Gallivant Archives - Etiket Journal

Travelling with Perfume

November 23, 2023February 20, 2023 by Natalie

We think that travel fragrances need to possess two important aspects... Three of our brands happen to do both exceptionally well.

No matter where you’re travelling, it can be hard not to feel a bit adrift. Spraying on a fragrance can help center yourself, and add an invisible festive flourish to help make your time away feel that much more special.

We think that travel fragrances need to possess two important aspects — balanced, versatile formulas and convenient packaging. Three of our brands happen to do both exceptionally well.

Gallivant

Gallivant fragrances are not only inspired by travel but are the perfect travel companion. They’re breezy, energetic and gorgeously polished while being relaxed enough not to totally dominate the vacation. Their entire collection is available in 30 ml bottles, and they even produce a fun discovery set of 2 ml samples (suitably called “The Nomad”).

We recommend:

**NAPLES EDP**
Gallivant
*Poetic sea spray and church incense for a holiday by the sea.*

**BERLIN EDP**
Gallivant
*Super cool black tea and pink pepper for urban exploration.*

Escentric Molecules

These all-purpose compliment factories can adapt to any skin and situation. Their ultra-minimalist formulas make them feel less like perfumes and more like spraying on an extra layer of yourself; perfect for feeling comfortable in new environments. The best part? Their 30 ml travel sizes come in chic, futuristic metal cases for ultimate luggage peace of mind.

We recommend:

**MOLECULE 05 EDT** – **30 ML ALLOY CASE**
Escentric Molecules
*Soothing velvety cashmeran for a pampered getaway.*

**MOLECULE 03 EDT** – **30 ML ALLOY CASE**
Escentric Molecules
*Energizing green vetiver for a scenic hiking trip.*

Arquiste

Arquiste makes fragrances that transport you across time and space. Their luxurious compositions are so evocative it seems you could walk right inside them and explore. However, they remain balanced and wearable, with a light touch of old-school elegance, and their bestselling scents are available in ultra-portable travel vials.

We recommend:

**SYDNEY ROCK POOL EDP – TRAVEL SIZE 7.5 ML**
Arquiste
*Coconut and driftwood for lounging poolside (or oceanside).*

**NANBAN EDP – TRAVEL SIZE 7.5 ML**
Arquiste
*Coffee, resins and sophisticated spices for a cultural excursion.*

Shop all discovery sets and travel sizes at Etiket.ca!

Fragrance

Summer Scent Roundup

March 6, 2023June 10, 2022 by David

Our top 10 fragrances for summer transport you to destinations near and far.

As the world rediscovers the joy of travel, we decided to curate our summer sample pack with fragrances that not only are perfect for warmer weather, but also transport us to fascinating destinations around the world.

Whether evoking the coconut, vanilla and wild gardenias of the Seychelles, the coniferous mountain forests of Alberta, the yuzu-studded steam baths of Kyoto or the Victorian violet gardens of the United Kingdom, our picks for summer scents are a gateway to fragrant frontiers near and far, while also serving as the perfect scent pairings for sunny summer fun.

Hiram Green
**VIVACIOUS**

Destination: Isle of Wright, United Kingdom

Violet purples. Lime green leaves. Sherbet oranges. Taffy pinks. Inspired by the candy-coloured gardens of the Victorians, for whom the violet was a particular treasure, this all-natural masterpiece swirls and dances with the indescribable, sweet and sour ecstasy of real flowers billowing in symphony on a seaside wind.

Take a sniff and be transported to the Isle of Wight, an island off the southern coast of England where Queen Victoria built her summer residence, Osborne House. Walk the gorgeously manicured gardens of topiary and peak into the antique greenhouses, where fragrant rows of parma violets still grow.

Meleg
**ARASHIYAMA**

Destination: Kyoto, Japan

The air is thick with cool humidity as you stroll through the endless rows of a bamboo forest. Clad in wood and stone, a secluded “ryokan” inn beckons with the pleasures of an onsen; a volcanic steam bath of teal grey, misty water teeming with fragrant minerals.

A remarkable scent illusion: a serene, deeply refreshing trip to the traditional hot springs of Kyoto’s Arashiyama Mountain, where whole yuzu fruit are tossed into the waters for an extra touch of citrus oil festivity. Notes of magnolia, tea and the most delicate cedar incense imaginable immerse you in gentle clouds of invisible steam.

