Maya Njie Perfumes

“What I make is not new, it has always been there. I just give it a form to share it with you.”

I had no idea how loudly those words would speak to me this past week when we first recorded them. But there they are.

Nobody can, or should claim to discover a whole new story around traditional and indigenous materials. These materials, their uses and the knowledge surrounding them have existed long before any of us chose to interpret them through perfume.

What we can do is bring our own perspective. We can create, interpret, innovate and contribute something meaningful and ethical. In order to do this we have to acknowledge what came before us and the people and cultures who have carried that knowledge.

Edit and
Archival footage by

My work has always been centred around my personal stories and heritage, and all the things that have shaped who I am today. When something in those stories resonates with you and the perfumes become part of your own, I feel as though I’ve achieved what I set out to do.

I was named after my grandmother, Mariyama, it was passed down from her. It is common practice for West African families to have their own Thiouraye incense, this is Gowé blended with other raw materials. These recipes are secret and passed down through the generations, our family have this too.

Aethi Opum will be passed down to my daughter as a celebration of how these olfactory stories are preserved and continue into the future. Thank you for wanting to experience that.

Edit and
Reel cover photo

WE RIDE AT DAWN.

See full film via link in my highlights and stories.

Edit by and .

Soon to be on the road again and up next is San Fransisco’s first ever on June 26-28th.

This is a first for me too and I can’t wait to visit! 3 days of everything Scent Related, expect brands form all over the world, interesting panel talks which I will partake in and plenty to get stuck into.

Find further info in my stories ✌🏾

The awards is around the corner and you have the opportunity to smell the finalist perfumes and vote for your favourite in the People’s Choice category. You can do this in person at the Institute for Art and Olfaction in L.A and also at the upcoming in Milan in June. If you love what I do go and cast your vote 🙌🏾

Thank you to the team for hosting me in their Dalston store yesterday. And to the attendees who joined and created some beautiful bespoke perfume formulas. I really enjoyed coming back. If you haven’t visited this store I highly recommend that you do, it’s a feast for the eyes and the soul 💛

Aethi Opum has made it through as a finalist in the Artisan category at the Art and Olfaction Awards and I couldn’t be more proud and happy about this achievement. Thank you to the judges at and to everyone who has talked about and worn this scent so far, and to my team who help me fill, crimp and polish them up! You know it means a lot. Good luck everybody ♥️

THE DISCOVERY SET IS BACK IN STOCK.
For those of you who have reached out, your time is now. A complimentary 2ml of Aethi Opum will be added to all orders (of any perfume) - subject to availability. Find the correlating photo and spray on the front. You get it. 🩷

La Muralla Roja, designed by architect Ricardo Bofill in 1968, is a mesmerising building in Calpe, Spain that I first encountered almost two decades ago. My daughter’s grandparents live near by and it’s a place we have both admired since she was very young.

In 2022 myself and her (then aged 14) filmed and photographed what became the inspiration for my perfume Syrus (fka Syren), released in 2023.. No budget or models, just the two of us with curiosity around the colours, shapes and shadows that surrounded us. We have so many loved olfactory memories from this area.

Scent profile: Bergamot, Peach, Jasmine Sambac, Lilac, Sea salt, Clary Sage, Iris, Ambergris, Rosewood, Virginian Cedar, Oakmoss, Sandalwood