The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Morning In Kundasang was created by Sonali Said and Kriss Mokhtar and launched in 2022 as a study of a cold, foggy morning in Kundasang, Malaysia. Its inspiration comes directly from fresh, cold, foggy mornings in Kundasang: the clipped green character of Sabah Snake Grass, the kitchen-like snap of celery, and the cool lift of lime, orange, and lemon. Opoponax and anise bring a resinous, aromatic tension beneath that freshness. Lavender softens the composition without making it conventionally floral, while musk and Virginia Cedarwood give the fog a soft, woody landing. Together, the notes move between crisp citrus, green herbal detail, warm spice, and smooth wood, creating a composition that feels cool at first and gradually more rounded.
The striking part is the collision of cultivated and wild notes. Celery behaves almost like a green garnish, sharp and savory, while Sabah Snake Grass carries an aromatic wildness that recalls the damp atmosphere of the highlands. Opoponax and anise keep the brightness from becoming simple citrus, adding a darker, resinous and lightly spiced dimension. Lavender bridges those contrasting edges with a soft herbal quality, and the foggy musk accord settles the composition into a mist-like trail. Together, they create freshness with enough spice and wood to feel dimensional rather than fleeting.
The evolution
The opening arrives with the clarity of cold air: citrus brightness, snapped green stems, and the herbal lift of lavender. Sabah Snake Grass and celery keep it from reading like a conventional lemon fragrance, adding a slightly savory, field-gathered quality. As the first citrus facets soften, Opoponax and anise introduce a darker aromatic spice. Musk then smooths the edges, while Cedarwood gives the composition a dry wooden spine. The result is less a disappearing fresh scent than a fog that slowly turns creamy and woody on skin. Over time, the bright citrus and sharp green notes recede gradually, giving way to a softer blend of lavender, musk, spice, and wood that remains close to the skin.
Cultural impact
Morning In Kundasang turns the atmosphere of a cold, foggy morning in Kundasang, Malaysia into a fragrance shaped by green, spicy, citrus, herbal, and woody notes. Sabah Snake Grass and celery bring a distinctive aromatic edge, while lime, orange, and lemon provide brightness. Opoponax and anise deepen the composition, and lavender, musk, and Virginia Cedarwood give it a soft, hazy finish. The result invites close attention to how fresh, savory, resinous, and woody elements interact as the scent moves from its crisp opening toward a warmer trail on skin.
The House
Bahfamsn FragranceBahfamsn Fragrance is an indie perfume house rooted in the rain‑forested highlands of North Borneo, Malaysia. The brand opened its doors in 2020 and quickly built a modest online presence that now reaches collectors worldwide. Its 2022 launch introduced a suite of scents that echo specific locales – from the misty mornings of Kundasang to the aromatic notes of Borneo tea. Bahfamsn positions itself as a small‑batch creator that ships globally while staying tied to the natural rhythms of its birthplace.
The Creator
Sonali Said & Kriss MokhtarLuwak Touch serves as the primary evidence of Sonali Said's stylistic sensibilities. The fragrance's character suggests a perfumer unafraid of animalic complexity and unusual accords.
