Carlos Huber
Carlos Huber, the architect behind Arquiste fragrances, reveals his greatest pleasures.
1. HISTORIC HOUSES AND PALACE MUSEUMS I love the history of places like Ham House [ pictured], near London; Italian villas and palaces; French chateaux and Mexican colonial houses. 2. WHITE FLOWERS Big, dramatic magnolia, beachy frangipani and waxy tuberose. My number one [ pictured] is jungly, crisp gardenia. 3. THE ART DECO VELVET CANDLE This is my favourite of the candles I’ve created so far. The idea was to evoke a spilled martini on a velvet banquette. It envelops you in a subtle, soft cloud of tobacco and vanilla. 4. THE WORK OF CUBAN ARTIST LESLIE SARDINIAS His paintings are beautiful, and his creative process is always interesting. It’s all about layers of materials, paint and concepts. 5. JAPANESE FOOD From katsu curry and ramen to the subtlety of sushi and sashimi, I adore everything about it. I could eat it every day. 6. BLACK AND WHITE WEDGWOOD Whenever I find a piece in good condition, I buy it. The neoclassical reliefs set against matte black look very smart and almost minimal in a crisp interior. 7. 17TH-CENTURY PORTRAITURE From Poussin to Caravaggio, Peter Lely to Velázquez, I especially notice the different fashions and styles from country to country. 8. ITALIAN RATIONALIST ARCHITECTURE This style really guides my own aesthetic. It has such beautiful attention to detail and materials, and the minimal, poetic spaces are arresting, especially in the way they contrast with touches of classical sculpture. 9. FRIENDS Because I’m constantly travelling, and having lived away from my hometown of Mexico City for almost 13 years, maintaining connections is important to me. When I visit my friends at home, it’s as if time hasn’t passed. And my friends in New York have become like family. 10. SUMMER WEEKENDS IN NYC I love all the plans that pop up with friends: trips to the beach, fun dance parties like Mister Sunday in Brooklyn, and just great energy. New Yorkers really let their hair down when the heat strikes. It’s the best way to cope! VL Visit arquiste.com.