Another new international fragrance brand is about to launch in Hong Kong.
French luxury perfume house Fragrance Du Bois is expanding to seven new locations this month, including its new “boutique within a store” concept openings at Robinsons in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, with Hong Kong its next stop in Asia.
Bangkok already has a Fragrance Du Bois boutique.
The launch of Fragrance Du Bois Hong Kong has particular significance, both commercially and emotionally. Hong Kong, or “Fragrant Harbour”, became the officially recorded name after the Treaty of Nanking in 1842, and was so called because of the trade in agarwood (from which Oud oil is derived) that passed through the port nearly two centuries ago.
Only one plantation of the Aquilaria species of tree that produces agarwood remains in the territory, and it is being managed on behalf of Fragrance Du Bois. The brand will make its east Asia debut at Hong Kong’s first and only artistic perfume boutique, Parfumerie Trésor, in the Central district. Plans are in place for the range to contain Oud oil distilled from a plantation in Hong Kong for the first time in more than 100 years.
“As a company, we have always been forward thinking and aware of the role we play in looking after the environment as well as in protecting endangered species,” says Fragrance Du Bois brand director Nicola Parker. “All the Oud we produce is from our own sustainable plantations.”
Parker says the company is on track for a global presence in about 200 locations by the year 2020. Upcoming openings include Doha, Dubai, Geneva, Jeddah, Los Angeles, Marbella (Spain), Milan, Muscat, New York, Riyadh and Zurich.