Insar Hafeez has been a practicing GP and member of the Royal College of General Practitioners for 26 years. He’s been a perfumer for just coming up to two. Parfum d’Inza has already launched four dazzling fragrances from the company’s Bourton on the Water production site and is planning more. Insar’s move into fragrance combines two long-held passions: perfume and a desire to create a business model addressing: “the thing that most disturbed me [as a GP] …the feeling of helplessness when seeing patients struggling with social isolation”. Therefore, his business model is structured around “crafting beautiful fragrances that also contribute to a more beautiful world.”
What led to the creation of Parfum d'Inza?
In 2018, I was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune condition whereby my body was slowly shutting down my organs. I underwent a lifesaving transplant operation and am thankful to my 22-year-old organ donor for giving me the gift of life. Recovery was long, and after about a month and a half, I was let go from my job as a salaried GP.
This saddened me. I was let go by a system that I had worked for all my adult life. While off duty, I stumbled upon an interview with Judge Judy where she stated: ‘no matter who you are, or how old you are, do the things you are good at, and you will be successful’. I was good at creative thinking and scents. [I decided] to create a brand ecosystem to invest back into the community and Parfum d’Inza was born.
How did you come to be interested in fragrance?
Fragrance has been a lifelong passion that started in my childhood. Even back then, family and friends would often seek my opinion on fragrances; I had the honour – and the immense pressure – of choosing a fragrance for my brother-in-law's wedding. The seeds of my interest were really planted by my parents: my mother's beloved Chanel No 5 and my father's classic Old Spice aftershave, which I'd gleefully splash on after pretending to shave as a boy.
How did you learn how to create scents?
With the help of online courses I was able to describe different ingredients and understand the basic building blocks of a fragrance. However, I wanted to truly understand the craft and take my hobby to the next level.
I started researching online and stumbled upon the perfumer, John Stephen. He didn't accept my request for mentorship outright, but he saw something in my enthusiasm and offered me the opportunity to attend a one-day amateur course. The fragrance I created that day was quite simple, but John liked it. To my surprise and delight, he offered me a place on his commercial perfumery course.
You talk about blending Eastern and Western cultural influences in your fragrances. Can you elaborate on this?
My approach to fragrance is deeply rooted in a multicultural upbringing. My father's work allowed us to travel the world, exposing me to a rich tapestry of sensory experiences that profoundly shaped my creative vision.
My earliest years were spent in rural Ile-Ife, Nigeria, surrounded by the vibrant pulse of nature, with visits to the local ‘Sabo’ markets igniting my young imagination. Later, we moved to Al-Ain, a tranquil oasis near Dubai before its rapid modernisation. I remember endless stretches of sand, and the souks overflowing with spices, resins, fragrant woods and perfume oils, all blending in harmonious accord.
But perhaps the most formative exposure to flavours and fragrances came during my university years studying medicine in Constanta, Romania. I was captivated by the scents used in Orthodox rituals and the fragrant oils employed in Islamic ceremonies: England, with its rich herbal traditions, offered a grounding balance.
All these experiences are reflected in my formulations. While we source all our ingredients through UK suppliers, they come from all corners of the world: Pink pepper and sweet orange from Brazil, Florida white grapefruit, French lavender, Cotswold lavender, Cambodian oudh, sandalwood from India and rose sourced from the foothills of the Atlas Mountains in Morocco.
Tell us about the collection.
None of my collection is tested on animals, and I do not use any animal products in my formulations. Moreover, our packaging is luxurious and at the same time recyclable. All my fragrances are Extrait de Parfum, boasting a higher concentration of perfume oils than Eaux de Parfum. This translates to exceptional longevity and projection
Finally, we note you work with the McCarthy Dixon Foundation. How did this come about?
The philosophy behind Parfum d'Inza is deeply rooted in giving back but it was crucial to find an organisation where the funds directly impact those who need it most. A friend mentioned The Swan and Helmet – a pub he frequents – telling me about the incredible work they do, like hosting events for the elderly, providing breakfast boxes to schools, and delivering groceries to families in need. They were working with mental health teams and homeless shelters in Northamptonshire and beyond, helping to establish other charities across the UK.
Michael kindly connected me with Teresa McCarthy-Dixon, the founder. I knew we shared a common goal. The first step towards eradicating poverty is acknowledging the problem within our own community. The McCarthy Dixon Foundation's tireless work in the UK, recognised by both The Pride of Britain Award and The King's Award for community service, resonated deeply. If it's good enough for the King, it's certainly good enough for me.
Beyond the McCarthy Dixon Foundation, we also quietly support young, talented individuals. Currently, we're supporting a remarkably gifted 13-year-old perfumer who has a very bright future. Finally, research is another area where we invest. Each fragrance is intentionally linked to a specific cause: Men's Mental Health initiatives; prostate cancer research and awareness; domestic abuse services; and breast cancer awareness and cancer research.
THE COLLECTION
Cèdre Doux: A deep, dark fragrance designed to project power and unwavering confidence. It's a bold statement, a true confidence booster. While primarily favoured by men, some women embrace its commanding presence.
Vert Boisé: The inspiration came from an unexpected source: Barry White's song, Practice What You Preach. I wanted to capture a feeling of maturity and depth, while simultaneously evoking the experience of walking through a rain-soaked forest and inhaling that earthy, green aroma. As it dries down, Vert Boisé reveals a subtle, balsamic sweetness.
Éclat Rouge: Pure Moulin Rouge – empowering, provocative, and undeniably seductive. It opens with a burst of Florida white grapefruit and French lavender, punctuated by a show-stopping sparkle of Brazilian pink pepper. This initial vibrancy is quickly softened by Moroccan Rose absolute from the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, with nuances of honey and plum. The dry down is a beautiful, grounding Indian sandalwood.
Reine de la Nuit: This is deeply personal to me. I created it to embody elegance and sensuality. The inspiration behind this fragrance was my mother, who sadly passed away from breast cancer. She loved Chanel No 5, but the intention wasn't to replicate it – I wanted to create a timeless fragrance centered around jasmine. This scent transports me back to my childhood and brings with it both fond and bittersweet memories.
Shop the collection and find out more about Insar’s work with the McCarthy-Dixon Foundation at parfumdinza.com. Fragrances start at £120
