Muscat – British perfume maker Roja Parfums launched a new fragrance, called Apex, at Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel on Saturday. Turandot, a fragrance launched earlier, was showcased alongside the new product.

Apex is a fragrance for men inspired by a deep-rooted connection to nature and to Earth.

Speaking about the perfume, celebrated British perfumer and owner of Roja Parfums Roja Dove, said, “Apex connects man and nature. The citrus opening represents the beginning of reaching your Apex with a bright blend of bergamot, lemon, mandarin and pineapple. Base notes of patchouli and fir balsam evoke the feeling of being surrounded by nature, while notes of leather add warmth and sensuality. We have also used sandalwood and frankincense to give it a spiritual feel.”

Turandot was released to celebrate the tenth season of Royal Opera House Muscat in 2020. Named after Puccini’s 20th-century opera that opened the venue in 2011, Dove received the commission in 2020.

Elaborating on how the opera of love inspired him to create the perfume, Dove recalled dissecting Puccini’s dynamic score for sensory cues. “Those familiar with the opera will remember the opening of Turandot being almost discordant. So I wanted the beginning of this perfume to feel very connected with the Earth, so it opens with these notes of mosses and woods,” he said.

Roja Parfums opened its first standalone boutique in Oman at Royal Opera House Muscat in 2017.

“Oman is entrenched in culture and I found that people in this region have an incredible appreciation for good perfumes,” Dove said.

It takes close to 18 months for Dove to create a fragrance.