There is something about a classical Ghalia that I have always found beautiful.
The combination of oud, rose, musk and ambergris has existed in traditional perfumery for generations, and for me, very few compositions can match the richness and elegance of these materials when they are brought together properly.
Ghalia Ward is my expression of that tradition.
I wanted to create a proper classical Ghalia, one that celebrates the beauty of rose while allowing the oud, musk and ambergris to play their equally important roles.
At the heart of this composition are nine different oud oils and multiple varieties of rose.
I have always believed that different oud oils bring different qualities to a composition. Some contribute depth, others richness, warmth or a particular woody character.
The same is true for rose.
Each variety has its own beauty, its own aromatic character and its own way of developing alongside the other materials.
And that is what I wanted with Ghalia Ward.
I did not want one oud to overpower everything else, or one particular rose to dominate the entire composition.
I wanted every oud and every rose to have its moment.
The opening is beautifully floral, with the richness of rose immediately revealing itself. It is deep, elegant and unmistakably classical.
As the composition develops, the roses become more velvety, while the different oud oils begin to reveal their individual characters beneath the floral richness.
And then comes the musk.
For me, the musk has one of the most important roles in Ghalia Ward.
It brings everything together.
The roses, the ouds and their individual characters begin to feel less like separate ingredients and more like one complete composition.
It adds a beautiful powderiness and softness, allowing the richness of the oud and rose to develop together naturally.