SCENT-SATIONAL GIFTS AND BEYOND
AF PERFUMERY ANGEL ORTIZ
Scent is often treated as an afterthought in the daily scheme of things. Nonetheless, it leaves a greater impact than we realize. Smells can evoke emotions and influence mood, which often dictates how the rest of our day will unfold. Our olfactory system is programmed to identify scents and associate each with a particular memory, creating a lasting, personal significance.
Utilizing this same concept of scent memory as a way to both commemorate and preserve special occasions, Aromafilipinas (better known as AF Perfumery) was officially launched in 2018 as a service that aims to make gifting simple, but also enhanced with a personal touch as an additional feature for its clients and events.
After joining numerous expos and bridal fairs to promote the brand and expand its reach, Aromafilipinas—bespoke Scents and Curated Gifts currently operates as a full-service, artisan gifting business that specializes in bespoke scents and curated items tailored after a client’s or an event’s aesthetic and personality.
AF works with its clients—couples, large corporations, small businesses and private individuals—to create custom gifts for weddings, corporate settings, events, client appreciation, as well as welcome baskets for special occasions and milestones.
Prior to an event, AF’S multi-step design process greatly involves client input. It starts with mood boards and ends with the full gift assembly, ensuring full collaboration and creativity. Depending on the client’s requirements and/or theme, AF sources and procures products and services from partner brands and companies, as well as those not included in AF’S inventory list. These are then packed into specially curated boxes, like the Travel Box, which can include an assortment of travel-related items such as luggage tags, passport sets, airline tickets, accommodations, land tours, and the like.
Other products available via AF include handcrafted leatherware, artisanal coffee and chocolate tablea, artisanal soaps, gift certificates for arts and crafts classes, travel gift packs, Staycation Gift Boxes, and Anniversary Gift Boxes.
AF takes some of the burden off event planning by handling all aspects of the gifting process, such as design concept, private label and product development, product sourcing and custom commissions, custom packaging and branding, marketing collateral and then finally, fulfillment and distribution. As a result, AF has secured a roster of loyal customers that range from low profile, high-end clientele to top corporations in the country today.
Currently, AF continues to expand its business through extensive product discovery and development, as well as exploring creative ideas for special curated boxes. But because most of its supplies are imported, AF occasionally has to deal with challenges like fluctuating dollar rates, delayed shipping, and exuberant shipping fees and taxes. By adopting prudent measures such as giving samples and sending gift box prototypes before going into production, AF is able to determine and manage client expectations.
With their hands-on approach to gifting, from conceptualization to delivery, AF has become a go-to source of quality and timeless, handcrafted gifts.