Iranians are reportedly the worlds seventh and Middle Easts second largest consumer of cosmetics. A typical Iranian woman uses up 22 bottles of perfume on average a year against three bottles by the French, according to the Tasnim news agency.
Mainstream labels such as Yves Saint Laurent, Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Armani and Dior are in the vogue, taking up shelf space in upmarket stores in Tehran and other big cities.
However, years of sanctions have generated an underground market and bootleg perfumes are peddled in large quantities so that at least one-third of cosmetics and fragrance brands are fake, according to Tasnim.
LOreal is the most known French cosmetics and beauty group in Iran, with a portfolio spanning nearly 10 years.
France, which is reputed for perfume, is trying to take advantage of the crave for savoir-faire which has both traditional and religious roots in Iran.
Muslims are enjoined by tradition to follow Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) in using perfumes and fragrance, especially while attending congregational prayers.
Meanwhile, perfumery has a long history in Iran and communities linked to fragrance business are still found across the vast country. Local artisans steaming petals over fires in hulking copper pots to distill rose water in Kashan and Qamsar in central Iran is a familiar sight.
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A farmer is picking rose petals in Kashan. ISNA[/caption]The practice dates back to the Sassanid Persia, with the rose water from Qamsar having found iconic fame for being used every year to clean the Kaaba in Mecca to which Muslims turn each day to say their prayers.
Iran is the world's biggest producer of rose water, distilling about 26,000 tonnes per year.
Essence extracts from rose water in Kashan, with a French standard certification credit to its name, are exported, ending up in production of high-end perfume brands with floral notes which are retailed back to Iran and other countries.
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A rose water distillery in Qamsar[/caption]Those exports have wilted under sanctions and a recent opening after the July conclusion on of nuclear talks has raised hopes to revive the business.
Currently, representatives of more than 150 French companies led by the countrys trade and agriculture ministers are visiting Iran in search of new business opportunities.
With olfactory senses also set on Irans fragrance and beauty market, rose water is seen as best placed to help leading French perfume brandsdiversity their editions and build a local brand.
By Press TV
