In Conversation with Toni Cabal: The Master Perfumer Behind Kajal’s Uplifting New Creation, Kolada
To celebrate the launch of Kolada, we are delighted to introduce the creative genius behind the fragrance, Master Perfumer Toni Cabal. With over three decades of experience and a lifelong connection to scent, Toni’s approach to perfumery is both instinctive and refined, a balance of technical precision and emotional depth.
Kolada is a luminous escape, a fragrance that conjures golden light, sun-warmed skin, and the serene joy of a world momentarily paused. Creamy coconut, radiant pineapple and a breeze of bergamot unfold in harmony, capturing the sensation of presence and possibility.
In this exclusive interview, Toni reflects on a journey rooted in heritage and guided by gratitude, a creative life devoted to emotion, memory, and the quiet pursuit of beauty.
What first awakened your fascination with fragrance – was it a particular moment, a memory, or something more instinctive that drew you in?
Fragrance has always been a part of my life. My father was a perfumer, and from a very young age, I was immersed in the world of scent. I grew up surrounded by blotters, raw materials, and perfumes. That connection was my first step into this world.
Did your journey into perfumery unfold gradually, or was there a defining moment that shaped your sense of purpose as a creator?
My journey into perfumery was gradual. Although I was introduced to this world through my father, I chose to begin from the ground up. I worked across various roles in different companies, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the industry and the discipline required to become a perfumer. This experience gave me the confidence to start creating my own fragrances to express my own olfactive voice and share it with the world through signature creations.
When you began to create Kolada, what was the first note, image, or feeling that stirred your imagination and set the process in motion?
The creation of Kolada began with the image of a tropical escape. The first image in my mind was of white sand, turquoise waves, and the sun on skin. Creamy coconut and the juicy pineapple were the first notes . From there, the rest unfolded naturally.
Were there any notes in Kolada that proved especially complex, or unexpectedly inspiring, during the formulation?
Coconut has a particular challenge in terms of balance. Its gourmand character, if not carefully modulated, can easily become overpowering or synthetic. The process of harmonizing it with the juicy brightness of pineapple required precision. But that challenge pushed me to find harmony I was looking for.
Are there certain notes or accords that you naturally gravitate towards in your work? If so, what continues to draw you back to them?
Yes, Italian bergamot is one of the ingredients that truly represents me as a perfumer. It’s more than just a top note; it’s a signature that brings my personal touch to many creations.
Kajal Kolada is described as a fragrance rooted in joy, gratitude, and inner paradise. Has gratitude played a role in your creative life?
Absolutely. Gratitude is the foundation of everything I do. Every fragrance I create is, in a way, a thank you, to the people who inspired me, to the nature, the sea, the emotions I feel in the opera… With Kolada, I wanted to bottle that sense of grateful presence.
Kolada invites a sense of lightness and warmth, how important is it to you that a fragrance creates an emotional space?
It’s essential. Fragrance isn’t just about smelling beautiful, it’s about feeling something. A well-crafted scent creates a space, a mood, a memory. With Kolada, I wanted to create a little world where people could breathe and feel uplifted.
Some perfumers work in silence, others with music, sketches or scent memories. Is there anything outside of perfumery that nourishes your creativity when developing a fragrance?
Absolutely. My creativity is constantly nourished by experiences beyond the lab. Travel has always been a profound source of inspiration for me. Each country I visit offers new scents, colors and emotions that naturally find their way into my compositions. In particular, the Mediterranean Sea holds a special place in my creations. Music, especially opera, is another important element in my creative process.
Now that Kolada has been released, how does it feel to see it worn, shared and spoken about? Do the responses of others ever shape how you see the fragrance yourself?
It’s deeply rewarding to see how Kolada is received by others. People bring their own memories and meanings to Kolada, and that enriches the fragrance even more. Perfumery is a shared experience between the perfumer and the wearer.
Is there any wisdom you would offer to someone at the very beginning of their journey into perfumery? Something you wish you’d known, or something that has stayed with you?
One of the most important pieces of advice I can offer is to dedicate time to developing a deep understanding of raw materials. Each ingredient has its own personality and the ability to behave differently depending on its context. Mastering them is essential to composing with confidence and precision. Perfumery is both an art and a science, and true mastery comes from balancing the two.
