Mediterranean Meets Arabia: My Afternoon Exploring the Art of Perfumery with Aromology in Dubai
From discovering the different layers of a fragrance to blending my own signature perfume, this hands-on workshop at Fairmont The Palm offered a fascinating introduction to the art of scent.
I’ve always believed that fragrances are deeply personal. Certain scents remind us of places, people and moments from our lives, while others simply feel like an extension of our personality.
So, when I attended Mediterranean Meets Arabia, a perfume-making workshop hosted by Aromology at Fairmont The Palm, Dubai, I was excited to discover what actually goes into creating a fragrance.
Aromology, one of Dubai’s perfume raw-material suppliers and an experience partner of World Art Dubai, brought together a group of women for an afternoon of exploring ingredients, understanding fragrance compositions and creating our own personalised perfumes.
Understanding the Art of Perfumery
Our session was guided by perfumer Abdul Vase, who introduced us to the fascinating process of building a fragrance.
One of the most interesting things I learnt was how a perfume is structured around three layers, each playing a different role in the overall experience.
- Top notes: The first impression of a perfume. These are the scents you notice immediately after applying a fragrance.
- Heart notes: The character and personality of the perfume. These form the central identity of the fragrance.
- Base notes: The deeper, warmer notes that linger and give a perfume its lasting impression.
It was interesting to understand how these layers work together and how changing even one ingredient can transform the overall character of a fragrance.
Discovering Fragrance Ingredients, One Scent at a Time
The next part of the workshop was a sensory exploration of different perfume ingredients.
We were introduced to an assortment of beautiful aromas, including bergamot, rose, lavender, sandalwood, vanilla and frankincense.
We smelt each ingredient individually, taking our time to understand its character and how it might complement other scents.
Some were fresh and uplifting, others floral and delicate, while a few had a richer, warmer quality.
What I enjoyed most was discovering how differently everyone responded to the same ingredients. A scent that immediately appealed to one person might not necessarily be another’s favourite.
That made the entire experience feel much more personal and creative.
Creating My Own Signature Perfume
Once we had explored the ingredients, it was time for the most exciting part: creating our own fragrances.
With Abdul Wasay’s guidance, we began selecting our preferred top, heart and base notes, carefully counting the drops of each ingredient to build our individual blends.
The process required a little experimentation, as we considered how much of each scent we wanted and how the different notes would come together.
For my perfume, I chose bergamot as the top note, rose as the heart and a warm desert-inspired base.
Rose was an easy choice for me.
It has always been the fragrance I love wearing the most. There’s a familiarity to it that takes me back to my childhood, and something about its softness and warmth feels very close to my own personality.
To me, rose represents openness, warmth and a certain freedom of expression. It felt fitting that the fragrance I was creating would have rose at its heart.
The final result was a perfume that felt distinctly mine, not just because I had selected the ingredients, but because every choice reflected something I personally enjoy.
An Afternoon of Creativity and Shared Discoveries
Another lovely part of the workshop was experiencing the perfumes created by the other women.
Despite starting with many of the same ingredients, we all ended up with different compositions.
It was a wonderful reminder that fragrance is a form of personal expression. The same notes can tell entirely different stories depending on how they are combined.
Beyond learning a new skill, the workshop gave me a greater appreciation for the craftsmanship, experimentation and creativity involved in perfumery.
Explore the World of Aromology at World Art Dubai 2026
The experience also made me curious to discover more about the rich perfume culture of Dubai and the wider Middle East, where fragrances have long been connected to hospitality, identity, tradition and personal expression.
For anyone who enjoys fragrances, creative experiences or discovering something different in Dubai, World Art Dubai 2026, taking place from 19 to 22 November, is an opportunity to explore the world of Aromology further.
After getting a small introduction to the art of perfumery through Mediterranean Meets Arabia, I’m looking forward to visiting Aromology at World Art Dubai and discovering more about the ingredients, stories and creativity behind the fragrances we wear.
World Art Dubai 2026: Event Details
- Dates: 19-22 November 2026
- Venue: Dubai World Trade Centre, Za’abeel Halls 2 & 3
- Public hours: 1 PM–9 PM
- Fragrance experience: Art of Perfumery by Aromology
World Art Dubai’s published programme includes an Art of Perfumery workshop led by Abdul Wasay Mohammed, offering visitors another opportunity to explore fragrance composition and the ingredients behind fine perfumery.
Explore: World Art Dubai 2026 | Aromology
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