Swiss Arabian

Swiss Arabian is the UAE's first perfume house, founded in Sharjah in 1974 by Hussein Adam Ali, a Yemeni perfumer who partnered with the Swiss fragrance house Givaudan to bring international standards to Arabian perfumery. The name reflects that partnership, "Swiss" for craftsmanship and precision, "Arabian" for the brand's roots in centuries of Middle Eastern scent tradition.

The Rose 01 Eau De Parfum is a favourite scent for her, opening with Lychee, Bergamot and Pink Pepper before blooming into a heart of Bulgarian Rose and Peony, finishing on a creamy base of Musk, Vanilla and Cashmere Wood. For something fresher and fruitier, the Shaghaf Nectar Blush Eau De Parfum opens with Yuzu, Pear and Blackcurrant, moving through a floral heart of Gardenia and Orange Blossom, before settling into a warm, gourmand base of Patchouli, Vanilla and Tonka. The Shaghaf Women Eau De Parfum takes a sweeter, zestier route, opening with Lime and Lemon before moving into a dessert-like heart of Praline, Apple and Peony, finishing on a warm base of Musk and Cedar, while for a bolder choice, the Patchouli 01 Extrait De Parfum leans woodier and more resinous, opening with Pink Pepper, Lavender and Grapefruit, before finishing on a rich, earthy base of Patchouli, Tonka and Vanilla.

The Shaghaf Oud Ahmar Eau De Parfum is a strong pick for him, opening with Melon, Peach and Bergamot before moving through Apple, Amber and Rose, finishing on a rich base of Sandalwood, Vanilla and Oud, while the Shaghaf Oud Tonka Eau De Parfum takes a warmer, gourmand route, opening with Almond before settling into Cinnamon Bark and Turkish Rose, then a sweet base of Tonka, Vanilla and Amberwood. The Shaghaf Men Eau De Parfum offers a fresher, more aquatic option, opening with Lavender, Lemon and Orange before moving through a spicy heart of Cardamom and Cinnamon, finishing on a warm base of Black Amber, Patchouli and Rosewood. For something fresher still, the Musk 01 Extrait De Parfum opens with Bergamot, Pink Pepper and Elemi, moving into a floral heart of Orange Blossom and Lily, before finishing on a creamy base of Tonka, Vanilla and Sandalwood.

Shaghaf, meaning "all-consuming passion" in Arabic, is one of Swiss Arabian's most celebrated collections, built around rich, warm fragrances that lean into intensity and depth. The Shaghaf Oud Royale Eau De Parfum opens with Saffron and Lavender before settling into a spicy, woody base of Oud, Patchouli and Musk, while the Shaghaf Tobacco 01 Extrait De Parfum takes a sweeter, smokier route, opening with Plum and Pink Pepper before finishing on a rich base of Tobacco, Honey and Vanilla. Rounding things out, the Shaghaf Amber Infusion Eau De Parfum opens with Amber, Ginger and Cardamom, moving through Vanilla and Cedar, before settling into a warm, resinous base of Patchouli, Leather and Musk.

Swiss Arabian was the first perfume manufacturer in the UAE, and its early partnership with Givaudan gave it a level of technical expertise that set it apart from more traditional, informal perfume trading at the time. That blend of authentic Arabian heritage with Western fragrance technology remains at the core of the brand today.

Yes, longevity is one of the things Swiss Arabian is best known for, with many of their fragrances built around rich, warm base notes like Musk, Amber and Oud that help the scent stay on the skin for hours. For maximum staying power, their Parfums offer a higher concentration of fragrance oils than an Eau de Parfum, so a light application in the morning should easily see you through the day.