Welcome to My Perfume Cabinet!

By way of introduction, my name is Talal and I describe myself as a perfume enthusiast and collector. 

My journey with perfume has been a long and enduring one but only recently have I decided to take my curiosity about and love of perfume to a deeper, more meaningful level. To do this, I not only began reading as much as I could find on the subject, but also started a long, never-ending, slightly obsessive (and often expensive) journey of collecting as many of the iconic fragrances of the past as I could get my hands on. 

My lifelong quest had always been to find my “signature scent.” This meant trying to source the most obscure finds that others would not be able to copy or identify. It became an obsession. Over time, however, this particular infatuation with finding a fragrance that would encapsulate my entire existence and be identified only with me faded away. To be honest, I think I grew out of it, most importantly because it became less about how I was perceived by other people and more about the joy I myself found in perfume.

Where I find myself today is as an admirer of perfume in the same vein as one would admire, appreciate or collect art. It is an art form after all.  Amongst the hundreds of bottles, samples, decants and other forms of fragrance that make up my collection, I probably only “use” a handful in the traditional sense. Mostly, you’ll find me at home on the couch with my blotters and my latest purchase taking occasional sniffs throughout the evening. It is ritualistic in a sense, almost spiritual, and brings me indescribable joy. 

What I failed to appreciate in the past that I now consider the basis of this passion of mine is the transportive nature of perfume. Its ability to evoke specific emotions, conjure up vivid memories and lift the spirits - transport you in every sense of the word. 

An old soul, I find myself pining for a past I never had the opportunity to experience. It is this pining that is the reason for my vast, and ever-growing, collection of vintage fragrances. As much as I enjoy what is on offer today, I am quickly bored by the repetitive and unimaginative nature that characterizes many recent releases. Given I spend my time enjoying the gems of the past alone at home, I am not particularly concerned with a fear of judgment from, or worse, causing offense to those around me. 

Writing, another passion of mine that I am afraid I give little attention to, I have discovered can give life to what has, until now, been a very personal hobby. Because experiencing a perfume is a fleeting encounter, it's always been a challenge to pin down what is, in essence, abstract. Enter this blog. Over the coming months and years, I aim to share what I have and continue to experience with anyone who may be interested but also as a record for myself. I hope to frequently post not just about specific perfumes and my thoughts concerning them but also to document the journey itself. 

If any of this sounds of interest to you, please feel free to follow along and to engage!