Fahmi
For our eleventh conversation we sat with Fahmi, a fragrance enthusiast in BSD City whose love of scent began with his father, who always smelled incredible at weddings and special occasions. Growing up in an Arab family, smelling good was not a preference but part of the culture, and every gathering was scented with bukhoor, its rich, comforting smoke filling the whole house. What began as a way to make an impression became a genuine appreciation for the art. Today he calls fragrance liquid storytelling, where every note has a purpose and every transition a meaning. We spoke about the incense of home and the green tea that brings him back to himself, about honesty as the thing that matters most, and about a kindness that asks for nothing in return.
Your relationship with fragrance
My relationship with fragrance has evolved over time. What started as a way to make an impression has become a genuine appreciation for the art of perfumery. Today I see fragrance as liquid storytelling. Every note has a purpose, every transition has meaning, and every composition carries its own character. That is what I value most when experiencing and reviewing a fragrance. As Bill Evans once said, the most important thing he looked for in music was honesty. I believe the same is true for fragrance.
Every note has a purpose, every transition has a meaning.
A scent that takes you somewhere
I have two. The first is bukhoor. Whenever someone lights it, I am immediately transported back to family gatherings. Growing up in an Arab household, the air was always filled with its rich, comforting aroma during special occasions; it will always be a symbol of warmth, togetherness, and joy. The second is green tea, a natural, herbal one. Whenever I am sick, overwhelmed by work, or simply need to slow down, I find comfort in a cup of tea. It carries the smell of damp earth after the rain, fresh green leaves, a gentle bitterness. More than anything, it is the scent that brings me back to myself.
What you are wearing now
Lately I rotate between Bois Impérial by Essential Parfums, HoM Haute Chypre Kabuto, and Assaf I’m Here Enable. Chypre Kabuto completely changed my perception of the chypre genre. What I once thought would be too challenging has become one of my favorite olfactory styles. To me it is still HoM Haute’s finest chypre, a beautifully complex composition that stays effortlessly comforting, bringing both joy and serenity with every wear. Assaf I’m Here Enable is my everyday: easy to wear, versatile, one I can always reach for without a second thought.
A daily ritual
Every morning begins the same way: a cup of coffee, a deep breath of the fresh morning air, and three sprays of fragrance, one on the back of my neck and two behind my ears. It is a simple ritual, but one that grounds me before the day begins. To me, fragrance is not the finishing touch; it is how I set the tone for everything that follows.
On good taste
To me, good taste is having the confidence to wear what genuinely resonates with you, regardless of trends or popular opinion. It is not about owning the rarest bottle or wearing what everyone else praises. It is about finding a fragrance that means something to you and wearing it with intention. Above all, trust your own nose.
One belief you would defend
I believe kindness loses its meaning the moment we expect something in return. True kindness comes from sincerity, not obligation or reward. It should not be reserved for a select few; it should be freely given.
More than anything, the right scent brings you back to yourself. That is the story I keep listening for.