Ella

Ella by Arquiste is a deeply sensual, retro floral chypre that evokes the glamour and heat of 1970s Acapulco. It opens with a bright, honeyed floral heart—jasmine and rose paired with angelica and carrot seeds—giving a surprisingly radiant and clean impression. As it settles, the scent reveals a core of musky, animalic civet, softened by ambergris, smoke, and a soft honeyed warmth that prevents it from becoming harsh. The fragrance evolves into a rich, skin-like musk with a silvery, metallic undertone, creating a sensual, almost provocative aura that lingers with moderate to strong sillage. While some find it clean and polished—suitable for elegant daytime wear—others describe it as dramatically dirty, musky, and layered with a provocative mix of animalic, floral, and subtle cigarette-like notes. The narrative of seductive mystery and retro chic persists, as the scent performs best in warm weather and night settings. Its most distinctive quality is the transformative journey: from a bright, almost fruity floral opening to a deep, sensual, and surprisingly persistent musky drydown.