KEHL, GERMANY—The House of Amouage and Mandarin Oriental hotels share many values, not least an appreciation of the lessons to be learned from tradition, a tireless commitment to innovation, and a deep respect for the wishes of their devotees. So, it is not surprising that when the award-winning, luxury hotel group wanted to create a bespoke collection of perfumed amenities for their guests, they turned to Amouage.
Bringing such a vision to life in the hotel bathroom requires a careful balance of fragrance, formulation, and design. Every detail contributes to a refined, memorable experience. This is where ADA Cosmetics lends its expertise, combining advanced formulations, innovative dispenser systems, and sustainable packaging solutions to ensure a seamless expression of the fragrance in use.
Amouage had already introduced two opulent hotel collections, each inspired by the avant-garde spirit of its signature scents and created by the Omani fragrance house. ADA Cosmetics partnered in translating these fragrances into high-quality hotel amenities, reflecting a shared understanding of how fine fragrance can be expressed within the context of luxury hospitality.
Building on this foundation, ADA Cosmetics supported the collaboration between the House of Amouage and Mandarin Oriental, contributing to the creation of a bespoke amenity concept that brings together perfumery, hospitality, and thoughtful product design.
A Tale of Two Houses
“It was an honor to be asked to create a unique scent for Mandarin Oriental,” says Amouage’s Chief Creative Officer, Renaud Salmon, “and in order to treat the composition process with the seriousness it deserved, I knew straight away that the starting point would have to be the origin of what is now a globally-respected symbol of quality and hospitality.”
The beginning of what we now know as the Mandarin Oriental can be traced back to two points. The first is in Hong Kong in the middle of the 20th century, when the original Mandarin Hotel was founded. The second goes further back, to the late 19th century, and the opening of the Oriental Hotel in Bangkok. Brought together in 1985 under one name—Mandarin Oriental—the two establishments have since become a byword for understated opulence.
“It was clear to me,” explains Salmon, “that I would have to spend some time getting to know both original hotels, as well as the cities which are home to them. It was equally clear that this was a journey not to be undertaken alone.”
To accompany him on this voyage, Salmon turned to Suzy Le Helley, an acclaimed young perfumer with a particular talent for achieving both clarity and subtlety in her work. Instinctively, Salmon knew that her sensibilities would complement the codes and aesthetics of the Mandarin Oriental group.
In Search of a Whisper
To claim that the pair’s stay in Hong Kong and Bangkok provided them with a wealth of inspiration would be an understatement. “In many ways, the journey was totally overwhelming,” says Salmon. “There was so much to see, touch, and smell. There was so much history to consider. There were so many contrasts and clashes—nature and technology, slowness and speed, pristine tranquility and glorious chaos. Indeed, at one point, Suzy and I wondered if it would ever be possible to somehow distill the essence of everything around us into a single scent.”
However, just when they felt their goal might be out of reach, they recalled the symbol that had accompanied them during their entire trip: the elegant, eleven-bladed fan that forms the Mandarin Oriental’s instantly recognizable emblem.
“The fan made us realize what we would remember most powerfully after we had returned home, after the colors and noise and crowds had faded away. Genuine contact between people, a true devotion to attentive hospitality and, above all, an understanding that everyone can contribute to making our shared environments welcoming and beautiful—that was the feeling that had gradually worked its way under our skin,” says Salmon.
In a flash of insight, the principles that would guide the formation of the scent had become clear: eleven distinct notes—one for each blade of the fan—coming together to form a whole that possesses the ability to remain discreet while creating an indelible impression. A whisper of scent—hence the name Whispers Of The Fan.
Whispers Of The Fan—Eleven Markers of Graceful Hospitality
The notes that were selected for the scent represent the highlights of Salmon’s and Le Helley’s journey to Hong Kong and Bangkok, as well as a connection with the Omani roots of Amouage.
Lemongrass—used within infusions in Hong Kong, this bracing, citrusy material is a symbol of welcome and hospitality.
Mandarin—an obvious echo of the name of the hotels, this ingredient lends a gentle, sweet charm, while evoking the offerings made at Hong Kong’s Man Mo temple.
Coconut—creamy, milky, and soft, coconut evokes the palm trees in Bangkok.
Ginger—bright, effervescent, and full of energy, ginger represents the kinetic energy of the streets encountered by Salmon and Le Helley.
Lotus Flower—this eternal symbol of purity and spirituality—with a watery, airy odor—is often displayed floating inside glass bowls at The Oriental in Bangkok.
