For more than seven decades, Ajmal Perfumes embodies a certain idea of oriental perfumery: one where oud becomes poetry, where craftsmanship combines with creative audacity and where the East dialogues with the West. On the occasion of TFWA World Exhibition & Conference, the global travel retail event held from September 28 to October 2, 2025 in Cannes, the house confirmed its status as a key player on the international scene.
Among 164 prestigious houses Gathered in the Perfumes & Cosmetics space, Ajmal unveiled its latest collections, designed specifically for the duty-free market. A striking presence that illustrates the global expansion of a brand born in India, enhanced in Dubai, and now acclaimed around the world.
A story born in India, sublimated in Dubai
The story of Ajmal Perfumes is above all that of a man and his vision. Haji Ajmal Ali, a farmer's son from Assam, India, discovered the inestimable potential of oud wood, a rare and mystical ingredient, in the 1950s. From cultivator, he became a pioneer, building a perfume house that would transform the olfactory destiny of the Middle East.
In 1976, the house set up its headquarters in Dubai, at the heart of a commercial hub that would propel Ajmal onto the world stage. This strategic decision made it possible to marry Indian heritage with the dynamism of the Gulf, while opening the doors to international luxury.
Even today, Ajmal remains a family business, passed down from generation to generation. With 74 years of experience, she continues to conjugate tradition, innovation and sustainability, faithful to the visionary spirit of its founder.
Oud, the soul of Ajmal Perfumes
A symbol of prestige and rarity, theold is much more than a raw material for Ajmal: it is his identity, his heritage and his signature. This precious wood, from theAquilaria, only releases its resin after an exceptional natural phenomenon: when it is infected by a microfungus, it secretes a dark and aromatic sap which, once distilled, becomes oud oil.
Ajmal stands out with a unique approach: the patented cultivation of oud wood in Assam, India, guaranteeing authenticity, traceability and sustainability. Since the 1950s, this direct link with nature has made the house the "King of Oud", a title that resonates as much in the Gulf as in European or American capitals.
Historically, oud was presented in a raw and powerful way, but Ajmal knew how to reinvent its languageToday, the house explores more contemporary associations: oud and rose, oud and white musk, oud and citrus fruits, creating refined scents that appeal to the Middle East as well as Paris, London and New York.
Did you know? The secrets of Oud
- Used for over 1 years in spiritual and medicinal rituals in Asia and the Middle East.
- Less of 2% of aquilaria trees naturally produce the precious resin.
- More expensive than gold: its price can reach several tens of thousands of euros per kilo.
- Each oud is unique: its smell varies depending on the age of the tree, the soil and the distillation.
- Ajmal, a sustainable pioneer: its plantations in Assam ensure ethical and traceable oud.
Key ingredients for universal creations
While oud remains the DNA of the house, Ajmal has expanded its olfactory range. His creations explore a range of noble materials:
The rose of Taif and the rose of Damascus : floral intensity, romanticism and sophistication.
Musk : sensuality and depth, reinterpreted today with ethical alternatives.
Amber : enveloping warmth and resinous softness, the signature of oriental perfumes.
Spices (saffron, cardamom, black pepper) : an olfactory vibration that evokes the markets of the Orient.
Precious woods (sandalwood, patchouli, cedar) : elegant structures that balance the power of the compositions.
This marriage of Eastern and Western materials is at the heart of the house's creative strategy: to offer universal fragrances, capable of seducing very different audiences without ever betraying the essence of Ajmal.
Iconic collections in Cannes
At the heart of the Cannes presentation was The Untold Stories, an iconic collection designed by five international perfumers. Each fragrance bears the unique imprint of its creator, capturing emotions and inspirations to redefine the codes of contemporary perfumery.
Following the success of this collection, which reached a Western audience in search of stories and authenticity, Ajmal unveiled a world exclusive in Cannes: the Oud Marquis collection. Previewed in the United States before an international release, it celebrates the refined tradition of French perfumery while embodying Ajmal's oriental know-how. Each fragrance becomes a subtle dialogue between Parisian elegance and oriental depth, offering timeless, sophisticated and resolutely modern olfactory experiences.
A global house, a sustainable vision
Today, Ajmal is present in more than 60 countries and through 350 outletsBeyond expansion, the house is committed to responsible luxury: sustainable sourcing, exceptional craftsmanship, and the transmission of a deep cultural heritage.
Each fragrance tells a story, connecting tradition and modernityAs Abdulla Ajmal, CEO of the group, recalls:
“With over 70 years of expertise, Ajmal Perfumes has become a globally integrated perfume house, offering a universe that goes beyond oud and oriental creations, to open up to a palette of Western fragrances designed for an international audience.”
Through his creations, Ajmal asserts a conviction: luxury is not limited to the rarity of materials, but resides in the ability to move and transmit.
At Cannes, Ajmal didn't just present new products: the house recalled what has made it strong for over 70 years. Family know-how passed down from generation to generation, a unique olfactory mastery of oud, and above all, a vision that transcends the senses. By establishing itself at Cannes TFWA, Ajmal confirms that it is no longer just a confidential oriental house, but a global player, capable of seducing both Parisian perfume enthusiasts and lovers of olfactory rarities from Shanghai or New York.
A heritage, a boldness, and a signature: Ajmal Perfumes is today writing a new chapter in international haute perfumery.
Angélys Saint-Clair
