Our Chemist/ Perfumer/ Founder Bio

A quick scent of our story

Alexandria began as one chemist’s determination to make niche-grade perfume attainable. What started in a tiny Cairo workshop is now a cross-continental house with loyal fans from Anaheim to Aberdeen—and the UK team sits at its heart. AlexandriaUK

1 The Visionary Chemist – Hany Hafez

Born in Cairo, Hany grew up surrounded by the city’s souks, where natural oils and resins infused the air. After informal apprenticeships with local attar sellers and years helping other fragrance start-ups, he founded Alexandria Fragrances in 2017.

• Role: Master Perfumer & Chief Chemist

• Signature: High-concentration extrait formulas engineered for 8-hour longevity

• Philosophy: “Luxury shouldn’t be locked behind a price tag—quality should.”

• Lab leadership: Oversees raw-material vetting, IFRA compliance and every small-batch maceration run.

2 The UK Bridge – Dave Wrench

Long-time fragrance collector Dave Wrench discovered Alexandria’s U.S. line while hunting for alternatives to his Roja and Henry Jacques favourites. Sensing British demand for “accessible niche,” he partnered with Hany and incorporated Alexandria Fragrances Ltd in May 2019.

Role: Co-Founder & Managing Director (UK)

• Background: Retail operations & supply-chain specialist, based in Wiltshire

• Mission: Local fulfilment at UK-friendly prices, next-day dispatch, and pop-up testing events across London, Manchester and Glasgow.