Jasmine—sensuous and delicate, jasmine was a major olfactory highlight of the journey, thanks to its use in garlands, tea, and the delicate bracelets that are wound around guests’ wrists upon arrival.
Rice—the scent of rice is always present in the air in Bangkok and Hong Kong, white, powdery, and slightly earthy.
Tea—perhaps the ultimate symbol of hospitality, as well as a nod to the plants growing on Victoria Peak, tea brings contemplative aromas of translucent woodiness.
Bamboo—present in both cities, this distinctive, highly architectural plant is conjured in the composition through clean, fresh greenness.
Incense—a link between Oman and Hong Kong, the incense used here is clear, limpid and suffused with tender humility.
Silk—unblemished, refined and supple, this note lends the whole a texture of utter smoothness and effortlessness.
Each One is Distinct & Recognizable
Thanks to Le Helley’s skills, these elements are brought together in a form that makes each one distinct and recognizable while never permitting the overall effect to be anything other than quiet and understated. In the same way that the exemplary service at the Mandarin Oriental hotels is always present and pre-emptive of guests’ needs, without ever drawing attention to itself, Whispers Of The Fan acts as an ethereal, never-fading presence, always in the background, providing comfort, solace and companionship.
The tailor-made formulations and packaging of the Whispers Of The Fan collection are developed and produced by ADA Cosmetics. Drawing on its skincare expertise and commitment to the highest sustainability standards, ADA Cosmetics translates the fragrance vision into a complete, sensorial guest experience.
“Our close relationship with the House of Amouage, combined with our deep understanding of the needs of luxury hospitality, has enabled us to co-create something truly special for Mandarin Oriental,” says ADA Cosmetics’ Chief Marketing Officer, Gerd von Podewils. “Together, we have designed a bespoke packaging concept that unites luxury, innovation, and sustainability, and crafted exquisite formulations infused with the graceful perfume of Whispers Of The Fan.”
Six Expressions of the Eleven
The Whispers Of The Fan perfume forms part of six different amenity products, each of which has been formulated not merely to be a carrier for a beautiful scent, but also to fulfill its key purpose in superlative fashion and make each guest’s experience as luxurious and memorable as possible.
Shampoo—gently cleansing, without stripping the hair of its natural nutrients.
Conditioner—completely devoid of excessive heaviness, the conditioner nourishes and revives.
Bath & Shower Gel—bracing in the most relaxing way imaginable, while being soothing and delicate.
Hand Wash—a soft, richly foaming formula, designed to calm and caress.
Hand & Body Lotion—a true balm for the weary traveler, silky and exquisite.
Soap—shaped in the form of the Amouage shield emblem, the soap epitomizes refined luxury.
All six gentle and non-irritating formulations are vegan, cruelty-free, and crafted from ingredients of 97 percent natural origin.
In complete synergy with the spirit of the Mandarin Oriental and the House of Amouage, ADA Cosmetics is committed to delivering products and services of the finest quality. The company is the only manufacturer of hotel cosmetics with a Cradle to Cradle Certified Full Scope Silver product portfolio. It holds a prestigious EcoVadis Gold rating for sustainability and is fully compliant with EC 1223/2009 and US MoCRA standards.
Bespoke Packaging with a Luxurious Aesthetic
All of the liquid products in the Whispers Of The Fan amenities line are presented in a new, sustainably produced and refillable dispenser system, conceived and developed by ADA Cosmetics in close collaboration with Amouage, specifically for this unique endeavor.
Echoing the distinctive lines of the Amouage Body Line collection, the refined and elegant bottles combine a luxurious ceramic-look and feel resin shell with a lightweight inner bottle made from 100 percent PCR PET. This bespoke system allows for inner bottles to be easily replaced while the shell remains in service, providing a decorative highlight in the room. Set within a tone-in-tone, invisible and tamper-proof wall bracket, the system is only touched by housekeeping for a bottle exchange—a discreet window in the shell allows for easy monitoring of the liquid level.
The lightweight inner bottle weighs only 15g, offering an 80 percent reduction in plastic compared to standard pump dispenser bottles and reducing both transport emissions and plastic waste. It is fitted with ADA Cosmetics’ innovative, award-winning, 100 percent mono-material hygiene pump, a fully recyclable design which ensures the highest safety standards due to its patented drainage system.
The pale lotus-colored bottles with soft black printing maintain the understated aesthetic present at all Mandarin Oriental hotels. The Whispers Of The Fan solid soap is packaged in an elegant box made of FSC-certified paper, while small portions are delivered in fully recyclable aluminum tubes, featuring the same pale lotus color combined with a Caledon Green print, which is Mandarin Oriental’s signature color.
