Master Perfumer

Abdulla Ajmal

Abdulla Ajmal arrived in the UAE in 1988 with family roots reaching back to the Assam countryside, where his grandfather began crafting fragrance with modest means and unwavering intent. Born in Mumbai, Abdulla absorbed the family's perfume culture early before heading to the UK for international exposure that would reshape his understanding of the industry. He returned to Dubai and joined the family house in 1996, rising from operational roles into executive leadership as Deputy CEO and eventually CEO of Ajmal Group. Working closely alongside his brother Asadulla, who heads design and development, Abdulla has navigated the brand through decades of expansion while keeping the family ethos intact. One moment that crystallized his sense of purpose came when he realized he was now training the next generation—his cousin Maryam, who works in the perfumery division—just as someone once trained him. The arc from Assam farmer to global fragrance executive runs through him like a scent that never quite fades.

Active since 19961 brand6 creations

See notable work

Output

Fragrances composed

Acclaim

4.1

Average rating

across the catalogue

Career

1996

First composition

The hits

Notable creations

The signature

How Abdulla composes

Abdulla favors compositions that balance richness with restraint. His work tends toward layered florals, warm woods, and strategic use of musk as a connector between notes. The Ajmal house style leans into depth and longevity, often building fragrances that reveal different facets over hours on the skin rather than projecting loudly at first spray. He has a particular affinity for ingredients rooted in the brand's South Asian heritage, bridging Eastern and Western preferences without compromising either.

Philosophy

What drives Abdulla

For Abdulla, perfumery is discipline before creativity. He has spoken publicly about training the nose deliberately, practicing daily to sharpen perception rather than relying on instinct alone. He believes brands that endure are anchored in a clear voice, not chasing whatever trend circulates that season. Honesty and quality sit at the center of how he approaches both product and business—values inherited from a family that built its reputation without fanfare. He modernizes a legacy operation not by abandoning heritage but by respecting it while remaining open to change.

The houses