Hey Posse. I’m not sure why it took me so long ro buy a bottle of Velvet Splendour by Goldfield & Banks. When it first came out in 2019 I tried it in the airport and was instantly WOWed. At the time I said I’d buy it on the way back, forgetting that you don’t go through the shopping area to get out and then it completely slipped my mind to do a reroute. Then it fell off my radar. Recently on one of the Aussie FB pages I saw a mate selling her backup and I grabbed it within minutes of the Sale Doc going up. Woo Hoo! It arrived and now I’d like to share my pride in a world class Aussie perfume house with you all. Goldfield & Banks is available almost everywhere now.
- US : Bloomingdales, 1000 Third Avenue 59th Street and, Lexington Avenue, 10022 New York, USA (https://www.bloomingdales.com/)
- UK : Selfridges, Upper Dean St, Birmingham B5 4BP, Birmingham, UK (https://www.selfridges.com/GB/en/)
- Europe : Jovoy, 4 rue de Castiglione, 75001 Paris, France (www.jovoyparis.com)
Musette wrote about some of the Goldfield & Banks line a while ago.
Velvet Splendour by Goldfield & Banks
Parfumo gives these featured accords:
Mandarin orange, Hedione, Australian mimosa absolute, Orange blossom absolute, Jasmine sambac, Australian sandalwood, Patchouli, Haitian vetiver, Leather, Tonka bean, Opoponax, Heliotrope
The biggest surprise of Velvet Splendour for me is that it’s so retro smelling. Harking back to the days of glamorous fine French fragrance. A heady aldehydic white floral with fluffy powder and a rich and brooding wood/leather/patchouli baseline. Old school but done in a modern way that makes it a standout.
Australia is strewn with everlasting daisies and wattle. I really smell them here but they are encased here within orange blossom and jasmine so beautifully and cosily. It’s a seriously head turning opening and I find it super swoon worthy. You’ll also be surprised by how long the opening lasts. Development is languorous and calm.
The heart and opening have much in common but as we go further into the base Velvet Splendour starts to darken. The wood/leather/patchouli baseline becomes more apparent but we never lose hints of the flowers. Because the Australian sandalwood has been used it has a more astringent voice through the heart but as time goes by it softens and becomes the creamy, dreamy note we know and love. Sandalwood is the star of the dry down and you will notice hints of the sandalwood bases of things like Guerlain Mahora and Miller et Bertaux Santal +++. Not the same but a drier version of that rich and creamy sandalwood dream.
Totally unisex and with excellent longevity, Velvet Splendour is no super powerhouse but will have you divinely fragrant throughout your day. Long after I have become nose blind to it people ask me what it is.
Have you tried Velvet Splendour or any of the Goldfield & Banks frags?
Portia xx
You’re right – it’s a beautiful line of perfumes!
This is a line I keep thinking I need to explore a little, but have not managed to yet, this sounds lovely.
Hey Patty,
I think a few of them might really hit your sweet spot. They are a very dedicated crew to making something of excellence.
Portia xx
The florals sound heavenly, but I’m not a big fan of too much aldehydes — I don’t mind them hovering over the top of a scent, but not as a major component. Is it really aldehyde-forward?
Hi HeidiC,
OK, we are not talking CHANEL No 22, or even No 5 levels of aldehydes but they are there, sparkling away on open. Fizzing like the most delightful champagne.
Portia xx
Hmmm, in addition to Selfridges it appears that Jovoy Mayfair has the line and it can be found on amazon. So, ears perked up. This does sound lovely though maybe not for me. Will have to investigate the line in any case.
Hey Cinnamon,
Please go try them. we are SO PROUD of this line in Australia. it really smells world class.
Portia xx
I agree – it is a lovely line of perfumes!
xo
Love my Desert Rosewood sample and kinda regret not splurging on a FB when Barney’s (maybe iirc) in New York was closing not long ago.
Barney’s had some amazing deals in the crash, I wanted to be there to shop BAD!! I’m sure you will find a bottle somewhere for a good price,
Portia xx
Hey, dollface! I tried Goldfield & Banks, back when they first emerged – remember liking the line quite a bit, though (or maybe because of) the notes were a bit alien to my nose (I remember Southern Bloom being a standout, possibly because it was so different). This? This sounds right the heck up my olfactory alley – especially the ‘languorous’ unfolding (what a sensual word, languorous)….. the sandalwood might be a dealbreaker, though. Most sandalwood drydowns irritate me.
But it does sound exquisite, for all that.
xoxoxo
Heya Musette,
If sandalwood shits you then this is definitely a no go. You’d be cursing me long and loud,
Portia xx
LOL! xoxox
I had a tiny sample from a luckyscent order and loved it. If I was buying a lot I would definitely consider a bottle. Wish they had smaller sizes (wish that for so many brands!!)
I think they are doing some 10ml travel sets MMKinPA. Or maybe they are in the works. I’d love a set like that myself, even though I now own three bottles by them.
Portia xx
I told you it was fabulous! So glad you finally bought a bottle. :-). I was in Montréal at the launch when Dimitri came to Etiket and he signed my bottle. It was instant love and still my favourite of the collection. I really like the line and own VS along with Southern Bloom, Desert Rosewood, White Sandalwood and Blue Cypress. Looking forward to sniffing the latest release, Silky Woods, even though I’m not a big oud fan.
YOU were so right TaraC.
Bloody gorgeous stuff.
Portia xx
And Etiket ships across Canada…