Kismet Olfactive Nostalgia Candle

Nostalgia unfurls in layers across the room, blending luxurious suede and warm saffron with a touch of leather that feels plush and inviting—more like the memory of a favorite jacket than anything sharp or untamed.

Hints of Rose de mai and earthy nagarmotha weave through the middle, soft as ancient hillside flowers swaying against a Mediterranean sky. With the first flicker, a gentle whisper of anise rises, calling back to afternoons spent savoring herbal pastis in the heart of Grasse.

This candle glows with a harmony of leather, creamy sweetness, and a smooth, musky undertone. As the hours pass, smoky and spicy hints appear, grounding the experience in comfort and curiosity.

Nostalgia is a richly layered creation—a cozy companion that feels both familiar and quietly bold, leaving traces of creamy suede, subtle sweetness, and delicate rose in the air.

Kismet Olfactive is a New York City-based independent fragrance studio founded by bohemian-perfumer Shabnam Tavakol.

Born and raised in California, Shabnam—Farsi for “morning dew”—is the daughter of Iranian-immigrant parents who escaped the violent 1979 Revolution in Iran, relocating to the U.S. by way of hard-won efforts and a string of good fortune.

Recognizing this fortuitous past, Kismet—from the Persian qismat, meaning “fate,” or, “what is meant to be”—translates the serendipitous moments that make up our lives into wearable scents.

Kismet fragrances are made by hand in small batches, are unfiltered, and contain a high concentration of natural raw materials—therefore, some cloudiness or sediment may occur.