THE SCENT OF SUCCESS

ABHISHEK and AKSHAY RAINA, founders of Aeronot perfumes, are creating exquisite fragrances that are gathering a cult following.

- Karen Alfonso

What happens when two brothers who have no background in perfumery decide to create a fragrance brand? Alchemy is what happens. Niche perfumery brand Aeronot is one of India's best-kept secrets - until now.

Brothers Abhishek and Akshay Raina are both self-confessed fragrance junkies, but it was Akshay, the younger of the two, who kickstarted the brand. "It started back in 2018, I was in my third year in college and I created a small pilot project in perfumery," he recalls.

"I was friends with someone who ran one of the biggest fragrance perfume manufacturers in India; they have manufacturing units in Grasse, France (known as one of the major hubs in perfumery), so it was easy. I came up with four variants and made about 200 units." Akshay decided to sell those units at various exhibitions around New Delhi. The stock sold out in three days, and he started getting calls from customers to create perfumes for their weddings, or to restock them. Realising he was on to something, he quickly registered the company, and completed the necessary paperwork, while finishing his studies on the side.

"What started off as a passion project for Akshay made us realise there was actually a gap in the market - between luxury and mass," adds Abhishek, taking up the narrative.

The brothers decided to revamp the brand-changing the design, and coining the name after their shared love for aviation and space. The perfume names - Foxtrot and Icarus too reflected that passion.

Following his heart, Abhishek, who had just finished his Masters in Aerospace Engineering in Sweden, decided to join his brother's venture.