A newly launched creative centre in Dubai hopes to significantly boost the future of fragrance design in the Middle East. Within Dubai Science Park, the Scent Dubai Creative Centre is the latest expansion of International Flavours and Fragrances Inc’s fragrance facility.
More than just a space for perfume creation, it will serve as a hub for innovation, offering educational programmes and inviting visitors to co-create bespoke scents alongside world-class experts and master perfumers.
Spanning 2,000 square metres, the centre fuses advanced innovation with the centuries-old tradition of Middle Eastern perfumery. In a region where scent is deeply tied to identity, memory and rituals, IFF’s investment sends a message about how the future of fragrance lies in this region.
“The Middle East is a key market for our global growth,” says Erik Fyrwald, chief executive of IFF, a French-founded perfume creation studio that has produced some of the world’s most popular scents. “We have been operating in Dubai for 15 years, so expanding our facilities in this very high-growth market where we already have expertise and experience was a natural decision.”
With the Middle Eastern fragrance market projected to reach $7.6 billion by 2034, this expansion is timely. But IFF’s move is about more than numbers; it’s about proximity to artistry and a deep cultural alignment.
This new creative epicentre offers clients direct access to world-class perfumers, semi-industrial production capabilities and a fully immersive perfumery art studio that fosters co-creation. “It is an attractive location to collaborate even more closely with our customers to deliver leading innovations in fine and consumer fragrance even faster,” Fyrwald adds.
The centre features several evaluation booths dedicated to a variety of scent categories – from fine fragrance to home, fabric and beauty care – each outfitted with the latest technologies for olfactory testing and development. A dedicated perfumery academy also supports the next generation of scent designers. The centre also integrates traditional Arab architecture, including a majlis, which will become a space for stories to be told through scent.
Few understand this storytelling process better than Jean-Christophe Herault, one of IFF’s leading perfumers. Known for his bold, expressive creations, Herault sees fragrance in the Middle East as a way of life. “The Middle East has a rich and storied tradition of fragrance that dates back centuries,” he says. “Fragrances here are not just about personal scent, they are also used in rituals and celebrations.”
Herault explains how visiting Dubai allows IFF perfumers to engage more deeply with local culture, resulting in scents that are culturally resonant. “Fragrances that resonate more deeply with the local audience and innovate in ways that are culturally relevant” are now within reach. But he admits that creativity does not come without challenges.
“One of the biggest challenges is balancing creativity with sustainability. Ensuring that our creations are innovative and sustainable requires ongoing research into alternative, eco-friendly ingredients.”
IFF’s Dubai space also connects seamlessly with its global creative network. The new art studio is a local expression of the brand’s Atelier du Parfumeur in Grasse, as well as its Shanghai studio, bringing together East and West in a single collaborative space. The centres act as creative hubs where perfumery artists from around the world can demonstrate their skills alongside regional talent. Many of the company’s master perfumers were in Dubai for the opening of the centre and are expected to visit the space regularly moving forward.
Veteran IFF master perfumer Pascal Gaurin, who has created perfumes including Giorgio Armani’s My Way and Tom Ford’s Amber Intrigue, likens scent creation to songwriting. “I design fragrance pretty much the same way you build a song,” he shares.
“A story, a memorable riff to get your attention in the first few seconds and a catchy chorus to remember.” For Gaurin, this new space is a blank canvas of sensory potential. “The fragrances I design are not about me… my name is not on the bottle. Brands come to me to access skills and a signature I acquired over 30 years and ask me to translate their story olfactively.”
Where does he find inspiration? “Daydreaming,” he says, “and new captive molecules developed at IFF”. He also highlights IFF’s natural division based in Grasse: “We have a new collection of incredible citruses … bringing a lot of added value to our existing palette.” Yet for all the innovation, Gaurin reminds us that true fragrance icons are not made overnight. “What makes a fragrance icon? Time is the ultimate judge.”
IFF’s Scent Dubai Creative Centre offers a vision of fragrance as a collaborative art form. “Perfumery is in our DNA,” says Fyrwald.
“We’ve played a significant role in many industry-leading innovations since our company was founded more than 135 years ago. That is what enables IFF to continue creating alongside our customers to bring products to market that meet consumers’ rapidly evolving needs, but also in a way that’s good for people and the planet.”
RESULTS
6.30pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (Dirt) 1,200
Winner: Miqyaas, Adrie de Vries (jockey), Rashed Bouresly (trainer).
7.05pm: Handicap Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Untold Secret, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.
7.40pm: Maiden Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Shanty Star, Fabrice Veron, Rashed Bouresly.
8.15pm: Handicap Dh190,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Alkaamel, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi.
8.50pm: Handicap Dh175,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Speedy Move, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
9.25pm: Handicap Dh175,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Quartier Francois, Fernando Jara, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
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Sheer grandeur
The Owo building is 14 storeys high, seven of which are below ground, with the 30,000 square feet of amenities located subterranean, including a 16-seat private cinema, seven lounges, a gym, games room, treatment suites and bicycle storage.
A clear distinction between the residences and the Raffles hotel with the amenities operated separately.
SPEC%20SHEET
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Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
Key facilities
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- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
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- 600-seat auditorium
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
IPL 2018 FINAL
Sunrisers Hyderabad 178-6 (20 ovs)
Chennai Super Kings 181-2 (18.3 ovs)
Chennai win by eight wickets
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Business Insights
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Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
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Barbie
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TUESDAY'S ORDER OF PLAY
Centre Court
Starting at 2pm:
Malin Cilic (CRO) v Benoit Paire (FRA) [8]
Not before 4pm:
Dan Evans (GBR) v Fabio Fogini (ITA) [4]
Not before 7pm:
Pablo Carreno Busta (SPA) v Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) [2]
Roberto Bautista Agut (SPA) [5] v Jan-Lennard Struff (GER)
Court One
Starting at 2pm
Prajnesh Gunneswaran (IND) v Dennis Novak (AUT)
Joao Sousa (POR) v Filip Krajinovic (SRB)
Not before 5pm:
Rajeev Ram (USA) and Joe Salisbury (GBR) [1] v Marin Cilic v Novak Djokovic (SRB)
Nikoloz Basilashvili v Ricardas Berankis (LTU)
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
About Karol Nawrocki
• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.
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Engine: 1.5-litre
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Power: 110 horsepower
Torque: 147Nm
Price: From Dh59,700
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Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
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Rating: 3.5/5
Zayed Sustainability Prize
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
SPECS
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Power: 360bhp
Torque: 500Nm
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions