ELLA K
CAMELIA K
2023
PERFUMER
Sonia Constant
Pitahaya
Blood Orange
Ginger
Camellia
Jasmine
Orange Blossom
Bulgarian Rose
Tuberose
Tonka Bean
Vanilla
Patchouli
‘The camellia nestling on my back is brushed by your fleeting touch, as my hand seeks solace in yours. One by one, the reddish petals inflame my every tissue and blush my cheeks. My whole being, transported by their transient touch, is liberated for you. My soul takes leave and is suspended above our all-consuming love. The mellifluous marriage of ginger, dragon fruit and mandarin invites us to cross the threshold into a voluptuous paradise. This creation is a poetic summons to desire, wrapped in the sensuality of vanilla, vetiver and patchouli, emerging from an intense bouquet of orange blossom, red camellia and sambac jasmine.’ – Ella K
Ella K has been one of my favorite brands, albeit it that I find a good chunk of their line-up best suited for women, which is definitely the case with Camelia K.
I find the opening of the fragrance to be rather interesting, with the strong citrus burst. I had to Google pitahaya, but apparently it’s a dragonfruit. Either way, the fruits combined make for a somewhat bitter, but juicy opening.
The florals start blossoming as the wear progresses and I can’t say that I love the direction of this fragrance. That means to say, that I wouldn’t love wearing Camelia K myself, not that there’s anything wrong with the scent. A thing I always comment on in the Ella K fragrances is this real sense of vibrancy and openness in the ingredients used, but aside from the opening, Camelia K feels a bit more dated, powdery at times, perhaps from the tonka-patchouli base.
It’s been compared to Givenchy L’Interdit, which I don’t know well-enough to speak on, but the style does remind me of certain designer releases; perhaps in the broad direction of Viktor & Rolf Good Fortune, which was released the year prior. Camelia K doesn’t have the cloying sweetness of many designers and the florals feel more mature and have a greener tinge. It’s a relatively happy-go-lucky scent profile, with some citrussy fruitiness throughout, but at the same time, I think my grandmother could wear this too.
Camelia K has a beauty to it that will appeal to many, but it won’t be among my favorites from the brand (like Melodie D’Altai, Ghibli or Poeme de Sagano for example).