My introduction to Emirates Pride as a brand was a little unusual, I was actually at another fragrance store – Yusuf Bhai’s store in Deira – and I happened to spot an Emirati woman asking Yusuf Bhai to make a dupe of her bottle of Emirates Pride. I caught a whiff of it in the air as she sprayed it, and asked her if she could recommend some fragrances from this house. She was kind enough to share her top picks: Mystery, Amber Bel Oud and Golden Chance.
The delicious irony that I came across Golden Chance, by chance, on a golden sunny day in Dubai, is not lost on me.
So Who are Emirates Pride?
Emirates Pride are a UAE based fragrance brand, founded in 2011. Their fragrances are high quality, but also relatively affordable.
What stands out about Emirates Pride, for me, is the simplicity and elegance of their fragrances, whilst still honouring and maintaining their Arab DNA.
Golden Chance by Emirates Pride
So after my hot tip in Deira, I headed off to Dubai Mall and made a beeline for the Emirates Pride kiosk. There, I sampled some of their fragrances, and was completely taken by Golden Chance.
I have nothing else quite like it in my collection, it somehow manages to smell very simple, as though there aren’t many notes to it all, yet very elegant and sophisticated at the same time. I’m not one to be swayed by packaging or bottles or anything like that, but in this case, even the bottle gives it a certain aura. It looks reassuringly expensive amongst its peers in my collection.
Official fragrance notes of Emirates Pride Golden Chance
Top note: Lily flower
Heart note: Vanilla
Base notes: Amber, oud
What does Emirates Pride Golden Chance actually smell like?
As the note breakdown suggests, this is not a complex, multi-layered scent, but at the same time it does feel a bit mysterious, as though you can’t quite put your finger on what the notes actually are. The best way to describe the scent is of innocence. It’s soft and warm, sweet yet sensual, powdery yet creamy, all at the same time.
The vanilla is clearly present, but it’s understated, and not like the sickly-sweet vanillas you might find in western fragrances – the Arabs really know how to handle their vanilla. I think part of that, is the soft floral note, which balances the vanilla. I also found that the oud is so mild it’s almost not there at all, but it lurks very much in the background, giving the fragrance just a touch of woodiness which grounds this scent and prevents it from becoming another overbearing gourmand.
This is a classy, elegant, rich scent that’s perfect for all seasons. We’re not there yet, but I can imagine this having a warming presence whilst I’m at the Christmas Markets, and yet it’s equally at home on a warm summer’s day.
Longevity and sillage
Whilst this is a soft fragrance, it is actually quite long lasting, and lingers in the air for hours. My husband sprayed this on one morning before work, and I could still smell it lingering in the hallway a couple of hours later. It certainly leaves a trail behind it.
Not only that, it also clings to clothes longer than most fragrances too. A good example of that, I sprayed some onto my PJs before bed one night, and could still smell it strongly in the morning.
My only advice with this fragrance would be to avoid going overboard with the sprays. Whilst the vanillia isn’t offensive on the nose, it can get a bit strong with too many sprays and quickly become a bit sickly – but then I’d advise that with pretty much any fragrance containing vanilla.
Interestingly, whilst I love this fragrance, it isn’t exactly a complex one. Throughout the course of the day, it will hang around on you, but it doesn’t really develop, it just stays the exact same all day. This caught me by surprise a little, as most of the Arab perfumes I wear tend to evolve, yet Golden Chance remains a constant throughout the day.
Where can I purchase Emirates Pride perfumes in the UK?
You can purchase Emirates Pride perfumes from their website here and the good news is they ship worldwide, including the UK!
Alternatively, if you just happen to be in Dubai, it would be well worth popping to one of their branches to try before you buy.
Sadly, Golden Chance has been discontinued, which is a shame as I’m yet to find anything out there quite like it. It cost me around £94 for a 100ml bottle.
