In the heart of Old Dubai, where traders call out their everyday deals and the scent of oud lingers across, a young boy was unknowingly preparing for his future perfume empire. Imtiyaz Kalsekar, fondly known today as Imtiyaz Rasasi, grew up surrounded by the hustle and grit of Murshid Bazaar. His father, Abdul Razzak Kalsekar, had already planted the seeds of something remarkable when he founded Rasasi Perfumes, one of the UAE’s earliest homegrown fragrance brands.
From Humble Beginnings To Global Perfume Empire: Imtiyaz Rasasi’s Journey
In a candid chat with Kamiya Jani, Editor-in-Chief of Curly Tales, Imtiyaz Rasasi shared nostalgic stories about his father and how his journey from Bombay led to a global perfume empire in Dubai and across the world. Imtiyaz recollects how Rasasi Perfumes is one of the UAE’s earliest homegrown fragrance brands.
The brand has been recognised by the Royal Family of Dubai for its efforts in being a perfume leader in the Emirate, and taking it across the globe. Instead of joining the booming textile industry in the UAE, Abdul Razzak Kalsekar, the father of Imtiyaz, opened a small perfume shop in Dubai’s Murshid Bazaar.
From 1 To 165 Showrooms!
The flourishing family business was inherited by Imtiyaz. He took over the business with a mindset that was built on observation, human connection and intuition. During the early years, Imtiyaz struggled to sell the Dubai-origin perfumes to overseas clients. Then came the product launch of Blue Lady perfume, which had“Made in Dubai, UAE” embedded on it. That led the company to a turning point in the perfume industry.
Expansion In The Saudi Arabia Market
From tackling basic logistical problems in Saudi Arabia to now opening 75 stores of Rasasi perfumes, Imtiyaz has come a long way in terms of expanding his perfume business. He attained success and wanted to grow quickly in the market. His success hit a roadblock when he lost 35 stores out of 75. But that didn’t stop him from learning and remodelling his strategies to turn over his business and to bounce back. Today, Rasasi is back with over 50 showrooms and 25 more on the way. He proved that setbacks are part of the journey, but coming back stronger is what makes you a successful entrepreneur.
The Birth Of The Brand: IM Rasasi
As quoted by Imtiyaz Kalsekar, “perfume is an art, it’s science”. According to him, people don’t buy perfume just because somebody gives Buy 1 get 2 free offer. He has based IM Rasasi’s DNA on three pillars: Quality, Integrity and Story. Imtiyaz’s vision is to offer affordable luxury through his perfumes. The company has chosen Gen Z perfumers to expand the spectrum. Imtiyaz wants to walk with time and not rely on the typical old box-type perfumes. They have invested in perfume companies in the South of France, from where the technology to build these perfumes comes into the picture.
The World Of Perfumes Through Imtiyaz Rasasi’s Lens
From generating notes suitable for his young daughter to building fragrances that would be welcomed by high-end customers, Imtyaz has something to offer to people of every age and class.
He has also integrated AI in perfume production. And we can’t give the stylish packing a miss. From bottles mimicking champagne glasses to light-weight ones, Rasasi believes packaging is the king.
Also Read: Chronicles Of AMG – Celebrating 25 Years Of Ahmed Al Maghribi Perfumes
Tips To Buy The Right Perfume
In a fun, rapid-fire round, Kamiya Jani pulled out a few interesting questions to understand the trick to purchasing the right perfume. Imtiyaz shared some inside tips on buying a perfume. His first advice was to buy perfume depending on what time of the day you wear it.
Kamiya had an important question which everyone can relate to: Is there any perfume that can last 24 hours? Imtiyaz laughed and replied that he would love to meet the one who made it. But Iimtiyaz explained how, depending on the environment, which notes can last up to 6-7 hours.
Are you a perfume enthusiast? Imtiyaz has revealed how to spot a fake perfume in this video, and you need to watch it carefully.
From a modest shop in Deira to a global name in luxury perfumery, Imtiyaz Rasasi’s journey is a reminder of how humble beginnings and consistency can turn a business into a world-class empire.
Cover Image Courtesy: Internal
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