The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Rasasi has spent decades building a reputation for accessible luxury, blending the richness of Middle Eastern perfumery with a modern international sensibility. Hawas London represents a deliberate recalibration of that house signature, aimed at a wearer who wants something familiar yet fresher. The brief was clear: open bright and metallic, settle into a warm woody base, bridge the two with a floral heart that feels neither old-fashioned nor disposable. Rasasi turned to Jordi Fernandez to execute this vision, trusting a perfumer experienced in creating fragrances that balance immediate impact with lasting structure. The collaboration produced a scent that honors the house's DNA while pushing into new territory.
The note selection reflects a deliberate philosophy: open with something unexpected (pear and saffron together), bridge with warmth that respects tradition (frankincense), and finish with comfort that invites rewear (amber, vanilla, musk). Pairing advice follows naturally from this structure. The bright opening works with clean, minimal clothing, letting the metallic quality stand alone. The warm heart suits layering with complementary fragrances that share floral or resinous DNA. The drydown is subtle enough for close encounters but present enough for rooms, making this a versatile choice across occasions and settings.
The evolution
The journey starts at the opening with pear's crisp fruitiness, immediately lifted by saffron's exotic spice and pink pepper's bright edge. This phase feels electric, almost metallic, setting Hawas London apart from softer releases. As the top notes begin to settle, the heart reveals itself: white flowers and rose provide creamy floral depth while frankincense adds a smoky, resinous dimension that keeps the middle from becoming merely pretty. The transition is smooth, the warmth building naturally. By the time the drydown arrives, amber and vanilla create a honeyed glow, musk adds intimate closeness, and woody notes provide a dry, textured finish. Vanilla lingers in the background without overpowering, making the final hours feel cozy and refined.
Cultural impact
Hawas London represents Rasasi's expansion into accessible luxury, bringing contemporary fragrance design to a broader audience at an approachable price point. The 2026 launch brings modern rose fragrance with a metallic-cool opening and warm amber-woody base to consumers who might otherwise face premium pricing barriers. The fragrance's blend of transparent, fresh-oriental profiles with gender-neutral positioning offers something for those seeking modern rose scents with slight edge, without the typical barrier of premium pricing.
