2024.04.18 2025.11.16

GHIBLI（Ella K Parfums）

Perfume Geek K

GHIBLI

ELLA K PARFUMS

SONIA CONSTANT

2021

Nougat Neroli Saffron

Imperial Arabian Jasmine Hawthorn Toasted Barley

Leather Tonka Bean Honey

CONCEPT

The sweetness of nougat and the floral scent of imperial jasmine combine to create a delicate fragrance that rises like a warm breeze. This subtle union is underppined by a leather note that transports us to the shops of the Maghreb on the wings of the Ghibli.

“I wanted to work on the idea of a warm wind lifting grains of sand heated by the sun and golden as honey, I worked on this burning breath, which I interpreted with solar notes of imperial Arabian Jasmine. I used powdered almonds and roasted pistachios to create the texture of warm sand, and I combined these ingredients with notes of supple leather to celebrate the wonder of the meandering, hypnotic curves of a woman’s body that you can imagine when you look at the dunes from a distance…I worked with an extravagant, extremely smooth tanned leather that melts into the skin.”
Ella K Parfums Official Website: https://www.ellakparfums.com/en/products/ghibli

THOUGHTS

Have you ever come across a fragrance by a perfumer you love, yet found yourself hesitating to try it for reasons you can’t quite explain? For me, Ghibli was exactly that. But once I finally tested it, I instantly regretted waiting so long. What emerged was a beautifully refined leather scent — unmistakably shaped by Sonia Constant’s elegant style.

Ghibli is a leather fragrance, but not one that wraps you in dense, heavy leather. It is neither rugged nor abrasive, and it isn’t suede either. Instead, it feels like exceptionally well-tanned leather: smooth, soft, and touched with a gentle sweetness. It has the suppleness I often associate with suede, yet without the nap — a polished, clean leather that glides across the skin.

The top opens with the familiar aura of an old leather shop, softened by a hint of sweetness that I attribute to the nougat note. From the very beginning, the scent is far smoother and more comforting than I had imagined, creating a surprisingly serene first impression.

In the heart, I detect a faint floral touch, paired with a subtle powderiness that evokes the image of desert sand drifting effortlessly across a quiet landscape — not a dusty scent, but a soft, airy dryness. A slight nuttiness also appears, clearly supported by the powdered almond and roasted pistachio, adding warmth and textural depth.

As the fragrance moves into its base, the leather becomes richer and more pronounced. Tonka bean and honey add a warm, velvety glow, bringing the composition together in a soft, enveloping finish.

Ghibli is a leather fragrance shaped with tenderness — smooth, warm, and quietly expressive, capturing Sonia Constant’s signature elegance in a beautifully understated way.