soul of a culture.

Your grandmother’s wooden boxes of Bukhoor were the starting point. When did you realize this family ritual was a brand in waiting?

I don’t think I realised it as a “brand” at first, it began as a feeling. Growing up, those wooden bukhoor boxes weren’t just objects; they were part of our home’s identity. Their scent announced moments of hospitality, warmth, and gathering. As I grew older, I understood that this ritual held a universal beauty. The world was moving toward modernity, but these traditions still carried profound emotional weight. That was the moment I realized, if we didn’t preserve and elevate this heritage, it could fade. Lootah Perfumes was born from the desire to translate these family moments into something that could live for generations.

How do you balance being a custodian of the past and an architect of the future?

I see both roles as interconnected. The past gives us direction, and the future gives us purpose. My responsibility is to protect the soul of our heritage, the values, rituals, and craftsmanship, while finding new ways to express them. Innovation at Lootah Perfumes is never about replacing tradition; it is about extending it. When this balance is respected, the brand evolves naturally without losing its identity.

What’s the most unexpected lesson from government service that you apply to building a luxury brand?

The most important lesson I carried with me is that people are everything. They build institutions, they shape nations, and they deserve respect and empowerment. I bring that same philosophy into Lootah Perfumes — my team comes first, and there is no compromise when it comes to creating an environment where they can grow, contribute, and feel valued.

Government service also taught me discipline and clarity of purpose. You quickly learn that every decision must serve a larger vision, not just the moment. That mindset shapes how I approach product creation, expansion, and brand integrity at Lootah. Luxury, much like public service, demands consistency, responsibility, and patience. These qualities cannot be rushed, they must be lived every day.

Does leading a family legacy feel more like a privilege or a pressure?

It’s both. The privilege is in carrying forward a legacy built with love and craftsmanship. The pressure comes from knowing how much it means to our family and to the community that has supported us for generations. But I believe pressure, when guided by purpose, becomes motivation. It pushes us to evolve responsibly.

What was the first scent you ever tried to create as a teenager?

I remember trying to recreate a scent that reminded me of the desert at sunset, warm, slightly sweet, and earthy. I mixed ingredients that absolutely did not belong together, but what stayed with me wasn’t the formula; it was the fascination. I learned that scent is a language, and we at Lootah Perfumes have been trying to master it ever since.

Describe the “Dubai scent” in just three notes.

Amber for its warmth. Oud for its depth. Musk for its understated elegance. Together, they reflect the city: bold, welcoming, and refined.

Where do you draw the line between tradition and innovation in your creations?

The line appears when innovation risks diluting meaning. Tradition provides the emotional truth of our scents; innovation provides the expression. As long as we remain authentic at our core, whether through ingredients, rituals, or craftsmanship, innovation becomes a tool for the brands future.

Which of the new trio—Velvet Dawn, Lava Oud, or Palomino Bukhoor—is the most you?

Each one represents a different aspect of my personality, but if I had to choose, I would say Velvet Dawn. It has a quiet strength, a blend of refinement and intensity.

Who did you imagine wearing the intense, smoky “Lava Oud”?

Lava Oud was created for someone who embraces presence. A person who appreciates oud not just as a scent, but as a statement. They may walk into a room quietly, but the impression they leave is unforgettable.

What does it mean to bring a scent “home” by turning Palomino perfume into a Bukhoor?

Palomino is one of our bestselling classics. It is loved far and wide so transforming it into a bukhoor felt like returning the fragrance to its origins. Perfume is intimate, it lives on the skin. Bukhoor, however, fills a home and becomes part of family rituals. By creating Palomino Bukhoor, we allowed people to experience the fragrance not only personally, but collectively.

What has been the most significant challenge in taking Lootah Perfumes from a homegrown name to an international contender?

The challenge was ensuring the world understood our identity without simplifying it. Emirati perfumery is rich, layered, and meaningful, far more than a trend. Balancing expansion with authenticity required deliberate choices: the right partners, the right markets, the right storytelling. Once people experience the depth of our fragrances, the connection becomes natural.

How does a heritage brand like Lootah Perfumes contribute to the UAE’s modern National Day narrative?

National Day celebrates the UAE’s vision: honoring where we come from while reaching confidently toward the future. Lootah embodies that duality. Our work preserves the scents, rituals, and artistry that have shaped Emirati culture for generations, while presenting them in a modern language the world can appreciate. We contribute by being a living example of how tradition and progress can coexist seamlessly.

What’s the next frontier or dream ingredient for Lootah Perfumes?

We are fascinated by rare natural resins, ingredients with deep history that are becoming difficult to source responsibly. Our dream is to work with one of these materials in a way that is sustainable, ethical, and creatively groundbreaking. The future of perfumery lies not only in discovering new ingredients, but in honoring the old ones with care.

Discover more @lootahperfumes 

– For more on how to look smart and live smarter, follow Emirates Man on Facebook and Instagram

Images: Supplied