Carlos Huber, born in Mexico City and settled in New York, is the creator of niche perfume line Arquiste that was launched in 2011. He is an architect, he designed interiors for luxury retail companies and turned to perfume in a bid to “recapture the olfactive notes of historical moments.”
You can read about his interesting journey in Jordan’s interview with Carlos on The Fragrant Man.
Today we want to take a closer look at the person behind the brand, away from the usual perfume talk. Let’s see what Carlos keeps on his nightstand!
A good day starts with... a good coffee, a good song, and a good splash of cologne.
I’d never leave the house without… putting perfume on.
I always feel good when… when the person I love smiles.
My favorite thing in the world is… a hug.
The next thing I want to buy is... a new swimsuit! I miss the sun!
The place I always come back to is… Mexico.
My personal style is… classic, with a twist.
My favorite perfume… is also classic, with a twist too. My current favorite is a new perfume I’ve created with perfumer Yann Vasnier.
When I travel I always… love exploring restaurants and trying the local fare.
To relax I need… an hour of jogging.
When I have a bad day… I get together with my friends, and I give them lots of hugs.
I like to gift people with… perfume of course- and books.
I find my inspiration… in history and architecture.
Something I would never want to miss… date night with my partner.
My last mistake was… embarrassing.
In my fridge there is always… champagne and hot sauces from Mexico. Strange- but they both coexist without ever coming close.
On my nightstand I keep… a Cire Trudon Merida candle.
The perfect weekend starts with… an early morning run!
My role model is… Perfumer Rodrigo Flores-Roux.
Something I always want to be asked in questionnaires like this is… What is the best thing about perfume? That it’s fun.
Photo by Kevin Tachman
Perfume is fun! So true! Thank you, Carlos for reminding us!
I cannot stand those long-winding, deadly earnest discussions about the doom and gloom that has befallen perfume and how it all goes downhill from here. Yes, I know the situation is dire, but there are so many great lines out there and so many people honestly caring for perfume and creating fabulous stuff despite all restrictions and regulations. We just have to go looking for them. Carlos Huber has created such a line with Arquiste.
Be sure to come back tomorrow for Tara’s mini-reviews of her favorite Arquiste perfumes.
What is your favorite?
Olfactoria's Travels 
Wonderful to see Mr Huber featured today. His perfumes are great. My favorites are Flor y Canto and Boutanniere No 7.
Flor y canto is such a beauty! It suits you wonderfully.
Anima Dulcis – but I don’t know much from the line. Now, Sr.Huber seems to be a very nice Gentleman, and that makes me curious about Arquiste. He’s the best advertisement for his own brand, obviously, And I want a hug from him, or two, please !
That is my favorite too! I’ll go for that hug as well, if you don’t mind… 🙂
What a great coincidence, I am wearing Anima Dulcis today! Mr. Huber seems like a really great guy and I can’t wait to sniff his newest creation!
Ah, you smell gorgeous!
Anima Dulcis; it makes me feel warm, and Boutonnière No: 7 for the opera.
All that running! Whew.
Alas my Mérida is all gone except for the beautiful vessel – a wondrous scent and quite unique.
What a Renaissance Man this man is.
A great way to put it, Carlos is a fascinating man.
I met Carlos Huber when he introduced his line at Bloom perfumery in London and then bumped into him (not like that) at his stall at Fenwicks. He really is most charming and enthusiastic and I have no problem to believe that perfume is a lot of fun for him. My favourite Arquists are Aleksandr and Boutonniere.
You are a lucky woman! Meeting him twice… 🙂
I’m trying to limit my new purchases to one or two a year, and had promised myself an Arquiste for 2014. Only trouble is… I can’t decide which, I ike all of them (wouldn’t a set of travel sizes be great?). So I will watch this discussion with interest, to see everybody’s favorites. He seems like such a lovely guy, I’m joining the queue for a hug!
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I couldn’t agree more about the necessity of a travel set, that would be wonderful! It is always a good sign for a line if all the perfumes are so good you have a hard time choosing.
Jogging for an hour to relax?!? Obviously I’m not a runner. I’ll just take a hug like everyone else.
I haven’t tried enough of the line but I do like Anima Dulcis.
I know! I’m very obviously not a runner either. Uff.
I haven’t sampled this line yet but it’s high on the list. It’s refreshing to see blogs and perfumers that agree that perfume is fun!
It is and it should be. There is enough seriousness and drama in the world.
Boutonniere is the only one I have tried, and I liked it a lot. I have recently started going for long walks, but Mr Huber has inspired me to get jogging again too!
Really? Are you alright? I’m worried…
It will probably pass…;)
I only own a handful (okay, 30 bottles) fragrances in my wardrobe, but proudly count Boutonniere #7 & Flor Y Canto among them. I find florals hard to mesh/meld with (and I’ve tried many), until I fell hard for Boutonniere #7 after a blind buy (bad boy!) having simply read the reviews. Such a beautiful twist on gardenia, which I initially kept confusing with jasmine (until I read about its use of sp. Gardenia jasminoides- duh!) Speaking of classic with a twist, I humbly ask that Carlos consider an “amber with a twist” for its future creation- I don’t think I’m only speaking for myself here when it comes to an amber obsession [wink at B.]
I’m glad you found your perfect floral in the Arquiste line.
As for the amber idea, I can only hope with you that it comes true one day! 🙂
My favorites are Anima Dulcis and Alexandre, I own FB of both. I like Infanta en Flor as well, and just got a sample of Flor y Canto, eager to try it properly 🙂
Anima Dulcis seems to be the firm favorite here today, no wonder it is great! Enjoy Flor y canto!
My favorite Arquistes are Infanta en Flor and Fleur de Louis.
Anima Dulcis is amazing, but it doesn’t work too well for me.
I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Carlos in person. His charm and warmth shine through in this feature.
You lucky woman! He seems like such a nice and approachable guy.
It was fun to get to know Carlos better. 🙂 And yes, I agree, perfume is fun.
My favorite Arquiste is Anima Dulcis. I just love that one.
Another Anima Dulcis fan! We need a bottle, Ines! 🙂
Oh, yes we do! 😉
I’m very, very fond of Arquiste and it’s wonderful to see Carlos Huber here in the People in Perfumeland series! And I literally mean “see” 🙂
Ha, me too! 😀