Kayali
Layered fragrance, Middle Eastern roots.
Kayali was founded in Dubai in 2018 by Mona Kattan, co-founder of Huda Beauty, with a mission centred on the Middle Eastern practice of layering multiple fragrances to create a personal, evolving scent profile. The name translates as 'my imagination' in Arabic. The brand launched under Huda Beauty's corporate umbrella before being spun off as an independent company in early 2025, with General Atlantic taking an equity stake and Kattan remaining CEO. The fragrance portfolio is rich and gourmand in character, with Vanilla 28 establishing the brand's commercial reputation internationally. Compositions are made in France and developed with an extensive roster of perfumers including Olivier Cresp, Gabriela Chelariu, Fabrice Pellegrin, and Ilias Ermenidis. The layering philosophy is embedded in the product marketing, with guides recommending combinations of Kayali scents for personalised blends. Kayali distributes globally through Sephora and its own e-commerce platform, positioned at the prestige tier with pricing between approximately $50 and $120 per bottle. The brand has become one of the fastest-growing independent fragrance companies globally, particularly among younger consumers discovering Middle Eastern scent traditions through the lens of accessible luxury.
Releases
DNA over time
Each column is an era. Each colored band shows that family’s share of accord weight across every perfume the house released in that window. Bigger band = the house leaned harder on that family.
