Smell of success

Shoiba Malik is the CEO founder of House of Fragrance boutiques here in Bahrain that specializes in oud perfumes.

The company started with one small outlet and has now grown to a total of five in under three years. Shoiba’s passion and enthusiasm for the love of oud is evident in his boutiques which all have hand-crafted interiors and the individual attention to detail on the packaging and designing of the oud bottles.
I managed to sit him down and ask him a few questions, educating myself on the world of Oud.
When was the idea for House of Fragrance born?
The name for House of Fragrance was established on the 9/9/1999...lucky date I think.
I have a background in perfume and always dreamt of having my own company, so now I am living my dream.
What makes House of Fragrance different from other oud stores?
First of all it’s not so commercial, it’s a boutique outlet. We pay exceptional attention to the ingredients as well as the packaging depending on the individual requests. Each bottle of oud contains the highest concentration of oud fragrance, which includes musk, amber and rose. These ingredients are the backbone of the Arabic oud fragrance.
What is Oud? And where does it originate?
Oud is better known in the Far East regions as Agar wood. It thrives in hot countries such as Assam in India as well as Burma and Cambodia. The humidity develops a fungus on the tree bark, which produces oils in the wood, but not every tree produces oud. Oud spans back over thousands of years and is also used in Japanese temples for praying.
What makes Oud so popular compared to regular perfumes on the market?
It is an Islamic and Arabic tradition worldwide and western companies have now started using oud ingredients in there perfumes, which leaves a good influence on the western market for Oud to be accepted.
If you could influence any world known figure to wear your oud, who would it be and why?
It would have to be “The legends of tomorrow” which for me are Prince Waleed bin Talal and Bill Gates. I think they are both strong male figures of today with great business minds. They also do at lot of work for humanity, which I admire. They give a lot back to society — something I hope one day I will be fortunate enough to do.
Where do you see House of Fragrance in 10 years time?
Make that nine years time, for “House of Fragrance” to be internationally recognised worldwide. Enshallah.

By Samantha Corner