When the world was busy whipping dalgona coffee during the pandemic, Nikita Dumbani was mixing essential oils instead. It was during the pandemic that Dumbani got interested in perfumery, which resulted in the launch of One of A Kind (OOAK) in 2021, a bespoke fragrance experience where Dumbani would go to people’s homes to teach them about perfume making and create a signature bespoke fragrance, too. Cut to 2025; Dumbani has now opened a minimal boutique perfumery in Khar, where, like at a bar, you have bottles of different fragrances lined in front of you, which are used to create custom concoctions. Whether you choose to craft your own version, or mimic a cult fragrance, is your choice.
2 The aromatic oils are then mixed with alcohol in a beaker
Top notes
Initially, Dumbani wanted to start a skincare brand. When she began working on it, she realised that one of the initial steps to launch a skincare brand is to find a signature aroma for all the products. This was her segue into perfumery, which she then decided to focus on. She combined research with her love for travelling and signed up for perfume-making classes at places she would plan to explore, be it Thailand or Dubai. She also visited the Attar Bazaar neighbourhood near Mohammed Ali Road to study traditional perfume experiences that this city has to offer. Since the launch, she has hosted live perfume bars at weddings, baby showers, birthdays, and even for events for big-ticket brands.
3 The perfume is then sealed in a bottle and is ready
“In times of delivery apps, everyone craves for gratification with a 10-minute-delivery, we are no longer stepping out to do or experience something. Plus, so many international fragrance brands have come to India in the past few years, despite India being home to places such as Kannauj, which makes ingredients for perfumers of the world. I wanted to fill this gap of experiencing something creative and have a product which is made from the finest ingredients from India,” shares Dumbani.
All the notes used in her perfumes are created in India. They have one signature perfume of their own, Call of the Valley, which is based on oud oil sourced from Assam. Dumbani also plans on launching candles soon.
Nikita Dumbani
The experience
For truly experiencing OOAK, we recommend you sign up for their perfume-making workshop, which spans a couple of hours, includes theory and a hands-on experience, and you take away 30 ml of a perfume you create with Dumbani’s help. We visit them anonymously on a weekday, and the store assistant dedicatedly takes us through their different notes and samples. Since we don’t have an appointment to make our own perfume, we decide to buy Call of the Valley, priced smartly at Rs 400 for 10 ml. You can customise this, too. They ask us if we like our perfumes strong (we like a good sillage) and create a blend of oils and alcohol (skin grade, the one used in sanitizers) accordingly.
The blend is mixed further in a beaker using a simple machine and sealed in a bottle. We are asked to store the bottle in a fridge for a minimum of 24 hours before we use it. You can even print your name on the label.
As for the perfume, it’s a heady mix of florals and oud, and it lingers for seven hours on a hot day. Whether you wish to de-stress through aromatherapy, be avant-garde and have your signature scent, or just want to have a fun night out with your girlfriends, this fragrance house is worth a visit.
TIME 11 am to 8 pm (on Sundays, appointment-only)
AT Shop no 3, Roop Mahal, 4th Road, Khar West.
LOG ON TO @ooakperfumes
CALL 7208412804 (perfume-making workshop and custom fragrance making, by appointment only)
COST Rs 2,500 (workshop price, including a perfume)
