The Notebook

A personal notebook on luxury, fashion, design and craftsmanship. Reflections on materials, heritage and the cultural meaning of objects.

My Notes1–8 of 21 notes

Is a Lab-Grown Diamond a Real Diamond?

Lab-grown diamonds, natural origin, gemological reports and the workmanship worth looking for in a jewel.

Animal musk, synthetic musks and what White Musk, Jicky and for her reveal about perfume ingredients.

A personal look at Dubai’s perfume studios, Middle Eastern Maisons and the traditions behind oud and bakhoor.

A Friday column on AI, creative judgement and the time it takes to check the work.

Ingredient order, preservatives, fragrance allergens and palm oil: what a cosmetic INCI list can tell you.

What oud is, how agarwood forms and what an oud note reveals about a perfume.

Amber beads, the warm accord in perfumery and the distinct origin of ambergris.

What vegan leather is made from, how footwear labels work and what to ask about environmental impact and repair.