Swiss Arabian
Swiss Arabian Ishq Eau de Parfum
An intense aromatic spicy fragrance of black pepper, saffron, Turkish rose and leather, built for wearers who like bold, spice-led scents.
Swiss Arabian Ishq Eau de Parfum is an aromatic spicy unisex fragrance built around black pepper, saffron and Turkish rose over a leather-cypriol base, created by perfumer Miroslav Petkov.
What does Ishq smell like?
Ishq opens with an intense burst of black pepper and saffron, a sharp, spicy start that sets a bold tone. The heart brings sage, carnation and Turkish rose together, a warm floral-herbal core that softens the pepper without losing its edge. It closes on leather and cypriol oil (also called nagarmotha), giving the drydown an earthy, slightly smoky character.
- Top notes: Black Pepper, Saffron
- Heart notes: Sage, Carnation, Turkish Rose
- Base notes: Leather, Cypriol Oil (Nagarmotha)
Performance and when to wear it
Ishq is typically long-lasting on skin, with the leather and cypriol base carrying the spicy character well into the evening. Its intensity suits cooler months and evening occasions in South Africa rather than a light summer day, since the pepper and saffron opening is deliberately strong. One or two sprays is enough to make an impression.
Who is it for?
Ishq suits wearers who want an intense, spicy oriental with real presence rather than something soft or fleeting. Its name means love in Urdu and Arabic, and the fragrance itself is built to match that intensity, making it a good pick for anyone confident in bold, spice-forward scents.
At a glance
Ishq by Swiss Arabian — Fresh – Aromatic Spicy. Launched 2020. Created by Miroslav Petkov. Price in South Africa: R700. Best for: morning commute, weekend brunch, black tie evening, garden party.
- Scent profile
- Fresh – Aromatic Spicy
- Launched
- 2020
- Perfumer
- Miroslav Petkov
- Price in South Africa
- R700
- Gender
- Unisex
- Best for
- Morning Commute, Weekend Brunch, Black Tie Evening, Garden Party
Main Accords
Fragrance Pyramid
How this scent unfolds on your skin
Community Opinions
Wear It When
Morning Commute
“A spritz before you leave — fresh enough to wake you up, polished enough for the boardroom.”
Weekend Brunch
“Sun-dappled café tables, iced lattes, and effortless charm.”
Black Tie Evening
“When the invitation says formal — this is what you reach for.”
Garden Party
“Blooming hedgerows, pastel dresses, and sunlight warming bare shoulders.”
Drag the knobs to explore
This Scent Is For
Crisp & invigorating — thrives in warmer months.
Scent Mood
Peak season: ☀️ Summer (80%)
Spr
Sum
Aut
Win
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Layer It With
Curated scent pairings to build a signature from Ishq. Each combination is vetted by perfumers, editors, and community.
The winter weight for summer signatures.
Adds chestnut-vanilla warmth and smoke to lighter scents — converts a daytime signature into something evening-ready in cold weather.
Layering Tip
Spray the heavier scent first, then the lighter one on top. Start with two scents — more than three quickly becomes muddled. Always test on skin first.
How to Layer Ishq
Combine Ishq with these partners to create something new. Spray the heavier scent first, let it settle, then add the accent on top. These are note-based suggestions — a great starting point to experiment with.
Layer Ishq with
Swiss Arabian Areej Al SheilaHow: 3-4 sprays of Swiss Arabian Ishq on chest and clothing as the base, then 1-2 sprays of Swiss Arabian Areej Al Sheila on the neck and wrists to lift the top.
Result: Areej Al Sheila shares black pepper, leather, saffron with Ishq, so the pairing deepens the dry-down without fighting for attention.
Layer Ishq with
Lattafa Badee Al Oud Honor & Glory
How: 3-4 sprays of Swiss Arabian Ishq on chest and clothing as the base, then 1-2 sprays of Lattafa Badee Al Oud Honor & Glory on the neck and wrists to lift the top.
Result: Deep ambery oud builds on Ishq's base, giving it more sweetness and projection for evening wear.
AI Review Summary
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