Welcome to Elevated Classics, my corner of the world devoted to the art of living beautifully through fashion, fragrance, and culture.
I’m Hulya Aksu, the founder and editor of Elevated Classics. I began my career in the 1990s and spent decades in publishing before retiring from my role as a magazine publisher in 2020. My background in film and storytelling shaped how I see the world: through images, emotion, and meaning. My work has always explored how beauty connects to culture and how elegance is expressed through intention and detail.
My Perspective
I created Elevated Classics to redefine sophistication for women who have grown beyond trends. Turning 52 was not an ending but a beginning. It became a moment to look at beauty as knowledge, experience, and confidence. I see aging as an evolution of style and taste.
What I Write About
This isn’t a review site. It’s a space for reflection, history, and commentary on how perfume and fashion shape identity and expression.
Here, you’ll find:
- Essays on the history and craftsmanship of perfumery
- Conversations with perfumers, founders, and creative directors
- Observations on style, ritual, and self-expression
- Thoughts on elegance, aging, and authenticity
My Philosophy
To live beautifully is to live with awareness. I believe in knowing the story behind what I wear and the people who create it. Elevated Classics is my way of exploring those connections and sharing them with readers who value substance as much as style.
My Fragrance Profile
Perfume is my favorite form of storytelling. I wear it everywhere, but bedtime is my favorite time of all. I’m drawn to feminine perfumes that feel soft yet full of presence. I love florals, especially when they’re indolic and a little intoxicating, but I also reach for fruity florals, aldehydic perfumes, musks, warm ambers and have a very wide range. There have only been a hand of perfumes that I have turned away as terrible. I love perfume.
I have a deep appreciation for classic French perfumery and balanced compositions that reveal emotion without heaviness. I even enjoy some men’s fragrances when they feel textured or poetic. I like designer perfumes just as much as niche ones, I’m not elitist about scent. I believe beauty should be accessible.
That said, I refuse to buy perfumes that are priced beyond reason. I’ll admit, I have FOMO and occasionally fall for the hype, but I’ve learned that true artistry doesn’t always come with a luxury price tag. I love watching perfume videos and reading reviews, especially from seasoned voices who speak from experience rather than trends.
I can’t stand acidic or dry perfumes. If it smells like gasoline, nail polish remover, or anything overly synthetic, I’ll hate it. I stay away from animalic or “poopy” notes, and I rarely enjoy perfumes that are overly sweet, spicy, or oudy.
I care more about how a perfume feels in the moment than how long it lasts. I tend to reapply every couple of hours because I love the freshness of the opening and heart notes. Compliments actually make me a little embarrassed. I don’t wear perfume for attention; I wear it for myself.
You can explore the perfumes I own and love on Fragrantica.
Follow me on social media for more tips on living an elevated classic lifestyle:
Elevate your everyday with timeless elegance.
