A Euphoric Exploration of New Lands with Exotic Brands at Esxence

Exotic Brands from New Lands. New Brands from Exotic Lands.

I must start with a key explanation of the usage of the word ‘exotic’ and of the angle chosen for the article. Here, exotic* does not convey a colonial condescending view of selected countries but quite the opposite as the intent of the article is to put the light on ‘new’ lands and less known brand fragrances. There is no spirit of revolution either, or revenge, against the past colonial times from these brand founders who are at peace with their times and focus on revealing to the world the beauty of their country by translating it into perfumes. The founders have the renowned richness of ingredients from their lands and a vastness of inspirations in their hands, historical, cultural, geographical and original in the end. Exotic has therefore a positive connotation as it has the attraction of an unknown different world. In this instance, a fragrance makes us travel to a place somewhere in the distance where we have not been, at least not all of us. So, if you have not had the chance to visit a country belonging to the article selection, well, the scented discovery may serve as a splendid introduction to a land’s beauty and cultural unity.

Written by Laurence Arrigo Klove: READ MORE

In 2022, Tanal Ghandour founded Scent of Africa, the first fragrance house from Ghana, as a tribute to the beauty of Africa and its people with a firm intent to exhibit African ingredients like the fresh leaves of Buchu from South Africa featured in the perfume Laïka. The brand has a concept of scents duos and from the initial two fragrances launched, now counts a total of 10 perfumes. The luxury collection “Eternal Legends” by Scent of Africa is a creation by the hands of worldwide acclaimed perfumers. With passion, the brand reveres ancient legends, unique African mythologies and gods’ stories. Scent of Africa believes in a divine balance, between a story of a goddess and a god paired in two fragrances. Anancy and Assaye, the new duo release complements each other in harmony; Anansi, the storyteller god, a symbol of cleverness and creativity is a powerful sandalwood composition by Dominique Preyssas while Assaye from ‘Asase Yaa’, the Earth and love goddess in Akan Ghanaian culture, is a delicious vanilla creation by Julien Rasquinet. I found out that one can dare to ‘challenge’ the gods, by embodying the fragrance of a man or vice versa. As Ayla from the team of Scent of Africa, I was taken aback by ‘Fik’, inspired by Abassi, the god of the Efik people of Nigeria, by its opening of spices followed by a sensual wood shining in the night. Beyond the perfumes, the brand design seems to play with all the senses, the beautiful colours of the perfumes, the shapes of the bottles, with the caps and blotters representing the African continent; to no surprise Scent of Africa has received 2 design awards. The 8 scents of the collection have 3 formats, 10ml, 50ml and 100ml, with a retail price of 24, 86 and 146 euros. For the brand, Esxence marks its international expansion from Africa towards Europe and the USA.

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  The stylish logo of Scent of Africa represented by Ayla Tissot, communication manager for the brand

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