Light from Above

my very own Via del Profumo fragrance

I’ve just checked: I’ve known Dominique Dubrana, aka Abdessalaam Attar, for twenty years to the day. I’ve never actually met him in person. He is the true International Man of Mystery. He is French-born, speaks French with a lovely Southwestern accent, also speaks Italian, Arabic and no doubt other languages he has not told me about. Depending on the year and time of day you are likely to find him either in Italy, where he lives with family, or in the Southern Sahara where he volunteers to build and install wind-driven water pumps for irrigation. His best-known portrait shows him in full Touareg garb, looking splendid.

Over the years he has produced many perfumes, almost all natural, and we have reviewed several in our guides. He is that rare bird, a natural-born perfumer. Whenever on the topic, he insists that perfumery is easy, that you just have to follow your instinct about accords and all will be fine. That’s like getting flying advice from a seagull, ignoring the small matter of wings. He used to regularly send me his new creations, and I noticed of late things had gone a little quiet. I called him up, and he explained that he has been focusing on perfumery training, though he still does bespoke perfumes and sells his range online.

I currently don’t have the opportunity to visit, so I thought I would instead order a bespoke from him: rose, osmanthus and a bit of smoke. The way you do it on his website is by ticking boxes of the raw materials you would like to be in there. I chose osmanthus, rose essence, cardamom, elemi, pine needles and styrax. I also picked the name (Dominique asks for it for the label and an additional source of inspiration). The perfume came today. It is delightful, and for once y’all will simply have to take my word for it. The all-natural accord is rich, comfortable and solid, and comes across as a fresh, honeyed leather with a touch of resin. I’ve sprayed it on my forearm and am inhaling it as a I write. Aaaah.