Egyptian Designer Malak Hany Styled Her Seven Favourite Fragrances

For this week’s Scene Selects, we caught up with Malak Hany, the founder of Egyptian Prêt à Porter label The Front Row Studios.

Ziyad El-Helbawy

Aug 23, 2024

Launching a fashion label in a market filled with international giants and established local brands is no small task. But for Malak Hany, the drive to turn her passion into a profession was irresistible. When she introduced The Front Row Studios, an Egyptian Prêt à Porter brand, in November 2023, the label quickly gained traction. With its distinct laid-back yet luxurious aesthetic, The label immediately resonated with many, leading to the release of multiple capsule collections that sold out rapidly.

Riding this wave of success, Hany has expanded her creative horizons, including the recent launch of her own fragrance, aptly named the Front Row Studios Fragrance. For this week’s Scene Selects, we asked Malak Hany to share her top seven fragrances, where she likes to wear them, and how she styles them.

For Date Nights

The Fragrance: Mancera Roses Vanille

With top notes of Italian lemon, middle notes of Turkish rose, and base notes of vanilla, white musk, and cedar, the Mancera Roses Vanille is a fragrance Hany reserves for date nights, given its “beautiful, sensual scent,” as Hany shares. “It kind of reminds me of my boyfriend,” she notes.

What to Wear it With:

The Front Row Studios | Black Lace Corset

Magda Butrym | Appliquéd lace-up satin sandals

Dior | Addict Lip Maximizer Plumping Gloss

For Party Nights

The Fragrance: YSL Libre

As wild as a wild night out, Yves Saint Laurent’s iconic libre fragrance features top notes of mandarin orange, lavender, black currant and petitgrain, middle notes of jasmine, lavender and orange blossom, and base notes of madagascar vanilla, cedar, ambergris and musk.

“I love wearing this perfume out when I know I’m going to have a good time, with really good music,” Hany shares. “It’s such an intense, memorable scent.” she adds.

What to Wear it With:

Okhtein | The Mini Feryel in Blue Python

Saint Laurent | Double-Breasted Leather Coat

Saint Laurent | Cassandra Sandals

For the ‘Laid Back’ Day

The Fragrances: Roberto Cavalli Eau de Parfum for Women & Narciso Poudree by Narciso Rodriguez

“Both these scents are my go to scents for when I’m running an errand or doing something chill like going to a friend’s house. They’re powder based scents, which make me feel clean and really relaxed.” Hany shares with SceneStyled.

For Roberto Cavalli’s EDP, the top note is pink pepper, middle note is African orange flower, and base notes are vanilla, benzoin and tonka bean. The Narciso Poudree Narciso Rodriguez features top notes of jasmine, Bulgarian rose and orange blossom, middle note of musk, and base notes of coumarin, cedar, vetiver and patchouli, all scents reminiscent of a blissfully calm day.

What to Wear it With:

“This is for those days where you just grab your laptop, your car keys, and spend the day outside.”

Louis Vuitton | Monogram Pochette

Essentials | Gray Hoodie

For Your Best Friend’s Wedding

The Fragrances: Kilian ‘Love, Don’t be Shy’ & Guerlain Mon Guerlain

“These are my go-tos for upscale events. I actually wore ‘Love, Don’t be Shy’ at Paris Fashion Week!” Hany shares. “I love how this scent makes me feel, and how it blends into my skin like nothing else,” she adds.

'Love, Don’t be Shy' starts with notes of Neroli, Bergamot, Pink Pepper, and Coriander, followed by Orange Blossom, Honeysuckle, Jasmine, Iris, Rose, and Marshmallow. The base features sweet notes of sugar, vanilla, caramel, musk, civet, and labdanum.

Guerlain Mon Guerlain opens with Lavender and Bergamot, leads into Iris, Jasmine Sambac, and Rose, and finishes with Tahitian vanilla, coumarin, Australian sandalwood, licorice, benzoin, and patchouli.

What to Wear it With:

Hermès | Burgundy Shiny Niloticus Gold Kelly Cut Pochette Clutch

Roberto Cavalli | F/W 2000 Sheer Silk Leopard High Slit Ruffle Gown Dress

“The cut of the dress is just gorgeous,” Hany notes.

For the Late Night Dinner

The Fragrance: The Front Row Studios Fragrance

Hany would be remiss not to include her own fragrance, and rightfully so. "My forever scent, the one that truly represents me, is both bold and sensual.” she shares. I wear this perfume when I want to feel sexy and powerful, whether I'm heading to a late-night dinner or an important work meeting.” Hany adds.

With top notes of saffron, jasmine, and bitter almond, middle notes of cedarwood and ambergris, and base notes of amberwood, fir balsam, and musk, the fragrance encapsulates summer, ideal for late nights out.

What to Wear it With:

Madewell | Low Slung Baggy Jeans