We may have 5 senses yet the most prized sense to Arabs seems to be smell. Whether you prefer tangy and fresh fragrances or aromatic sultry notes, perfumes have always been a significant part of Arab culture and as customary as brushing your teeth. Several luxury brands have taken inspiration from the most popular ingredients of the Middle East such as sandalwood and musk, and Jean Paul Gaultier has been so inspired by the region’s scents that he’s launched an new fragrance exclusively for the Arab woman.
The first Scandal fragrance was launched back in 2017. Today, Gaultier has 4 main eau de parfums in the collection and Scandal Gold is the sultriest one of all. The fragrance is an ode to the modern Arab woman that is independent and influential. A brand representative who flew in from Paris for the exclusive launch tells us that at Jean Paul Gaultier, the female and male roles are reversed. Women are dominant in Gaultier’s world, and that’s the world we want to live in.
The eponymous brand is known for their sexy and sultry packaging, with the female body as the bottle of their Classique fragrance. For Scandal, Gaultier left just a little more to the imagination with its design.
Scandal Gold is made of several ingredients that could be found in your typical Arab home – from saffron to honey, jasmine sambac and even sandalwood. The combination of these notes unifies the fragrance in the most surprising and spectacular way. It’s pungent and powerful – just like the typical Gaultier woman.
Gaultier chose none other than Imaan Hammam to be the face of the campaign. Hammam is known for her humanitarian work and her Egyptian and Moroccan roots. When asked why Hammam was chosen for this particular campaign, a brand representative told Grazia that Jean Paul Gaultier did not make the decision as a marketing tool, but that he does in fact believe that Hammam embodies the Arabian persona that he so adores.
The launch of the new fragrance included a luxurious exclusive event at The One & Only Royal Mirage, where guests were invited to indulge in a relaxing massage after a scrumptious breakfast hosted by the brand. VIP guests enjoyed their croissants with a side of Scandal.
You can now purchase the fragrance across the Middle East at Sephora, Galeries Lafayette and Faces.
