From imminent fragrance launches to ornate packaging for each scent, Mona Kattan, founder of Kayali has always infused Middle Eastern traditions into each perfume release.
Bursting with flavour is Kayali’s latest launch, Eden Juicy Apple | 01. Created with hints of Red Apple, Lychee and more, this scent revolves around the refreshing fruit leaving its wearers “totally addicted.”
Launched as the ninth fragrance in the KAYALI collection, this daring fusion is a blend of several olfactive assets and it captures all those youthful moments in one bottle.
Emirates Woman sat down with Mona to speak about this exclusive fragrance launched specially for the festive season and what led her to launch the brand.
What inspired you to create this bespoke fragrance?
I really wanted to create something that was super juicy and youthful highlighting the crisp, sweet red apple notes. The result is a playful, vibrant fruity floral fragrance that is irresistibly mouth-watering and literally makes you explode with joy. I feel like this juice is the song ‘Young, Wild and Free’ in a bottle.
How did you choose the notes? Do you have a process?
This process differs with each juice that we make. Sometimes we start with an ingredient that I feel really drawn to, or with an emotion or a feeling that I want to bottle, and that was exactly what happened with Eden Juicy Apple | 01. I wanted to create something fun, fresh, and youthful that was also bold, and the juicy red apple note captured this mood perfectly. So, we went from there and after several variations of the juice, we went back to the first submission, which is why this fragrance has 01 in its name. This was the first time that we’ve ever chosen the first variation of a juice to be the final fragrance with KAYALI.
This scent is created with a mixture of fruits, how did you find the right balance?
It’s a delicate dance, but this is something that I worked closely on with Gabriela Chelariu and Clement Gavarry, our perfumers from Firmenich. So, while we have the juicy notes of red apple, wild berries, and lychee, the floral notes of the jasmine and rose, this fragrance is anchored by the sweet vanilla flower and soft sensual musk to help keep the juice harmoniously balanced.
What led you to co-collaborating with the fragrance experts, Gabriela Chelariu and Clement Gavarry for this particular scent?
I love working with Gabi, she’s the nose behind a lot of our fragrances, including our beloved Vanilla 28 and Déjà Vu White Flower and Clement from Firmenich as they are both incredibly talented and so meticulous in how they bring fragrance dreams to life.
What were some of the challenges you faced in creating this scent and how did you overcome them?
Trying to create a fragrance with a particular thought in mind can be challenging so we really wanted to make sure that exactly what we were trying to convey came through. We kept modifying the juice to see if we could make it better than the first submission but after a number of changes, we realized that our hearts were set on our original juice. I truly believe in trusting your gut instincts so I’m really happy with the result.
What memories are closely associated with Eden Juicy Apple for you?
Eden Juicy Apple takes me back straight back to the ‘90s and my teenage years. It makes me think of the quintessential American girl like Cher from Clueless or Elle Woods from Legally Blonde, but it’s a more sophisticated and elevated version of what they would wear.
What are your tips for making a scent last longer?
You can never go wrong with layering. It’s such a great way to make your scent last longer. I like to start out by hydrating my skin, right now I am addicted to our new Vanilla | 28 Hand Cream, then spraying a fragrance directly onto the skin. Ideally, you want to hit your pulse points, inside of your elbows, back of your knees, nape of your neck, to help with the diffusion of the juice throughout the day. However, don’t ignore your clothing or hair as they tend to retain scent much longer than skin. For hair, I recommend spraying on a towel or brush first to help the alcohol evaporate before applying it to wet or dry hair.
Are there any popular fragrance notes that you’ve observed in the Middle East?
Oud has always been one of the most significant fragrance notes for centuries. It is so rich and intense, and one of the most expensive ingredients in fragrance; and I really grew to love and appreciate it when my family moved back to the region. Invite Only Amber | 23 is the first juice we’ve created for KAYALI using oud and I’m obsessed with it.
What was the reason behind launching KAYALI?
I’ve been obsessed with fragrances and scents for as long as I can remember and properly started collecting perfumes when I was a teenager and working my first job. I always loved the way that fragrances made me feel and how they could instantly transform my mood and ignite my confidence. I always dreamed of one day having my own fragrance brand and I knew that I wanted it to be a way to showcase my Middle Eastern culture to the world. This is why we talk a lot about layering, I wanted to empower and educate people to use their own imagination to create their own unique scents.
Did you always want to launch the brand here in the Middle East region?
I feel like I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit however when I moved to Dubai over 17 years ago, I had no idea that we would end up where were we are today! I quickly learned that Dubai is full of opportunities, so starting our businesses in Dubai felt organic to us. We’re really proud to be a home-grown beauty brand here in the UAE and couldn’t have done it without the support of our friends and community. It’s so encouraging, and we can’t wait for you guys to see what we have in store next.
For more information visit kayalifragrance.com
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