Heritage
A house, in its own words
Catherine Omai grew up in Lagos, where the bustling markets and coastal breezes left an early imprint on her sense of smell. In 2009 she began mixing essential oils and aroma chemicals for friends and family, a hobby that quickly turned into a series of private commissions. Positive feedback encouraged her to formalise the practice, and she pursued formal training in perfumery, graduating with a classical foundation in scent composition. By 2019 she registered Catherine Omai Fragrances Ltd in the United Kingdom, a move that gave the brand a legal structure and opened doors to international trade. That same year she introduced her debut public fragrance, Contagious Gold, at the Pitti Fragranze trade show in Florence, where industry observers highlighted her as a bright new talent from Africa. The launch was followed by a modest but steady expansion of the line, with Contagious Rose and Contagious Green arriving in 2023. Each new release reinforced her reputation for drawing on Nigerian heritage while speaking in a contemporary olfactory language. Over the past decade Omai has remained a solo nose, overseeing formulation, sourcing and branding herself, and she continues to position the label as a bridge between African tradition and global fragrance culture. The core belief guiding Catherine Omai’s work is that scent can tell a story as vivid as any visual art. She views each fragrance as a chapter in the larger narrative of Nigeria’s diverse peoples, landscapes and rituals. Rather than chasing trends, Omai selects ingredients that echo specific memories – the heat of a Lagos sunrise, the scent of rain on savanna soil, the aroma of spice markets at dusk. Her creative process starts with a personal recollection, which she then translates into a palette of notes that can be experienced by anyone, regardless of background. Sustainability and ethical sourcing are woven into this vision; she prefers raw materials that support local growers and respects the cultural significance of traditional botanicals. Transparency is another pillar: Omai shares ingredient families and the inspiration behind each scent, inviting consumers to engage with the story behind the bottle. This approach reflects a broader commitment to authenticity, where the perfume serves both as a personal signature and a cultural ambassador.