Vanessa Obioha
Can one truly taste a perfume? This intriguing question was at the heart of the unveiling of Saudade, the latest fragrance from Spanish niche brand Botanicae, hosted in Lagos by premium niche perfume retailer Seinde Signature in collaboration with Gelato and Coffee University.
Held on a sunny Sunday afternoon in May, invited guests gathered at the Gelato and Coffee University for a playful experiment that brought the scent of Saudade—which means “melancholic joy” in Portuguese—to life not just through smell, but also through taste. They were treated to specially crafted gelato flavours inspired by the fragrance’s profile, including pear, vanilla, white chocolate, and woody notes, and were also introduced to the art of perfume-making.
On hand to guide the experience was Salvador Montesinos, founder of Botanicae. A lawyer-turned-perfumer, Montesinos has travelled the world in search of rare ingredients for niche fragrance formulations. Though this was his first visit to Nigeria, he expressed a strong interest in the country’s potential as a source of perfume ingredients.
“You have some really good woody notes here,” he said. “We were also trying to source some flowery extracts.”
For Olaseinde Olusola, founder of Seinde Signature, the unveiling of Saudade is part of a larger mission to build a deeper appreciation for niche perfumes in Nigeria. His company exclusively represents 43 brands and regularly hosts events that bring perfumers directly to local audiences. Last April, he played host to the legendary perfumer Christian Provenzano.
“From time to time, to popularise what we do, we invite the maker of the perfume to come, to testify that it’s not fake,” he said, explaining the partnership between him and Botanicae.
He added that his collaboration with Botanicae is also about breaking down barriers of exclusivity and helping more people engage with high-quality niche scents. Seinde Signature’s broader marketing efforts include exclusive events and a bold giveaway campaign that saw over 500 bottles gifted in 365 days—coincidentally concluding on the day of the Saudade event.
The 20-year-old Gelato and Coffee University, known for its dessert craftsmanship, found a natural synergy in translating Saudade into flavour. According to representative Demilola Olaniyi, the collaboration was designed to leave guests with a multi-sensory memory.
“I want people to taste Saudade when they taste these ice creams, just as they smell the perfume on their body,” he said.
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