Mau Waxed Perfume

Mau Waxed Perfume

Mau Waxed Perfume is an innovative Japanese-oriented fragrance design that reimagines traditional perfumery through a unique solid-state formulation and culturally resonant packaging. This sophisticated personal fragrance product, designed by Moe Nakagawa between 2016 and 2019, represents a thoughtful convergence of traditional Japanese aesthetics and contemporary perfume design principles. The product's distinctive composition combines essential oils with jojoba oil in a wax base, creating a gentler olfactory experience compared to conventional alcohol-based perfumes. The design's physical form, measuring 14 millimeters in diameter and 77 millimeters in height, is encased in washi, traditional Japanese paper, which serves both functional and aesthetic purposes. The packaging design employs delicate watercolor elements to visually communicate the product's central theme of ethereal lightness, inspired by the Japanese concept of 'mau' (dancing like floating). This innovative approach to perfume packaging earned recognition with a Silver A' Design Award in the Packaging Design category, acknowledging its contribution to sustainable design practices through its plastic-free construction and cultural significance. The product addresses a specific market need by catering to consumers who find traditional alcohol-based perfumes overwhelming, offering a more subtle and controlled fragrance release through its solid formulation. The design's emphasis on traditional materials and techniques, combined with its modern functionality, exemplifies a sophisticated blend of cultural heritage and contemporary design sensibilities.

perfume design, Japanese aesthetics, washi packaging, sustainable fragrance, solid perfume, cultural design

— Adam Dawson

CITATION : "Adam Dawson. 'Mau Waxed Perfume.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/define/mau-waxed-perfume?E=453097 (Accessed on October 14, 2026)"