Monsillage
**ROUTE DU QUAI**

Destination: Rivière-Ouelle, Quebec

Named from an Algonquin word meaning “where rushes grown on the water’s edge”, the Kamouraska region of Quebec is an idyllic expanse of salt marshes, fishing villages, lush farmland and panoramic sky. Montreal-based perfumer Isabelle Michaud spent the summers of her youth here, and named this perfume after the road that led to her cottage.

A marine freshness permeates the air, with a breezy blend of wild local herbs and grasses adding a deeply textured sense of place. Abstract facets of transparent flowers add the crucial emotional element: the giddy anticipation of a childhood summer about to begin.

Vilhelm Parfumerie
**BASILICO & FELLINI**

Destination: Rome, Italy

The Italians so closely associated love with basil that, in days gone by, a sprig of the herb placed on a woman’s balcony was a symbolic invitation to her suitor. Years later, the carnivalesque entanglements of Roman romance were bottled, still fizzing, in the films of Federico Fellini, who invited viewers on deeply personal joyrides around his chaotic, glamourous city.

Smell this pastoral dream sequence pulled direct from a Fellini film. The fruity, leafy enchantment of fresh figs and savoury green basil blends airy innocence and urban sophistication, the rustic scents of the Italian countryside infused with the urgent zest of life in an ancient metropolis.

Imaginary Authors
**THE SOFT LAWN**

Destination: New Haven, Connecticut

If you’ve ever seen “Gilmore Girls”, you can smell how the verdant combo of quaint Americana, witty banter and upper-class anxiety turns the minutiae of small-town life into an endless epic. People in this part of the world seem to live submerged in oceans of power, history and tweed, determined to carve out their own slice of destiny.

A trip to picturesque New Haven, an affluent city on Long Island Sound which brims with the seaside charms of New England and plays host to Yale University, is an invitation into this forbidden world. Smell the tart linden blossoms and ivy-covered stone as you walk between museums, as locals exude crisp vetiver and the mossy scent of the tennis court.

Libertine Fragrance
**SOFT WOODS**

Destination: Jasper, Alberta

In Jasper National Park, the terrain is a soaring architecture of geology and light. Framed by simulation-perfect mountains patterned in abstract colour-fields of “wilderness”, each sun-dappled valley and canyon seems to contain more air than should fit between the water and the sky.

From this textural network of plant life and landscape: the smell of the subalpine forest in summer. Alberta perfumer Josh Smith magically transcribes it, with impressionistic touches of luminous rose to capture all that light, spirit, and spatial complexity. A chorus of juniper, balsam fir, and the trillion-fold factories of plant oil carpeting the so-called “Hall of the Gods”.

Gallivant
**LOS ANGELES**

Destination: Los Angeles, California

Like almost any massive city, Los Angeles is an electric clash of energies; of histories exalted and forgotten. Smell the hypnotic sheen of Hollywood, gleaming in the glow of vintage neon and sepia California sunlight; wild Pacific coastlines studded with aromatic sagebrush; desert-dwelling New Age millionaires shrouded in pacifying incense.

Then there are the fragrant outposts of more enduring cultures that have collected in this place: Mexican neighbourhoods perfumed by garlands of intoxicating tuberose, honeyed narcissus and skewers of juicy pineapple. The soul of Los Angeles is a smooth and carefree cocktail, breezy and addictive.

Heeley
**COCCOBELLO**

Destination: La Digue, Seychelles

A little archipelago scattered across the Indian Ocean, the Seychelles were seemingly tailor-made for maximum island beachiness. The famous beaches of La Digue island, like Anse Source-D’Argent, are flanked by undulating rock formations eroded into waveforms that mimic the cyan sea, and punctuated with palm tree exclamation marks.

After brunch at the resort, you might take a trip to the L’Union Estate vanilla farm, before hiking past bushes of the rare and highly fragrant Wright’s Gardenia on your way to lounge lazily in the coconut-studded sand. One sniff of this cheeky cocktail brings all these heady, creamy, cartoon-coloured beach vibes sailing in on a warming breeze.

