Habibi New York

The story

Habibi, in Arabic, means “my beloved”: for the founders it is more than a name, it is a sentiment. Habibi New York was born in 2016 from Shakir Ahmed and Tabassum Khan, husband and wife, with a stated mission: “to redefine the essence of everyday luxury”. The brand is rooted in Arabian culture and tradition and carries them into a metropolis: the house speaks of blending “the opulence of Arabian heritage with the modernity of the bustling metropolis”. Its emblem is a ring of hearts, a symbol, in the brand's words, of its mission “to inspire love, unity, and diversity”.

Every fragrance, the house says, begins with a spark: a cherished memory, a stunning location, a shared experience. Then comes the perfumer, who receives an idea and “complete creative freedom”. Habibi New York does not have a single nose: it names Amelie Jacquin, Quentin Bisch and Christian Provenzano among its authors, and the individual creations credit Dominique Bouley for Desert Oud, Julie Pluchet for Penthouse Suede and Unspoken Love, Marion Costero for White Moroccan Leather, Hüseyin Erdoğmuş for Magnificent Rose, Angela Stavrevska for Sweet Confessions.

The heart of the collection is oud, in a clean, contemporary key: Desert Oud, among the best loved of the house, and Urban Oud, from 2020. In 2021 come White Moroccan Leather, Honeyed Tobacco & Oud and Velvet Royale. In 2023 the Reserve Collection is born, the most precious line: Ambre of the Sea, Rare Woods Elixir, Penthouse Suede and Palace Grove, presented by the brand as “the epitome of luxury”. The same year Habibi New York celebrates its seventh anniversary with an event at Bloomingdale's, where the Reserve Collection is available today. In 2025 the family grows with Magnificent Rose, Sweet Confessions and Unspoken Love.

“Rare ingredients. Small batch. Handcrafted in New York”: this is how the house sums up its work. The house declares 25% fragrance oil for its fragrances, for a wear it puts at 8 to 12 hours. The 75 ml bottles are made of heavy, hand-polished glass with embossed details, and the packaging is 90% recyclable. The compositions comply with IFRA standards and the final blending takes place in the United States. The result is a perfumery that speaks two languages: that of oud, rose and saffron, and that of a city that never stops reinventing itself.

The fragrances

At OUD Profumeria Artistica you will find fourteen Habibi New York perfumes, all in 75 ml bottles: seven Extrait de Parfum and seven Eau de Parfum. Next to each name are the olfactory family and the notes that make it recognisable.

• Oud, leather and spices: Desert Oud (amber woody: peach, clove, rose, oud and amber), Urban Oud (woody spicy: cardamom, suede, saffron, oud and vetiver), Honeyed Tobacco & Oud (amber spicy: cinnamon, honey, tobacco, leather and oud), White Moroccan Leather (leather amber: white pepper, nutmeg, orris, incense and leather).
• Reserve Collection: Ambre of the Sea (amber marine: sea water, violet, licorice, ambergris and sandalwood), Rare Woods Elixir (spicy woody: cardamom, milk, dates, black tea and sandalwood), Penthouse Suede (amber woody: pink pepper, metallic accord, orris, saffron and crystal amber), Palace Grove (citrus floral: citrus, fig leaf, orange blossom and coconut).
• Roses and flowers: Sahara Rose Absolute (floral amber: Turkish rose, oud, saffron and incense), Magnificent Rose (floral fruity: Hyderabad rose, blackcurrant, jasmine and sandalwood), Unspoken Love (floral fruity: Williams pear, melon, magnolia and orris), Iris Bloom (floral fruity: blackcurrant, orris, orange blossom and sandalwood), Velvet Royale (floral fruity: plum, violet, lily of the valley and vanilla).
• Gourmand: Sweet Confessions (gourmand floral: pistachio, almond, chocolate, warm milk and vanilla).

OUD Profumeria Artistica is an authorised Habibi New York retailer, online and at the store in Nettuno (Rome).

Frequently asked questions

Where is Habibi New York from?
Habibi New York is an American house, founded in 2016 by Shakir Ahmed and Tabassum Khan. The brand declares fragrances handcrafted in New York, in small batches, and pairs the heritage of Arabian perfumery with the style of the metropolis. In the United States its Reserve Collection is also available at Bloomingdale's.

Is Habibi New York an Arabian perfume?
It is an American brand with an Arabian heart. The name habibi means my beloved in Arabic, and the house declares roots in Arabian culture and tradition: oud, rose, saffron and incense are at the centre of many fragrances, such as Desert Oud, Urban Oud and Sahara Rose Absolute, reinterpreted with a clean, contemporary taste.

Which are the best-loved Habibi New York perfumes?
Desert Oud is the most reviewed on the official website and the most voted on Fragrantica; the best sellers listed by the house also include White Moroccan Leather, Honeyed Tobacco & Oud and Ambre of the Sea. With us, the three to start from are Ambre of the Sea, Urban Oud and Desert Oud.

What does Ambre of the Sea smell like?
Ambre of the Sea smells of sea and ambergris: it opens with sea water, sea salt, violet and bergamot, has a heart of rose, licorice and plum and a base of musk, ambergris, vanilla, patchouli and sandalwood. It is a bright, enveloping amber marine fragrance from the Reserve Collection.

What is the Habibi New York Reserve Collection?
It is the most precious line of the house, launched in 2023. It includes Ambre of the Sea, Rare Woods Elixir, Penthouse Suede and Palace Grove: four Extrait de Parfum that the brand describes as crafted by master perfumers using rare, premium ingredients, at 25% fragrance oil.

Which Habibi New York oud perfume should I choose?
Desert Oud is the warmest and most powerful: oud, amber and spices with a heart of white flowers. Urban Oud is more elegant and metropolitan, with suede, saffron and woods. Honeyed Tobacco & Oud is the most gourmand, between honey, tobacco and leather. Those who love rose with oud can look at Sahara Rose Absolute.

Are Habibi New York perfumes for men or for women?
Most are unisex. Desert Oud and Urban Oud lean masculine, Magnificent Rose, Unspoken Love, Iris Bloom and Velvet Royale lean feminine, but all can be worn by anyone. Ambre of the Sea, White Moroccan Leather and Sweet Confessions are among the most versatile.

Where to buy Habibi New York perfumes in Italy?
OUD Profumeria Artistica is an authorised Habibi New York retailer: you will find fourteen fragrances online and at our store in Nettuno, in the province of Rome. Shipping is free in Italy over €60, and over €100 we add 10 free samples.