Josh Lee, Penang's Perfume Master

Josh Lee: Heritage Through Scent
© Josh Lee

When I think of perfumery, or the art of making perfumes, it never occurs to me that there would be a perfume maker right here in Penang. One person who is carving a name for himself in this highly specialized field is Penang's own Josh Lee.

Josh attributes his passion for fragrances to a lifelong exposure to different aromas, right from his childhood. He was an undergraduate at Universiti Pertanian Malaysia, where he studied chemistry. As France is the leading country in terms of perfumery, Josh realised that the next step in his career path lies in furthering his studies in that country. To do that means having to sit for classes in French at the Alliance Française de Penang and at UPM.

Josh took up postgraduate studies at the Institut supérieur international du parfum, de la cosmétique et de l'aromatique alimentaire (ISIPCA), in Versailles, France. This arms him with the necessary expertise in creating perfumes out of blending various natural scents.

To date Josh has created to perfumes, and is working on his third. His perfumes carry the tagline Heritage Through Scent, in keeping with his desire to integrate the fragrances from his childhood and the tropical rainforest to the modern lifestyle.

George Town by Josh Lee
© Josh Lee

The first among Josh's creations is an eau de cologne was named George Town by Josh Lee, as a tribute to his hometown. Launched in December, 2012, the 50ml bottle carries a turquoise-green liquid that reflects the colour of the sea around Penang. Its fragrance conjures a feeling of being engulfed in wonderful aroma of spices, as one negotiates the George Town waterfront.

Two years after the launch of his debut fragrance, Josh Lee follows through with OUD by Josh Lee, a unisex fragrance that captures the floral wealth of the Malaysian rainforest.

OUD by Josh Lee
© Josh Lee

Contact

Josh Lee Fragrances
56-B Siam Road
10400 George Town, Penang
Phone: +60-4-229 3579
Email: info@joshleefragrances.com
Website: www.joshleefragrances.com

Where to purchase Josh Lee Fragrances

Josh Lee Fragrances are carried by numerous outlets in Penang including MyBox at Auto City Juru, Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, China Tiger, Evergreen Laurel Hotel, I-Square Station at Gurney Plaza, Jonathan Yun Sculptural Jewelry, Khoo Kongsi Gift Shop, Lone Pine Hotel, Palanquinn Heritage Suites, Penaga Hotel, Dimensi Eksklusif Perfumes & Cosmetics at the Penang International Airport, the Pinang Peranakan Mansion, Pinang's Pinang, Glow Colors and Fragrances at Prangin Mall, Glow Colors and Fragrances at Queensbay Mall, Bran et Daguet Boutique at Straits Quay, the Suffolk House Gift Shop and at the Tropical Spice Garden Gift Shop.

List of Outstanding Penangites