Goldfield & Banks
**VELVET SPLENDOUR**

Destination: Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, South Australia

For one thing, there’s the slang. We all know at least one nugget of endearing Aussie shorthand, playfully reinforcing its status as a quirky upside-down-land at the bottom of the earth. And so encountering a flower with a name like a TV puppet, we are disarmed, unprepared for the sultry, summery, cinematic plushness of the scent of the Wattle Flower.

A type of mimosa, they grow wild on Flinders Ranges, a rugged, sweeping mountain range in South Australia. Delicate yellow clouds, they’re softly powdery and almost sweet, the blossom-y aroma polished into freshness by the raging sun. How Australian they are: innocent puffs of joy thriving on the knife-edge of a wild and unknown world.

Tauer
**COLOGNE DU MAGHREB**

Destination: Tangier, Morocco

Created in Germany in 1709 by an Italian perfumer inspired by the citrus groves of his homeland, the original “eau de cologne” began as a poetic intersection of place. Perfect for applying after a cold shower before venturing into the summer heat, these feather-light formulations suspend botanical beauty in fleeting waves on the skin.

Centuries later, a Swiss perfumer uses the frame of a “cologne” to capture the warm glow of a Tangier sunrise, merging European and North African influences as the city does itself. A seamless blend of aromatics, 100% natural, pools like liquid sunshine: citrus oil flowing over bundles of aromatic herbs on a rocky landscape of cedar, vetiver and blooming Moroccan flowers.

FRAGRANT DESTINATIONS | Summer Sample Pack

Try our 10-scent itinerary and embark on a journey of fragrant discovery. Features 0.7ml samples of our top 10 scents for summer.

Fragrance

What is Your Fall Scent Wardrobe?

August 22, 2023August 20, 2017 by Etiket

Simon Tooley, Etiket brand creator and perfume enthusiast, shares his top fragrance picks for the ...

Simon Tooley, Etiket brand creator and perfume enthusiast, shares his top fragrance picks for the upcoming fall season.

When fall comes around, just like we feel the need to change how we dress, I think we feel the need to change our fragrance. We tend to look to heavier scents; scents with notes of Amber, Oud, Vanilla or Patchouli come to mind. It doesn’t mean we have to change our signature scent if we have one, or perhaps we have one for the fall that we only bring out then. For me when fall hits, I definitely change my fall scent wardrobe, and I look forward to wearing old favourites or trying something new.

Thirty-Three EDP by Ex Idolo
One of my favourites is Thirty-Three from Ex Idolo, this scent with thirty-three-year-old oud, takes me on a journey that includes notes of rubber and a deep sexy dry down. On a woman, it is just as beautiful.

Thirty-Three is a fragrance created from hand blended and very special ingredients. Vintage Oud is the soul of the fragrance, distilled in 1980 and aged until its release in 2013.

Suede de Suède by Mona di Orio
I love the latest scent from Mona di Orio, Suède de Suède which is somehow perfect for fall, it reminds me of a hand-made pair of suede gloves that I bought in Lisbon, deep brown and trimmed in red, this fragrance is much more than suede of course. It has a rich earthiness with the patchouli, my most favourite note, and leaves me with the warmth of suede and musk at the end.

Inspired by memories of the Mona di Orio Swedish in-house perfumer Fredrik Dalman, Suede de Suède unveils a perfume that evocatively caresses the skin like soft Swedish gloves. A smooth woody suède accord warms you like the silky backside of a fur.

Savoy Steam by Penhaligon’s
One of the newest launches from Penhaligon’s, Savoy Steam, is a surprising take on their original scent, Hammam Bouquet from 1872, it has an Englishness that has both humour and sexiness and the touch of rosemary and eucalyptus are a perfect foil to the rose and pink pepper.

A fitting tribute to the original Penhaligon’s scent, Hammam Bouquet, Savoy Steam has top notes of bergamot, lemon, eucalyptus, mint, pink pepper and rosemary; middle notes of rose, geranium, cardamom, hedione and tea; base notes are benzoin, incense, vanilla and white musk.

Close Up by Olfactive Studio
I think one of the recent launches from Olfactive Studio, Close Up, deserves attention with Amber and Tonka, and a Green Coffee top note that makes me smile. There is a richness that just makes you want to spray it on your turtleneck so you feel that intensity each time you wear it.

