Glade’s ‘Make Africa Bloom’ event, held at Langham’s Lifestyle Estate, was a fragrant celebration. The night saw the unveiling of Grade’s latest innovations, including a new concentrated fabric softener range, limited edition African-inspired mists and aerosols, and an elegant reed diffuser. These were showcased alongside the Scents of Africa collection and fashion-forward design challenges, paying homage to women who inspire, create and blossom.
The experience immersed guests in a sensory journey that blended fragrance, fashion and empowerment, celebrating the unique stories of women across the continent while unveiling Glade’s latest innovations.
The evening was hosted by the brilliant Frisani Ravelle. His connection to Glade began during a personal sabbatical, a time of reflection and rediscovery. Embracing that chapter, she returned as the perfect host for the celebration, encouraging guests to embrace their own journeys. Her warmth, humor, and storytelling set the tone for an evening filled with music, performance, and fun connections.
African scent trigger collection
Guests were introduced to Glade’s Scents of Africa trigger mist collection, created in collaboration with three inspirational women who are making a difference in Africa in their respective fields. Represented by Liesl Laurie Montbegni, African Violet combines top notes of fig fruit, fig tree leaf, apple, and citrus with a heart of red fruit, floral, and blackberry, and a base of wood, sandalwood, vanilla, and amber. Inspired by the gentle elegance of African violets and the nurturing sweetness of figs, this fragrance celebrates the serenity, grace, and quiet strength of Africa.
Featuring Mpoumi Red Waba, Serengeti Oud opens with sweetened boiled sugar, citrus, and pepper, followed by a heart of rose, ionone, orris, and tonka, and a base of amber, vanilla, cedarwood, and sandalwood. Harnessing the warmth of the African savannah and the rich traditions of its homeland, it evokes the comfort, cultural richness and elegance of the sun-kissed Serengeti plains.
Represented by Natasha Joubert Vermaak, Zambezi Sunset features top notes of spicy, coconut, violet and freesia, a heart of jasmine, sandalwood, cedarwood and patchouli, and a base of amber, cyste, labdanum, vanilla and tonka bean. Inspired by Africa’s golden sunsets and the flowing waters of the Zambezi River, this fragrance reflects cherished memories, the continent’s vibrant landscapes and the calmness of the end of the day.
Each ambassador shared a personal story behind their fragrance, bringing the scents to life and highlighting the connections between memory, culture and Africa’s richness.
Liesl Laurie Montbeni was inspired by her grandmother, whose strength and grace shaped her upbringing. “This scent reminded me of her resilience and the freshness of her childhood memories,” she recalled, adding that she didn’t have to do that because her grandmother and mother were strong.
For Mpoumi Ledwaba, Serengeti Oud evoked a feeling of warmth and comfort like home. “I remember my mother baking scones and doing her best to create a warm and loving atmosphere in our home,” she said, explaining how she now brings that same spirit into her own home.
Natasha Joubert-Vermaak has revealed that she has a deep personal connection to Zambezi Sunset. “My husband proposed at sunset and we recently had a maternity shoot at sunset. This scent captures those magical moments and holds a special place in my heart.”
Concentrated fabric softener showcase
Glade expands into new territory with the launch of its premium concentrated fabric softener range featuring Serenity Bloom, Delicate Touch, Cashmere Gold and Paradise Blue. Four local designers were challenged to interpret their fragrances into couture fashion pieces for the Glade Design Challenge, an initiative that allows aspiring female designers to reimagine fashion using fragrance as inspiration. Prize money and production support cost R100,000.
The runway was buzzing with creativity as each designer expressed her scent through fabric, texture, and color. The fashion showcase came to a spectacular finale, fusing fragrance and style in a celebration of both innovation and artistry.
Additional highlights
Guests also experienced Glade’s limited edition Cape Coastal Fresh collection and elegant new reed diffusers, created to enhance your daily life with luxurious and uplifting scents. every
Elements of the evening, from décor to entertainment, reflect Glade’s commitment to blending luxury and purpose.
celebration of empowerment
More than just a launch, the event was positioned as a tribute to African creativity, resilience and self-expression. Through fragrance, fashion and storytelling, Glade’s ‘Blooming Africa’ experience highlighted the power of women to inspire, innovate and blossom at every stage of life.
As the night drew to a close, a beautiful message remained. “When women bloom, Africa blooms, too.”


