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Perfect Fusion: Made In Italy Meets The Middle East
With Moellhausen, the Italian style blends with the spirit of the Middle East, the crossroads of an olfactory culture where perfume becomes a very modern art form
Moellhausen, a historic leader in the global flavours and fragrances industry, has thrived for nearly 60 years, blending Italian excellence with Middle Eastern traditions.
With a strong presence in Dubai for over 20 years, the company bridges the olfactory cultures of both regions. Their motto, "The Chemistry of Emotions," emphasises the power of scent in shaping human experience. Driven by creativity and pragmatism, Moellhausen's success stems from its team’s innovative spirit.
We spoke with President Andrea Ghezzi and R&D Director Dominique Moellhausen, gaining insight into their approach to supporting selective perfumery and beauty brands
in over 80 countries.
ParfumPlus: Andrea Ghezzi, can you tell us in a few words about Moellhausen and what its current characteristics are?
Andrea Ghezzi: Moellhausen is not just the company name, but also a family name. While proudly remaining a family-run business, currently it is a multinational corporation with an exceptional background in raw materials resulting from a history of many years throughout which the company has been and today, with 3,200 raw materials in stock, is a landmark within this market.
A plus highly appreciated by clients and a key strength that, along with being the standard-bearers of Made in Italy in our sector, also bolsters the excellent results within the space
of fragrance creation.
We are a young Company and our growth proceeds: in less than a year, we will inaugurate a new large plant of 20,000 m2 near Milan. From a purely industrial standpoint, it will be one of the flagships of European perfumery and will enable us to pursue our journey towards an increasingly strong internationalisation and optimisation of processes.
PP : What are the pillars of your success?
AG : We’ve grown steadily in workforce and turnover (a double-digit growth in the last 6 years), always supported by solid values and the awareness of our “uniqueness” in every pursuit we undertake.
Balancing human creativity and cutting-edge technologies allows us to craft unique and perfect products from every perspective; furthermore, we closely collaborate with our clients supporting their marketing and product launches as well, in the Middle East as worldwide. An integrated activity that, in Dubai as well, sees us working together side by side on a daily basis.
For three generations, quality has been distinguishing our family-run business attesting to Italian style and recognised across the world for its modernity, creativity, respect for the environment and for the safety and rights of those who work with us. Sustainability is another important pillar that for Moellhausen means 360° commitment towards the environment, respect for the rights and needs of people, ethical work culture, sustainable supply chain; with all our interlocutors and in all the countries where we operate.
PP : Can you give us some data on Moellhausen’s presence in Dubai and what goals have you set out to achieve?
AG : We have a sales office with a large showroom and an R&D centre of excellence in Jebel Ali, the last spanning over 1,500 m². Here, perfumers, analysts, and production operators collaborate in synergy. Our local sales office manages key areas with a highly skilled team of managers, sales executives, and marketing associates.
The Dubai R&D centre offers a competitive edge, addressing to luxury, niche, and industrial markets, including price-sensitive sectors like candles, detergents, and toiletries. Dubai fosters creativity, real-time collaboration, and strategic participation. As a business hub for Africa and the Gulf, proactivity is essential for effective operations and expansion into the Far East.
PP : What was your first impression of Dubai?
AG : On my first trip here in 2004, I fondly remember the warmth of the people—welcoming me with tea or coffee and engaging in hours of conversation, not always about fragrances, but always building genuine human connections alongside business. Over the years, I’ve grown to appreciate the rich olfactory profiles of oriental fragrances, particularly notes like amber, incense, and, of course, oud—the celebrated raw material that reigns in this region.
ParfumPlus : Dominique Moellhausen, what do you think are the reasons for Moellhausen’s acknowledged success in the Middle East?
Dominique Moellhausen : Our family’s mix of different cultures, along with curiosity and extensive travelling, have made us privileged partners in regions with distinct cultural differences from the West. We’ve invested heavily in understanding Middle Eastern olfactory preferences, known for rich, opulent, and bold notes featuring traditional, high-performing ingredients.
By blending these elements with a creative and innovative approach, we've crafted fragrances that honour tradition while offering a contemporary mark, fully tailored to the region’s unique fragrance culture.
PP : You’ve won the "Best Perfumer" award at the Beautyworld Middle East Awards in both 2020 and 2023. What do you think is the secret to creating a captivating fragrance?
DM : The balance of creativity, market expertise and technical skill. Every fragrance is born from an intuition, an idea that must be developed into a consistent and distinctive concept. However, it is essential as well to know the market trends, the consumer preferences and, above all, the materials. The selection of raw materials is a crucial moment because each ingredient brings along a story and an emotion.
PP : What is the role of the team you lead at Moellhausen and how is it composed?
DM : At the moment, I divide my time between the Creative Lab in Milan and the R&D Center here in Dubai. I lead the creative team in the composition of original and distinguishing fragrances, maintaining a close dialogue with our clients and end users. The team is made up of perfumers, analysts and technicians and our goal is always to exceed expectations, proposing fragrances that can surprise and inspire beyond geographical boundaries.
PP : What is the secret of Moellhausen’s recognised peculiarity within the world of fragrances?
AG & DM: Staying proudly faithful to what we are: a family company, Italian and cosmopolitan, pragmatic, innovative and proactive, projected into the future and into ethical and sustainable progress. Remaining constantly oriented towards the search for beauty and excellence.
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