Founded by Mexican-born architect, restoration expert and fragrance designer Carlos Huber, ARQUISTE Parfumeur is a scent collection that transports you to evocative moments and historical sites. The name is a combination of words arquitectura (architecture) and artiste (artist), signifying the driving influence and inspiration behind the collection.
“As abstract and evanescent as a perfume can be, in our minds it is always tied to a concrete time and place. With each of our scents, I want to guide you through a journey.”
— Carlos Huber, founder
Each scent restores a particular olfactive experience by using rare ingredients identified through meticulous research. Interpreted with master perfumers, this background translates stories, landscapes and architecture into top, heart, and base notes. Using high quality, sustainable and responsibly sourced materials, the ARQUISTE scent collection allows you to unlock personal revelations and experience history in a most intimate way.
An olfactive reconstruction of 17th century Viceregal Mexico: the mineral notes of terra cotta tile floors and stucco walls, the wooden beams and gilded altars give way to a heart of of spiced cacao. In the background, the incense from the church mixes with the kitchen spices, creating an evocative Baroque concoction between heaven and earth. Notes include: Cocoa absolute, Mexican vanilla, cinnamon, and a smoked chili infusion.
A realistic gardenia scent that can be worn by everyone, recreating the scent of boutonnières and French colognes wafting through the Belle Époque foyer of the Opéra Comique in Paris in 1899. Known as the “Opera Flower” the gardenia was the choice bloom for black tie during the Belle Époque, worn by dandies and beloved by their admirers. Our composition features notes of: Lavender, bergamot, Italian mandarin, gardenia jasminoides/gardenia citriodora duo, genet absolute, vetiver and oakmoss.
Evoking the traditional smoking of tea leaves in ancient China, Indigo Smoke is an aromatic landscape of narrow serpentine rivers, blue mountains and incense-filled temples condensed into a complex formula of black tea, woody notes and incense. Rich, realistic and long-lasting. With notes of lapsang souchong tea, mandarin orange, apricot, guaiac wood, incense and pine tar.
Inspired by the 19th century courtesans and bohemians that embraced the scent of patchouli, Misfit won the Fragrance Foundation 2021 Award for Best Independent Perfume. A scent balanced between regal and rebel, where cashmere-like ambery notes smooth out the carnal earthiness associated with patchouli and counter-culture. In Misfit what was once decadent is now made addictively desirable. With main notes of: French lavender, ambrette seed absolute, patchouli, Venezuelan tonka bean and tolu balsam.
An intoxicating incense and leather scent based on the ancient commercial trade between Asia, Europe and the Americas, with a spicy, sensual opening and a lush, robust incense base. Inspired by a 1618 voyage uniting East and West, Nanban is transports you to the dark hull of a galleon full of exotic cargo. With notes of: Malabar black pepper, Persian saffron, Chinese osmanthus, coffee absolute, Spanish leather, myrrh, frankincense, sandalwood and cade.
The nape of the neck, the idealised scent at a lover and a lost embrace. Peau is based on Roman Emperor Hadrian’s memories of Antinoös, his lost lover. To evoke the contours of his idealised body, salty, peppery and musky notes blend in to evoke intimacy, life and the idealised memory of skin. With main notes of: Ambergris, clean musk accord, clary sage, white pepper from India, labdanum derivatives and okoume wood from Gabon.
Ever noticed how good your skin smells after a day at the beach? The warmth of the sun, the saltiness from the sea, the faint tropical creaminess from the sunscreen. Sydney Rock Pool is a mineral, ambery and subtly tropical scent evoking a perfect day at the incredible Sydney beaches. With notes of: Australian sandalwood, coconut skin accord, driftwood note, frangipani, seaweed, ambermax and sea salt.
Transporting you to 1930’s London, inside a cozy martini and cigar bar of velvet banquettes and fine Art Deco marquetry. Where blond tobacco and smoky vanilla mix with the crisp herbal notes of a gin martini. The Architects Club is a comforting, smoky vanilla with an amber woody base and a cool gin opening. Notes include: juniper berry oil, angelica root, lemon peel oil, pepper wood, guaiac wood, oak wood, vanilla absolute and amber.
Drawn to Mexico’s architecture and history, and a passionate traveler since young, Carlos Huber first pursued the study of architecture and historic preservation at prestigious universities in his hometown of Mexico City, in Paris and New York, where he graduated with honors in Historic Preservation at Columbia University. His diverse experience includes meticulous residential and commercial projects as well as art installations concerned with the interpretation of historic sites.
Turning to his longtime love of fragrance, Huber was mentored by master perfumer Rodrigo Flores-Roux, studying perfume history, evaluation and fragrance development. Bridging the worlds of architectural and perfume history through the lens of restoration led him to collaborate with Flores-Roux and perfumer Yann Vasnier to create ARQUISTE, developing scents that restore authentic historical experiences.
ARQUISTE has garnered awards from organisations like the Fragrance Foundation and Fashion Group International as well as international media, establishing Huber as a fragrance designer dedicated to meticulous storytelling, authenticity and sustainability. By the hand of perfumers like Flores-Roux, Vasnier and Calice Becker, ARQUISTE’s creations are rich, transportive and layered.
