Behind the Scent: No 26. Lost in the Souk

Behind the Scent: No. 26 Lost in the Souk

Like all of the candles in our signature collection, this one comes from a special memory— but it’s not solely mine. My client, Sandie Mazzi, shares some credit of its inspiration. Sandie is an interior designer, and her husband, Radouane, was born and raised in Morocco. Together they own a Moroccan rug company called Mazzi & Co. Searching for a gift they could offer their patrons; two engaged Aerangis to customize a scent that was meaningful to them but which their clients would appreciate as well. And with that, No. 26 Lost in the Souk, a candle paying homage to the Mazzis’ numerous journeys sourcing beautiful, hand-woven rugs in Morocco, and (in particular) illuminating the exotic scents of culture-rich Marrakech, was born. 

Here’s how this alluring candle came to life:

It starts with a scent profile.

The scent’s origins began with my client showing me pictures of her first trip to Morocco, including a visit to Marrakesh’s famous open-air market (what is referred to as “le souk”). She reminisced in detail of strolling through the narrow alleyways on one warm, sunny afternoon, stumbling across new fragrances with each new turn. The boutique leather and spice vendors emitted their own fragrant scents, but all seemed to include a tinge of mint, courtesy of the ubiquitous tea brewing throughout the market's corridors. Sandie also spoke of the succulent orange blossoms that filled the courtyard of her riad (a traditional house in Morocco, often used as a hotel), as well as the endless rows of Moroccan rose bushes blooming throughout Marrakech. Under the hot desert sun, these fragrances magically intertwined and intensified, creating an unforgettable scent memory that Sandie and Radouane asked to be memorized forever.

Then we took a trip to Morocco together. We created a “scent trail,” walking through all the fragrant areas Sandie talked about. We discovered the sources of these scents (such as the specific types of spices) and gathered local ingredients to bring back with us.

Next comes the perfumer process.

After our trip, I met with the perfumer to discuss the scents we encountered. The perfumer made up a few blends. They were beautiful but embodied more of the glamorous side of Morocco—the Morocco you see in travel and fashion magazines. It wasn’t the everyday Moroccan life - the dusty streets in the alleyways along the market and the herbal scent that hung in the air - that we wanted to capture. As with all our Aerangis candles, it’s not just about the beauty of the scent; it’s about the feeling, the nostalgia, that it evokes. That’s what we were looking for.

So, it was back to the drawing board. To fine-tune the fragrance, we provided the perfumer with more even images and detailed descriptions of our memory of Marrakech. Shortly after, we smelled a submission that really nailed it. Just one whiff instantly brought us both back to the marketplace under the hot sun. Beautiful? Absolutely, but also down-to-earth and relatable.

Finally, a scent was born.

This is the typical process behind all of our candles. It starts with a memory and evolves into an exquisite scent that captures your moment perfectly. Whether you’ve ever been lost in a souk yourself, or dream of visiting Morocco someday, this candle is meant to be a reminder of your last journey and, perhaps, inspire your next.