To celebrate Yang Amat Mulia Tunku Laxamana Tunku Dato’ Seri Utama Naquiyuddin Tuanku Ja’afar’s 70th birthday, Fragrance Du Bois was commissioned to create a bespoke fragrance that truly represents the man and his heritage.
Created by Mathilde Haguier, Fragrance Du Bois’ Perfume Specialist, the unique expression – named ‘Minangkabau’ – embodies the spirit, culture, people and even architecture of Tunku Naquiyuddin’s home state of Negeri Sembilan . Descendants of the Minangkabau people hail from West Sumatra, Indonesia , and are known to have a royal lineage that dates back several centuries. The Minang speak Malay, but also have their own dialect that reflects the lingual roots of their Indonesian heritage.
Drawing inspiration from a rich and vibrant culture, ‘Minangkabau’ opens with shimmering hints of citrus — tones that reflect the sparkle of sunlight caressing the richly coloured, ornate wall panels of a traditional Minangkabau house. The zestiness then yields to soft coconut in the top notes, to create the fragrance’s exotic and intoxicating opening accords.
Spiciness is a characteristic of Minangkabau food, and a central part of the Minang’s way of life. The body of the fragrance opens into a medley of tantalising spices such as chilli, ginger, cardamom, coriander, nutmeg and black pepper — a magnificent olfactory representation of the rich, spicy and delicious Minangkabau cuisine.
Immortelle flower — a small, yellow flower sourced from the South of France along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea — adds a very special quality to the middle notes of the fragrance, possessing exceptional longevity, as the name would suggest. Also known as the ‘Golden Eternal Flower’, its presence in Tunku Naquiyuddin’s bespoke fragrance reflects the ageless and enduring nature of a highly-respected and enlightened royal household.
At the base, classic vetiver and musk are perfectly balanced to reflect the personality of one of Malaysia’s best-liked and most respected Princes. Despite a traditional family background, he is also a 21st Century man, with his finger on the pulse of modernity. This informs his activities in the world of business, and the many social and charitable events in which he is involved.
Minangkabau houses are primarily made from timber – the dark wood of its interior is starkly juxtaposed with streaks of the bright tropical sunlight that stream in. Cedarwood, sandalwood and Fragrance Du Bois’ 100% pure, natural Oud oil settle in the fragrance’s base notes, before giving way to the warmth and subtle aromas of dry woods, lightly wafting through these traditional houses.
‘Minangkabau’ is a fragrance that exudes culture and history, with touches of modernity and sophistication. The fragrance is a limited edition, bespoke perfume, and is not available for sale.
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