DUBAI BLACK SAPPHIRE

Iconic cities: They’re centuries in the making—except when they’re not. Dubai, the first 21st century megalopolis. Improbably nestled in the Arabian desert, Dubai sprang up seemingly from scratch over the past decade or two, and now dares to have the world’s tallest building—over half a mile high. Like New York, Dubai today is an expansive port of call and trading post, a finance- and real estate-driven city-state, a destination for throngs of tourists. Also like New York, it’s a melting pot of East-West cultures with a dizzying skyline of steel and glass and a global range of restaurants. It boasts having the world’s largest shopping malls, colossal hotels with fantasy spas.

What's more, reliable sources have informed us that Dubai longs to smell like New York. We've got a history designing not only celebrated New York-centric eau de parfum, but also outlier scents, like our beach series, inspired by the Hamptons and other New York resort towns.

Bond No. 9 Dubai is a collection of Arabic fragrances with a New York edge. The classic spice and incense flavors of the Levant, Greater Mideast and North Africa are maintained, but a focus is also placed on contemporary botanicals. The Bond No. 9 superstar bottle housing these scents is covered with interlacing Arabic starbursts on a gold background, the surface pattern evoking a sense of cosmic harmony and discovery. At the front of each bottle is an arched door. In a different color for each scent, this curved portal beckons the perfume wearer to riches inside.

Dubai Emerald is an intriguing play of light and dark. It also starts off with saffron, as well as fresh, woody hyssop and champagne-like aldehydes. Its heart is enchantment - rose and patchouli, surrounded by dense, syrupy oud and livened up with a dash of pepper. And its base is pure exotica: patchouli, sandalwood, amber, cypriol and leather.

Engrossing as a forest, with lingering base notes sprinkled throughout, Black Sapphire holds an obvious masculine appeal, yet has a mellowness that will compliment an assertively feminine woman. Its top notes - citrusy neroli blended with spicy-mellow saffron and beeswax, hinting of honey - are followed by Black Sapphire's only floral, resplendent Turkish rose, down with incense-rich oud and Siam benzoin, soothing sandalwood, cinnamon-like tolu balm and earthy vetiver.