Rook Perfumes

Artists and artisans are being erased in the name of political neutrality but is it neutrality or selectivity?

I was erased from a candle for being "Pro Palestine" whilst Lalique continue to sell the work of a Zionist artist. As an anti Zionist I find this very political.

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Here is the original candle imagery with my name on the top of the box and featured in the description. I saw this in January when the candle was launched online - Guy Oliver then informed me this was a mistake and the imagery and wording was updated.

I have since been contacted by people who purchased or were gifted the candle event which I wasn't even invited to. This version already had my identity removed and went on sale in November without my knowledge, without a sample, without recognition, without an NDA and most of all WITHOUT TRUTH. All because I support Palestine.

They want all of the heritage without the "politics." I am so disgusted.

THE TRUTH BEHIND THE ERASURE 🕯️🚫

Think "political" advocacy is the reason for exclusion? Think again. The paper trail reveals a calculated effort to silence an Arab voice.

THE LIES

The "Nervous Courtiers" Myth: Guy Oliver (Oliver Laws) claimed the King’s team was uneasy about an NHS lawsuit.

The Coffee Shop Tactic: Meetings were kept to cafes to avoid written records; he even asked, "Are you recording this?"

The Gaslighting: I was told it had "nothing to do with Palestine."

THE REALITY

The Lalique Factor: Internal emails confirm it wasn't the TMF—it was Lalique.

The Double Standard: Lalique labeled Palestine advocacy "too political" for a charity project, all while celebrating the work of Zionist creators.

Erasure isn't an accident—it’s a choice.

Exposing the Truth: The Erasure of an Arab Perfumer

The Narrative vs. The Reality

For months, the exclusion of an Arab perfumer from the Turquoise Mountain Foundation (TMF) charity candle project was blamed on "bureaucratic nerves." Interior designer Guy Oliver (Oliver Laws) claimed the King’s courtiers were uneasy because of a legal dispute with the NHS—a public body—and insisted it had "nothing to do with Palestine."

But the emails tell a different story.

The Strategy of Silencing

Coffee Shop Diplomacy: Meetings were intentionally held in informal settings like coffee shops to avoid a paper trail.

Deflection & Gaslighting: During these meetings, Guy Oliver questioned if he was being recorded while pushing the narrative that TMF's leadership was the hurdle.

The Real Reason: Internal communications reveal the decision-maker was actually Frederic Fischer of Lalique. He labeled the perfumer’s human rights advocacy as "too political" for the project despite the project itself benefiting a charity that supports Palestinian communities.

The Double Standard

Lalique continues to celebrate and promote the work of Zionist designers while simultaneously erasing an Arab creator for their advocacy. They chose commercial gain and selective representation over the very principles of the charity project they were supposed to be supporting.

Transparency matters. We cannot allow "political" labels to be used as a tool for the erasure of Arab voices and Palestinian advocacy.

ERASED FOR ADVOCATING FOR PALESTINE. 🇵🇸

​For over two years, I poured my technical expertise, money, and time into creating the fragrance for Lalique’s Turquoise Mountain Candle—a royal charity project meant to celebrate my Jordanian heritage and support Palestinian artisans.

​My name was meant to be front and centre. I developed the formula, sourced the materials, and navigated the complex chemistry to make this candle a reality.

​But just before the launch, Lalique completely erased my name from the packaging and marketing. No consultation. No real explanation.
​Why?

Thanks to an internal email disclosed by their own legal team, I now have the truth in black and white. Lalique’s Managing Director wrote that because I am “officially campaigning for Palestine,” they had to remove me because the brand “CANNOT be politically involved in our products.”

​The Hypocrisy:
Lalique claims "political neutrality" to silence a Palestine advocate, yet they proudly promote their named collaboration with an architect who publicly describes her practice as a Zionist mission for the Israeli state.
​Political neutrality? No. That is explicit discrimination based on which side of human rights you stand on.

​The Aftermath:
Lalique launched the candle anonymously, and it tanked. Now, they are sitting on over 1,600 unsold candles containing my intellectual property and my exact fragrance formula—using my work without a fair settlement, credit, or agreement
​I tried to resolve this fairly and privately. They refused to engage. So, I am making it public.
​Please read the full press release and see the leaked email at the link in my bio. Please share this post. It’s time to hold luxury brands accountable for their asymmetric double standards. ⚖️

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I have an important story to tell you all about a candle I designed for in collaboration with for a new room at the hotel to raise money for a charity that amongst other things supports Palestinian refugees.

A story of how my name was dropped from the product when the manager of Lalique found out I was advocating for Palestine.

They lied. They denied. They offered me a pittance for the hours of work and dropped me with their "Royal" explanation. More on that later.

Best of all. I HAVE RECEIPTS. I promise I won't make you wait too long.