“A beautiful scent is like a beautiful memory, it transports us to another place in time.”
– Carlos Huber
A scent is a time capsule. It can invoke our most intimate memories and dreams, and open doors to distant worlds. Curated by Carlos Huber, an architect specializing in Historic Preservation, Arquiste is a fragrance collection that transports the wearer to evocative moments in history. Last week, I had the honour to meet the very handsome and charming Carlos himself.
Carlos Huber with me
Mexican-born Carlos Huber (his last name derives from his Swiss-German ancestors) looks like a model from a Ralph Lauren advertising campaign. But instead of modeling, Huber was involved in the preservation of Ralph Lauren stores that held historical significance such as their famous flagship on Madison Avenue where Carlos, an architect by trade, was in charge for the high jewelry room along and for the accessories department. He is so passionate about history and told me that he loves to indulge in old books describing himself as a “nerd”. I like this new species of well-dressed, good-looking nerds!
As fate willed, he started to pursue his longtime love of fragrance by taking special classes about the art of perfumery with two top Givaudan perfumers, Rodrigo Flores Roux and Yann Vasnier, who happened to be Huber’s friends. With their help, he created a range of six perfumes and launched Arquiste Parfumeur last year. With an immaculate attention to detail, each of his complex scents aims to evoke the olfactive notes of a specific moment in history.
Have you ever wondered how the most fragrant festival in the Aztec calendar in 1400 smelled like? What about the moment when Louis XIV saw his future wife Maria Teresa, the Infanta of Spain, for the first time? Thanks to Arquiste, you can time-travel with each spritz. Read all those little stories. Your fantasy will take you on a beautiful olfactive journey.
FLOR Y CANTO
Notes include: Mexican Tuberose, Magnolia, Plumeria and Marigold
Developed with Rodrigo Flores Roux
L’ETROG
Notes include: Calabrese Cedrat, Myrtle, Date Fruit and Vetivert
Developed with Rodrigo Flores Roux & Yann Vasnier
FLEUR DE LOUIS
Notes include: Orange Blossom, Florentine Orris, Jasmine and White Cedar Wood
Developed with Rodrigo Flores Roux
INFANTA EN FLOR
Notes include: Orange Flower Water, Spanish Leather, Citrus Resin and Immortelle
Developed with Yann Vasnier
ANIMA DULCIS
Notes include: Cocoa Absolute, Mexican Vanille, Cinnamon and Chili Infusion
Developed with Rodrigo Flores Roux & Yann Vasnier
ALEKSANDR
Notes include: Neroli, Violet Leaf, Fir Balsam and Russian Leather
Developed with Yann Vasnier
The success of Arquiste is incredible. In only six months, those extraordinary fragrances have found many fans around the globe. Arquiste – Fragrances that transport you to another place in time, for men and women. My favourite is the opulent floral scent “flor y canto”.
In Switzerland available at Osswald. For other stores worldwide, please click here.
LoL, Sandra
Photos: Courtesy of Arquiste and © Sandra Bauknecht
