The Story Of An Original Founder That Bridged Two Worlds:
HIMBA co-founder Henry Baisi had a deep passion for creating a fragrance that would merge two contrasting worlds: the vibrant, fast-paced life of London, his adopted home, and the rich historical roots of Africa, his ancestral homeland. As a leading fashion capital, London is synonymous with sophistication and affluence, and it was here that Baisi honed his craft while working for Boots, the UK’s top fragrance retailer.
During his time at Boots, Baisi gained valuable insights into his customers’ desires, having been a loyal customer himself. After several journeys to Africa, he experienced an ‘aha’ moment. Sitting with his colleagues, he realized his passion for fragrance could be intertwined with his desire to support the rural African women he had met during his travels. This sparked a mission to bridge the gap between these two worlds.
Baisi asked himself a pivotal question: What unique offerings does Africa have for the modern world, and how can we bring them to the forefront?
Celebrated for its natural fragrances, Africa embodies the essence of pure, untouched cosmetics that reflect the beauty of nature we all desire. Henry Baisi collaborated with rural women in Africa to uncover the secrets of exquisite scents, utilizing traditional, plant-based ingredients deeply rooted in culture, tailored for the modern millennial woman in London and beyond.
Synthetics belong to the past. HIMBA emerged from a desire to craft contemporary fragrances while honoring the rich cultural heritage of yesteryear.
In contrast to the uniform scents of mass-produced brands found in department stores, this fragrance line, inspired by African heritage, is designed for individuals who wish to stand and leave a lasting impression. Baisi engaged closely with community members, collaboratively reviewing each lab sample to determine whether to refine, redevelop, or launch a product, ensuring that every fragrance was genuinely exceptional.