Armaf: history, bestsellers and everything about the brand behind Club de Nuit
Armaf is a perfume brand from Dubai that became famous worldwide with the Club de Nuit series. The brand belongs to Sterling Perfumes Industries, a company owned by the Fakhruddin family. Armaf mainly makes modern eau de parfums in a Western style, at prices that stay low. In this article you will learn where Armaf comes from, who is behind it, who the fragrances are made for and which Armaf perfumes you can find at Arabmusk.
Armaf at a glance
| Origin | Dubai, United Arab Emirates |
| Active since | Sources mention 1999 or 2010; the oldest known fragrances date from 2015 |
| Parent company | Sterling Perfumes Industries (Fakhruddin Holdings) |
| Sister brands | Hamidi, Risala, Flavia, Just Jack and Jenny Glow |
| Known for | The Club de Nuit series and the Odyssey line |
| Style | Modern and mostly Western: fresh, spicy, woody and gourmand |
| Price range | Affordable to mid-range |
| Popular in | Middle East, United States, Latin America and Europe |
| At Arabmusk | All Armaf products |
The history of Armaf
Armaf is the best-known brand of Sterling Perfumes Industries. According to the trade press, that company was founded in the Emirates in 1998 and is part of Fakhruddin Holdings, a family business that has existed for more than fifty years. Dr Ali Asgar Fakhruddin is chairman, Hamza Fakhruddin is managing director.
Sources disagree about the year Armaf itself started. Fragrantica mentions 1999, while a brand profile based on Sterling's timeline mentions 2010. The oldest Armaf fragrances in the major perfume databases date from 2015. That is also the year of Club de Nuit Intense Man, the fragrance that put the brand on the international map.
Since then the range has grown enormously, to hundreds of fragrances. Alongside Club de Nuit came lines such as Odyssey, Tres Nuit and Craze. In recent years the Odyssey line has received many new, often sweet editions, such as the Dubai Chocolat Gourmand Edition.
Where does Armaf come from?
Armaf comes from Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. According to several sources, Sterling has its own production and distribution site there. Even so, Armaf smells different from many traditional Arabian brands. Most fragrances have a Western structure: citrus, lavender, woods and gourmand notes, with oud or incense here and there as an oriental touch.
Parent company and sister brands
Besides Armaf, Sterling Perfumes Industries carries more brands. According to the trade press these include Hamidi, Risala, Flavia, Just Jack and Jenny Glow. Armaf is the flagship. Sterling says it sells its brands in more than 130 countries.
Each brand has its own profile. Hamidi focuses on traditional perfume oils and bakhour, Risala on modern eau de parfums. At Arabmusk you will find the Hamidi collection and the Risala perfumes. Also read our article about Hamidi and about Risala.
Where is Armaf popular?
Armaf is sold in a large part of the world. The brand is strong in the Middle East and has a large fan base in the United States and Latin America, where, according to the trade press, Sterling works a lot with influencers. In Europe you will find Armaf at many online perfume shops. Sterling also focuses on travel retail, such as airport shops.
Who is Armaf for?
- Anyone looking for a modern fragrance at a friendly price. Armaf is known for its value for money.
- Men who like fresh and spicy. The Club de Nuit men's fragrances are the brand's best known.
- Lovers of sweet fragrances. The newer Odyssey editions revolve around chocolate, caramel and vanilla.
- Anyone who prefers no alcohol on the skin. Some Armaf fragrances are also available as a perfume oil in a roll-on bottle.
Armaf perfumes at Arabmusk
This is a selection from the Armaf range at Arabmusk.
1. Armaf Odyssey Dubai Chocolat Gourmand Edition
Armaf Odyssey Dubai Chocolat Gourmand Edition eau de parfum
Coffee, pistachio, praline and knafeh in the opening, with vanilla, cardamom and chocolate in the heart. Caramel, tonka and amberwood round it off. Distinctly sweet and warm.
