The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Rayhaan launched in Dubai in 2020 under the direction of Khalid Kalsekar, whose family connection to Rasasi gives the house an established foundation in Middle Eastern perfumery traditions. The brand set out to bridge those traditions with contemporary sensibilities, building accessibility into its mission from the start. Obsidian represents this philosophy directly, taking familiar luxury materials like oud and leather and presenting them through a lens that feels approachable rather than intimidating. The brand's intent is clear: quality that does not require extensive knowledge to appreciate. Iris appears as a deliberate choice to soften the entry point, creating an opening that welcomes rather than challenges the wearer before the bolder leather heart arrives.
The note selection in Obsidian reflects Rayhaan's commitment to bridging traditions. Oud and sandalwood represent centuries of Middle Eastern perfumery expertise, materials that carry weight and history in the region. Cedarwood amplifies this woody character while maintaining the dry quality typical of high-quality base materials. Iris functions as the bridge, offering a powdery floral note that Western perfumery has long favored and creating balance between the Eastern and Western influences the brand seeks to unite. Ambrette adds a sustainable musk dimension that rounds out the base without resorting to synthetic alternatives.
The evolution
The journey of Obsidian moves from powdery elegance to grounded authority. Initially, iris and citrus arrive together, with the citrus providing immediate brightness and the iris softening the edges into something unexpectedly gentle. This opening lasts for the first fifteen minutes or so before the citrus fades and leather begins to assert itself. The leather heart takes over with confidence, replacing the softness of the opening with something textured and present. This phase dominates the middle hours of wear and marks the fragrance's primary character. As time passes, the drydown introduces oud, cedarwood, sandalwood, and ambrette. Oud and cedarwood provide warmth while sandalwood smooths the transition and ambrette adds a musky sweetness that keeps the wood notes from becoming harsh. The evolution demonstrates how accessibility does not mean simplicity; the layers unfold deliberately and reward continued attention.
Cultural impact
Obsidian arrived in 2025 into a fragrance landscape that had been re-exploring the iris-leather axis ever since Dior Homme Intense became a collector's item. What Rayhaan does differently is make that profile accessible, not by diluting it, but by trusting the composition to do the work. Wearers who know DHI tend to notice the family resemblance immediately; those unfamiliar with the reference find something that stands on its own. Either way, Obsidian occupies that rare space where a fragrance can be both familiar and surprising.
