The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
The name says it all. Itqan means mastery in Arabic, and this fragrance is exactly that. Created by Imran Fazlani and launched in 2024, Itqan Noir was built on a single principle: achievement without excess. No mountains of notes, no architectural complexity for its own sake. Citrus, white floral, and woody materials arranged with precision and purpose. The composition is the statement. Nothing more is needed.
What makes Itqan Noir worth knowing is how Fazlani chose to bridge the gap between brightness and depth. Most fragrances that open with bergamot either stay light or reach for heavy woods to ground themselves. Here, orange blossom does the bridging work, luminous, almost waxy, the kind of floral that has actual body rather than just smelling like a concept. Paired with ambroxan, it prevents the usual clean-soap trajectory entirely. And patchouli in the base is not playing games, it keeps things grounded, earthy, with a faint animal salt that gives the drydown real character instead of just fading into skin.
The evolution
Spray it and bergamot hits hard, sharp, lemony, the kind of citrus that demands attention. It lasts fifteen minutes before softening. That initial punch is not for everyone, and the fragrance does not apologize for it. Once it settles, orange blossom blooms in the heart, velvety, almost waxy, with a presence that fills the space between bright and warm. The transition is seamless. The drydown arrives around the third hour as patchouli and ambroxan take over. Patchouli brings its earthy, slightly camphorated weight while ambroxan adds a mineral, salt-kissed quality that stops it from becoming heavy. By the sixth hour, the sillage is intimate, a skin scent that someone standing close will notice. On fabric the next morning, there is still a trace. The fragrance does not announce itself at the end. It leaves quietly, which is somehow more memorable.
Cultural impact
Itqan Noir dropped into the 2024 fragrance landscape as a deliberate statement about restraint. Where many contemporary releases pile on notes to signal complexity, this one arranges four materials with purpose. The community response reflects that intent, strong value ratings, consistent longevity reports, and wearers who return to it precisely because it refuses to shout.
The House
ZimayaZimaya is a UAE-based fragrance house operating as a sub-brand of Afnan Perfumes. Founded in 2023 by Imran Fazlani, who serves as art director for the parent company, Zimaya specializes in Arabic perfumes that blend traditional Middle Eastern perfumery with contemporary accessibility. The brand debuted at Beautyworld Middle East 2023, occupying significant space on the Afnan stand. With a catalog exceeding 100 perfumes, Zimaya offers compositions spanning deep ouds, orientals, florals, woody, and gourmand profiles for men and women. The brand's portfolio includes collections such as Sharaf, Tiramisu, Mazaaj, Daiman, Infrad, Siada, Charisma, and Abadi.
The Creator
Imran FazlaniFazlani maintains involvement at every stage of creation—from initial concept through final refinement. As both founder and chairman, he functions as creative director, guiding perfumers toward specific olfactory directions and reviewing each adjustment with precision.













