2. Armaf Odyssey Mandarin Sky Elixir
Armaf Odyssey Mandarin Sky Elixir Limited Edition eau de parfum
Lavender, mandarin and black pepper, followed by caramel, tonka and incense on a base of vanilla and vetiver. Spicy with a sweet undertone. Also available in the Wheel of Odyssey Mandarin Sky set with three variants.
3. Armaf Club de Nuit Urban Man
Armaf Club de Nuit Urban Man eau de parfum
Bergamot, grapefruit and cardamom, a heart of lavender, cedar, ginger and nutmeg, and a base of patchouli, vetiver, sandalwood and oakmoss. Fresh and spicy for every day.
4. Armaf Club de Nuit Precieux I
Armaf Club de Nuit Precieux I extrait de parfum
Pear, pink pepper and pineapple, with anise, jasmine and oakmoss in the heart. The base of vanilla, leather, ambroxan and cedar is rich and woody.
5. Armaf Odyssey Nexus Aqva Edition
Armaf Odyssey Nexus Aqva Edition eau de parfum
Bergamot, mandarin and sea notes, with sage, rosemary and ginger in the heart and a base of incense, patchouli and woods. Fresh and marine.
6. Armaf Odyssey Limoni
Armaf Odyssey Limoni Limited Edition eau de parfum
Lemon, orange, bergamot and mandarin, with ginger, orange blossom and an aquatic accent on a soft base of amber and musk. Unisex and ideal for summer.
Prefer a perfume oil? Then take a look at Club de Nuit perfume oil, Vanity Femme perfume oil and Voyage Bleu perfume oil. For on the go there is the Club de Nuit Intense Man travel set.
Overview: which Armaf suits you?
| Fragrance | Character | Notable notes |
|---|---|---|
| Odyssey Dubai Chocolat | Gourmand, sweet | Pistachio, chocolate, caramel |
| Mandarin Sky Elixir | Spicy, sweet | Mandarin, caramel, incense |
| Club de Nuit Urban Man | Fresh, spicy | Grapefruit, lavender, vetiver |
| Club de Nuit Precieux I | Fruity, woody | Pear, leather, ambroxan |
| Odyssey Nexus Aqva | Fresh, marine | Sea notes, sage, incense |
| Odyssey Limoni | Citrus, light | Lemon, orange blossom, musk |
Armaf at Arabmusk
- All Armaf products: eau de parfums, perfume oils, sets and deodorants.
- Perfumed deodorants, such as Club de Nuit Woman, Club de Nuit Urban Man Elixir and Odyssey Homme.
- More choice in men's perfume, eau de parfum and perfume oil.
Tips for wearing Armaf
- Start carefully. Many Armaf fragrances are powerful. Two to three sprays are usually enough.
- Choose by season. Limoni and Nexus Aqva suit warm days, the sweet Odyssey editions suit autumn and winter.
- Combine with a deodorant from the same line. This lets you build up the fragrance in layers.
How a fragrance smells and how long it lasts differs from skin to skin.
Frequently asked questions about Armaf
Is Armaf an Arabian brand?
Yes, Armaf comes from Dubai and belongs to Sterling Perfumes Industries. The fragrances themselves, however, are often Western in style.
What is the best-known Armaf fragrance?
Club de Nuit Intense Man from 2015 is regarded as the fragrance that made the brand known internationally. The Club de Nuit series has been expanded considerably since then.
Does Hamidi belong to Armaf?
They come from the same company, Sterling Perfumes Industries. They are separate brands, though: Hamidi is more traditional and focuses on perfume oils and bakhour.
What is the difference between Club de Nuit and Odyssey?
Club de Nuit is the older, best-known line with mainly fresh and woody fragrances. Odyssey is broader and has received many sweet and fruity editions in recent years.
Does Armaf also make alcohol-free perfume?
Yes, some of the fragrances are available as a perfume oil in a roll-on bottle. Read more in our article perfume oil vs. eau de parfum.