Heritage
A house, in its own words
Imran Fazlani, who has served as art director for Afnan Perfumes, established Zimaya as a distinct creative outlet within the Afnan umbrella. The brand made its first public appearance in fall 2023 at Beautyworld Middle East, one of the region's largest beauty and fragrance trade events, where visitors immediately recognized stylistic connections to Afnan's established aesthetic. Fragrantica noted that industry observers identified the new line at the show, confirming the project originated from Afnan's creative team. While Afnan itself has operated for years as a prominent Middle Eastern fragrance house, Zimaya launched as a fresh venture targeting contemporary consumers. Sources indicate the earliest recorded Zimaya fragrance dates to 2020, predating the official brand launch, with releases continuing through 2026. The brand draws heavily from Dubai's fragrance culture and traditional Arabic perfumery traditions, positioning itself as part of the evolution of Gulf-based perfume houses into globally recognized names.
Zimaya approaches fragrance as storytelling through scent, crafting compositions intended to evoke emotion, confidence, and individuality. The brand explicitly targets accessibility alongside quality, offering what multiple retailers describe as budget-friendly alternatives to niche and designer fragrances. The philosophy centers on balancing heritage and innovation, drawing from traditional Arabic perfumery ingredients like oud, musk, and amber while maintaining contemporary wearability. According to available brand messaging, Zimaya designs fragrances for everyday luxury rather than special occasion exclusivity. The brand's collections reflect diverse scent profiles, from soft florals and fresh aquatics to rich orientals and gourmand compositions, suggesting a deliberate strategy to reach broad consumer appeal across gender preferences and taste spectrums.