Margaretha Ley (Classic)

The Story

Launched in 1990 and composed by Michel Almairac, Escada Margaretha Ley was the house’s very first fragrance, created by the designer and dedicated to herself, housed in its iconic heart-shaped bottle. A rich, glamorous floriental, it defined the power-dressing elegance of its era. Escada has since discontinued it, so original bottles have become collectors’ items. Our interpretation keeps this classic available.

How It Smells

This is opulent, old-world glamour in a bottle. It opens warm and lush, with a honeyed peach and coconut wrapped around green hyacinth and bergamot, sweet and full from the very first moment. The heart is a grand white-floral bouquet of jasmine, ylang-ylang, and orange flower, threaded with powdery iris and a touch of spicy clove. As it settles, creamy sandalwood, soft vanilla, and musk give a warm, balsamic base that lingers richly. Bold, feminine, and unmistakably 1990s in the best way, it is a sweet, sophisticated floriental that fills a room.

The Notes

Top: hyacinth, coconut, peach, bergamot. Heart: jasmine, ylang-ylang, orange flower, iris, clove. Base: sandalwood, vanilla, musk.

How Our Version Compares

Our interpretation rebuilds Escada Margaretha Ley at 40 percent perfume oil, a far higher concentration than the lighter eau de toilette and eau de parfum sprays most people know, where the actual oil content is often only a small fraction of that. Made in the EU to careful standards, it is formulated to track the character you remember while giving you stronger projection and noticeably longer wear on skin. Because the oil load is so high, a little goes a long way: one or two dabs at the pulse points is usually enough for the day, and the scent unfolds slowly through its top, heart, and base over many hours rather than burning off within the first one. An oil based fragrance also sits closer to the skin and reacts to your own warmth and chemistry, so the way it develops on you will be subtly your own rather than identical to anyone else. If you want to stretch the wear even further, apply it to freshly moisturised skin, which holds the oils far better than dry skin and slows down evaporation. Storing it away from heat and direct light will also keep the blend smelling true for longer. This is an independent interpretation inspired by the original accord, blended in our own workshop, and it is not the branded fragrance itself.

Common Questions

Is the original discontinued? Yes. Escada Margaretha Ley is no longer in production, so authentic bottles are increasingly scarce. Our version is made fresh and stays available.

Is this the original fragrance? No. It is an independent interpretation of the accord, rebuilt at 40 percent perfume oil.

Is it very sweet? It is rich and warm, a sweet floriental by design, opulent rather than light. A little goes a long way.

When should I wear it? Its rich, sweet warmth suits autumn and winter and evenings, and special occasions where you want presence.

Comparative Advertising Disclaimer

Escada and Escada Margaretha Ley are trademarks of their respective owners, and all rights remain with them. Parfumour is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or connected to Escada in any way, and no business relationship of any kind is implied. Our product is an original interpretation created to evoke a similar scent profile, and the trademark names are used purely for honest, descriptive comparison, so that you can quickly identify the style and fragrance family you are looking for. We make no claim to sell the original product, and we do not use the same ingredients or formula. Any similarity lies in the overall impression of the scent as interpreted by our own perfumers, not in the source materials.