Scent from above: JIA finds inspiration for new Aroma Collection in Chinese mythology

When a home fragrance finds its inspiration in one of the greatest love stories in Chinese culture, it rouses curiosity.
JIA has just launched its Aroma Collection, an offering inspired by the literary narrative of Dream of the Red Chamber, one of China's four Great Classical Novels written by Cao Xueqin. Playing on the concept of how the sense of smell strengthens without the interference of a visual, the Hong Kong-based brand is creating a range of unique, minimal designs of cold air diffusers, conceived so that we focus on scent rather than ornamentals.
The Aureole Cold-Air Diffuser designed by JIA Design Team lead by Spencer Hung particularly caught our eye. Made from an elegant glass sphere, brass sheet and essential oils of your choice, the diffuser needs neither water nor heating to work. The design is as poetic as the legend that has lead to its creation. In Chinese mythology, the Goddess Nüwa, guardian of heaven and earth, built the four pillars that held up the firmament, protecting mankind from harm. The aroma represents Nüwa, who lingers between both realms, heaven and earth.
Playing on the concept of how the sense of smell strengthens without the interference of a visual, the Hong Kong-based brand is creating a range of unique, minimal designs of cold air diffusers
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
-
Meet Malak Mattar, the Palestinian artist behind the 'Together for Palestine' concert at London's Wembley Arena
The London-based artist curates a landmark concert of music and art in support of Gaza, alongside Brian Eno, James Blake, Jamie xx, Neneh Cherry and more
-
A new coffee table book proves that one designer’s trash is another’s treasure
The Rizzoli tome, launching today (16 September 2025), delves into the philosophy and process of Retrouvius, a design studio reclaiming salvaged materials in weird and wonderful ways
-
A carbon-emission-busting house, yeast-biomass building, and more ‘Designs for a Cooler Planet’
‘Designs for a Cooler Planet’ returns to Aalto University in Finland as part of the annual Helsinki design and architecture week, highlighting buildings, materials and solutions towards a better future