Afnan: history, bestsellers and everything about the brand behind 9pm
Afnan is a perfume house from the United Arab Emirates that has been creating fragrances since 2007. Worldwide, the brand is best known for 9pm and the Supremacy series. Afnan combines oriental ingredients such as oud, amber and musk with fresh and sweet Western accents. In this article you will learn where Afnan comes from, who is behind it, who the fragrances are made for and which Afnan perfumes are the most popular at Arabmusk.
Afnan at a glance
| Origin | United Arab Emirates |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Founder | Imran Fazlani (founder and chairman) |
| Sister brand | Zimaya |
| Known for | 9pm, the Supremacy series, Turathi and classic perfume oils |
| Style | Modern, powerful eau de parfums alongside traditional oud and musk fragrances |
| Price range | Affordable to mid-range |
| Popular in | The Gulf region, Europe and the United States; according to the brand in more than 120 countries |
| At Arabmusk | All Afnan products |
The history of Afnan
According to the brand itself, Afnan Perfumes was founded in 2007 in the United Arab Emirates. The company started with its own shops and direct customer contact. From there it grew into an international perfume house. The founder and chairman is Imran Fazlani; his son Zaid Fazlani is CEO.
The first Afnan fragrances in the Parfumo database date from 2012. From then on the range grew quickly. Supremacy Silver and later 9pm became international bestsellers. Parfumo now lists more than 170 Afnan fragrances. According to the brand, all perfumes are developed and produced in its own factory in the Emirates, where quality control also takes place.
Where does Afnan come from?
Afnan is an Emirati brand. Its headquarters and production are in the UAE, and in Dubai the brand can be found in shopping malls, among other places. You can see that background in the range. There are modern sprays with fruit, spices and vanilla, but also traditional fragrances such as Mukhallat Abiyad and Dehn al Oud Abiyad, as oil and as spray.
Parent company and sister brands
Afnan Perfumes is an independent family business. Its best-known sister brand is Zimaya. That brand shares its founder with Afnan and is described in sources as a separate brand within the Afnan portfolio, with its own identity. According to ScentVerdict, Zimaya was presented as a new brand in 2023. A few Zimaya fragrances are listed with an older year in perfume databases, so its history is not entirely clear-cut. On bottles and in web shops you often see ‘Zimaya by Afnan’.
Zimaya fragrances are currently not part of our range. You can find all available products from this house in the Afnan collection. Do you like modern Arabic eau de parfums in the same price range? Then also take a look at Lattafa and Maison Alhambra.
Where is Afnan popular?
According to the brand, Afnan perfumes are available in more than 120 countries. The company names the Gulf region, Europe, North America, Africa and Asia as important markets, with the United States as one of the largest. In Europe the brand became better known mainly through social media, where 9pm and Supremacy Silver are often discussed. In the Netherlands and Belgium, too, you see the brand more and more.
Who is Afnan for?
- Men looking for a striking evening scent. 9pm and 9 PM Elixir are sweet, warm and present.
- Lovers of fresh, fruity fragrances. The Supremacy series opens with apple, bergamot and blackcurrant.
- Women who like fruity and soft scents. 9 AM Pour Femme and 9pm Pour Femme are made especially for women.
- Anyone who loves classic oriental fragrances. The Abiyad line with musk, sandalwood and oud is also available as alcohol-free perfume oil.
Afnan makes fragrances for men, for women and unisex. The best-known titles are especially popular with men.
The most popular Afnan perfumes
These are the Afnan fragrances that are bought most often at Arabmusk.
1. Afnan 9pm
Afnan 9pm eau de parfum
The best-known Afnan fragrance: apple, cinnamon, lavender and bergamot, with a sweet base of vanilla, tonka, amber and patchouli. Warm and suited to the evening. Also available as the more intense 9 PM Elixir.
2. Afnan 9 AM Pour Femme
Afnan 9 AM Pour Femme eau de parfum
Fruity, for women: mandarin, bergamot and grapefruit, followed by blackcurrant and raspberry on a soft base of musk and amber.
3. Afnan Supremacy in Oud
Afnan Supremacy in Oud eau de parfum
A unisex fragrance in which woody oud meets a sweet, creamy choco musk. Warm and full.
4. Afnan Supremacy Silver
Afnan Supremacy Silver eau de parfum
Fresh and fruity for men: apple, blackcurrant, pineapple and bergamot, with a woody heart and a musk base.
5. Afnan Supremacy Not Only Intense
Afnan Supremacy Not Only Intense eau de parfum
Blackcurrant, bergamot and apple, with patchouli and lavender in the heart and a base of ambergris, saffron and musk. Darker and fuller than Silver.
6. Afnan 9 PM Elixir
Afnan 9 PM Elixir extrait de parfum
Spicy and warm: nutmeg, elemi and cardamom, then pimento, lavandin and leather, on a base of labdanum, patchouli and vanilla.
Other Afnan fragrances in our range include Supremacy Collector's Edition, 9 AM, 9pm Pour Femme and the perfume oils Mukhallat Abiyad, Sandal Abiyad and Dehn al Oud Abiyad.
Overview: which Afnan suits you?
| Fragrance | Character | Notable notes |
|---|---|---|
| 9pm | Sweet, warm | Apple, cinnamon, vanilla |
| 9 AM Pour Femme | Fruity, soft | Mandarin, raspberry, musk |
| Supremacy in Oud | Woody, sweet | Oud, choco musk |
| Supremacy Silver | Fresh, fruity | Apple, pineapple, musk |
| Supremacy Not Only Intense | Fruity, dark | Blackcurrant, patchouli, saffron |
| 9 PM Elixir | Spicy, warm | Cardamom, leather, vanilla |
Afnan at Arabmusk
- All Afnan products: eau de parfums and perfume oils.
- The Abiyad line as oil and spray, such as Mukhallat Abiyad and Dehn al Oud Abiyad.
- More choice in our men's perfume and eau de parfum collections.
Tips for wearing Afnan
- Use it sparingly. Fragrances such as 9pm and 9 PM Elixir are powerful. Two or three sprays are usually enough.
- Choose for the moment. Supremacy Silver and 9 AM suit daytime and warm weather; 9pm and Supremacy in Oud suit evenings and colder days.
- Spray on clothing for longer wear. Do test on an inconspicuous spot first.
How a fragrance smells and how long it lasts differs from skin to skin.
Frequently asked questions about Afnan
Where does Afnan come from?
Afnan Perfumes comes from the United Arab Emirates and was founded in 2007. The brand produces in its own factory in the UAE.
Is Zimaya owned by Afnan?
Zimaya has the same founder as Afnan and is seen as a sister brand within the Afnan portfolio. You often see the label ‘Zimaya by Afnan’.
What is the best-known Afnan fragrance?
Internationally, 9pm and Supremacy Silver. At Arabmusk, 9pm is the best-selling Afnan fragrance.
Is Afnan 9pm for men or women?
9pm is made for men, but thanks to the sweet vanilla and tonka, women wear it too. For women there is a separate 9pm Pour Femme.
Does Afnan also make perfume oils?
Yes. At Arabmusk you will find Mukhallat Abiyad, Sandal Abiyad and Dehn al Oud Abiyad as alcohol-free perfume oils, among others.