Kayali Takes Fragrance Of The Year — Made In The Region, Loved Worldwide

If you’re someone who plans outfits around your perfume, you probably already have a Kayali bottle (or five) on your shelf. And now, Vanilla Candy Rock Sugar | 42, the latest standout from the brand founded by Mona Kattan, has officially been crowned Fragrance of the Year – Women’s Prestige by the Fragrance Foundation in New York.

The win is a major moment — not just for Kayali, but for regional creativity in the global beauty space. Born in the UAE, Kayali has become one of the most exciting names in perfume right now, blending Middle Eastern scent traditions with a modern edge. This award cements that vision.

Launched in May 2024, Vanilla Candy Rock Sugar | 42 is a bold, layered fragrance created by Gabriela Chelariu of dsm-firmenich. Think candied pear, violet leaf, and vanilla cream at the top, shifting into bubble gum, jellybean, and caramel, before settling into patchouli and tonka bean — a playful yet complex scent that’s been flying off shelves ever since. Backed by global Sephora distribution and a campaign set in Mona’s own nostalgic “candy shop,” the fragrance quickly sold out in several regions.

“This moment is the result of years of passion and belief in something that didn’t quite exist before,” says Mona Kattan. “We always saw fragrance as storytelling — as something deeply personal.”

From a local launch to an international phenomenon, Kayali’s rise is something we at JDEED have followed closely and proudly. Mona, and the entire Kattan family, continue to shape what it means to build beauty brands that are both culturally rooted and globally relevant. As longtime supporters of the brand (and yes, we do love the Kattan sisters), this win feels almost personal.

Kayali now has 27 fragrances available in over 30 countries. Vanilla Candy Rock Sugar | 42 is its most playful launch yet, and judging by the response, also its most iconic.

If you haven’t experienced it yet, now’s the time.

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