No.14 Icila: The Perfect Last-Minute Valentine’s Gift for Niche Fragrance Lovers
If your Valentine has a taste for niche perfumes—the kind that don’t come in a duty-free set or dominate every department store—then Maison Louis Marie’s No.14 Icila is a find worth knowing about. A warm floral scent that doesn’t just sit pretty but unfolds like a slow-burning story, Icila is the latest creation from a brand that’s quietly built a cult following among those who take their scents seriously.
Maison Louis Marie isn’t a newcomer chasing trends. The brand’s roots go all the way back to 1792, when French botanist Louis Marie Aubert du Petit Thouars spent his exile in Madagascar obsessively cataloging exotic plants. Centuries later, his descendant, Marie du Petit Thouars, turned that botanical legacy into something deeply personal—a collection of perfumes that marry old-world craftsmanship with clean beauty ideals. This isn’t just another indie fragrance brand; it’s one that walks the line between tradition and innovation, creating scents that feel both classic and completely of the moment.
So, what makes No.14 Icila special? It’s not your typical “warm floral.” The opening has a sharp brightness—Ruby Pamplemousse and Mandarin Leaf give it a citrusy lift, softened by Jasmine. But the heart of the scent is where it gets interesting. A deep, almost juicy Dark Plum and a rich, velvety Bulgarian Rose give it a sensuality that’s more grown-up than girly, more intriguing than obvious. And then comes the dry-down—Vanilla Flower, Patchouli, and Sakura Blossom, all coming together in a way that leaves a trace of something soft, but unmistakably confident.
Fragrance lovers online have called it “a more playful take on Chanel Coco Mademoiselle”, thanks to the way it balances sophistication with something a little unexpected and modern. Others say it’s a date-night scent that doesn’t scream but lingers just enough to be noticed—the kind of perfume you wear when you want to leave an impression, but effortlessly.
Beyond Icila, Maison Louis Marie offers an entire range of scents, covering earthy & woody, floral, fresh, and warm & spicy families—so if florals aren’t your thing, there’s more to explore. The brand also crafts luxury candles and home fragrances, meaning your gift can extend beyond perfume into something even more immersive.
And if clean beauty matters to your Valentine, this is a brand that delivers. No endocrine disruptors, no toxic synthetics, no animal testing—just carefully composed fragrances with sustainability in mind. Maison Louis Marie is also a proud member of 1% for the Planet, meaning part of every purchase goes toward environmental causes.
A last-minute Valentine’s gift? Sure. But one that feels thoughtful, sophisticated, and entirely original. No.14 Icila is available now in the UK at maisonlouismarie.com.
Elena Leo is the Arts & Lifestyle Editor of Ikon London Magazine.