Heritage
A house, in its own words
Moe Khalaf and Ibrahim Faris launched Kajal Perfumes in 2012 after years of exposure to perfume rituals in their family home. Khalaf, who grew up in a household where scent marked daily moments, took on the role of creative director while Faris managed business development. The duo chose the name Kajal to evoke the intimate, dark eye liner used across the Middle East, a symbol of personal connection. Their first fragrance, Kajal Eau de Parfum, was created with perfumer Christian Carbonnel and debuted the same year, establishing a foothold in the Parisian niche market. Over the next decade the house expanded its catalogue, releasing scents such as Sareef (2017) and Jihan (2018) that drew on regional ingredients like oud, amber, and spice. In 2022 the brand introduced Almaz, a composition that highlighted rare Turkish rose and saffron. The following year saw the launch of Kajal III and Kajal IV, both part of a series that explores evolving facets of the brand’s olfactory identity. 2024 brought Äican, a fragrance that pairs citrus top notes with a heart of incense, reflecting Kajal’s ongoing dialogue between East and West. Throughout its history, Kajal has maintained a modest production scale, preferring small batches and direct distribution through its Paris boutique and select international partners. The house’s evolution mirrors a steady accumulation of scent concepts, many of which remain in a private library awaiting future release. Kajal approaches perfumery as a form of storytelling rooted in personal memory. The founders describe their work as an effort to translate the aromas of childhood homes, market bazaars, and desert evenings into bottled experiences. Rather than chasing fleeting trends, the brand selects ingredients that hold cultural significance, such as frankincense from Oman or Turkish rose from Isparta. Creative decisions are guided by a belief that scent can bridge geography and time, allowing wearers to access moments that are otherwise out of reach. Kajal’s creative process involves close collaboration with perfumers, who receive briefings that emphasize narrative over technical brief. The house also prioritizes transparency; it discloses key raw materials and their origins on its website, inviting consumers to understand the provenance of each note. Sustainability informs the brand’s values, with a preference for responsibly harvested botanicals and a reduction of synthetic additives when natural alternatives are available. This philosophy manifests in a library that balances bold, opulent compositions with restrained, minimalist pieces, offering a spectrum that reflects the founders’ dual heritage.