Intense and contrasting, the amber tones combine with a freshness. It has a full- bodied character that blends seamlessly with anise and green coffee. Zooming in even closer, each ingredient gains in intensity and distinctness.

London by Gallivant
Finally, my pick for a fragrance that goes from spring to summer to fall and into our cold winters is from Gallivant, called London. It may be the reference to the Pet Shop boys but who doesn’t want to be an East End Boy or a West End Girl? The rose mixed with leather, sandalwood, patchouli and cedarwood take you from the of ce to the “pub” to meet your “chum” after work. My go to scent this fall so far.

It’s a floral leather fragrance. With a watery green head, of cucumber and violet leaves. A floral heart, with Rose de Mai Absolute, rose oil and orris root. And base notes of leather, sandalwood, patchouli and cedarwood.

Come meet our experts to find out what would be your ideal fall scent: a scent that would suit you like your wardrobe.

Fragrance

Review: Gallivant’s Istanbul & Brooklyn by Chemist in the Bottle

August 22, 2023August 15, 2017 by Etiket

This is a reblog of a review by Lucas from Chemist in the Bottle about ...

This is a reblog of a review by Lucas from Chemist in the Bottle about Istanbul and Brooklyn from Gallivant.

Road trip, two from Gallivant

It’s incredibly flattering for me when once in a while I receive an email from a perfume brand stating that they’ve been following my blog for a while & like my writing style, therefore they’d like to send me samples. For me it’s a great way of discovering new things but also to develop more personal relationship with a brand, because I have that 1 message I can later use for further contact. Few weeks ago I was approached in a way mentioned by Nick Steward, founder of Gallivant. The name rang a bell in my mind, so of course I was happy to try their fragrances. Gallivant as a verb means “to go around from one place to another in the pursuit of pleasure or entertainment” while the brand sources their perfume ideas from nomad life and being a traveller. Perfume is a destination here.Istanbul (shown above left) embodies “this feeling of an ancient city, but with a freshness, a modernity. An old luxury and a new confidence.” Its composition starts with a tart bergamot that is so diffusive it feels more like a shade cast by a citrus tree on a sunny day. It’s gone in a quick poof, stepping down to make room for cardamom. The latter one is more and spicy, with a crunchy and roasted background. There’s even something slightly caramelized about it. Its impression is followed by red thyme which gradually builds up an herbal aspect of the scent. This one is also a bit sweaty. Heart of the fragrance hides lavender absolute that is a marriage between floral and herbaceous elements. As far as I’m concerned I found its aroma to be quite dry & more herbal than floral. Geranium is a source of temporary feeling of something crispy and green but later it develops a sharp, minty undertone. Because it seems a bit metallic it feels slightly disturbing, at least to me. Later on I get opoponax and patchouli. They blend nicely together to create a multi-layer of woody, balsamic, earthy and sweet notes. It’s a source of pleasure in Instanbul the fragrance. The base is firing up with generous dose of rich vanilla, supported by beautiful, creamy spiciness of tonka bean. Amber adds a sensual warmth while sandalwood brings forth a seductive vibe. The drydown has some heft to it but doesn’t feel too heavy. It’s definitely the most interesting part of this scent.

Brooklyn (shown above right) according to the brand is about “non-stop go-go-go” while the perfume is meant to be “energetic with a creative and intellectual fizz.” In this case the opening is build around bergamot again but it lingers on skin, effusing tart, aromatic and zesty molecules. As soon as lemon and orange add their values, the perfume starts to be a kick of energy, very juicy, tasty and mouth-watering like a glass of freshly squeezed juice you could grab on your way to work. We have cardamom here again but much less accentuated, it’s all about citrus at the moment. However there is a twist to it when incense starts to sneak in, bringing some sheer smokiness with it. Who would have thought that it would smell so nice with lemon or bergamot. Later on Brooklyn juiciness becomes more clean. It smells of fresh air, clean cotton sheets with a little bit of ozonic notes. From citrus it gradually goes to pale, aquatic florals. I can smell silky magnolia and perhaps a little bit of water-lily but Gallivant uses a general term of transparent flowers. It does feel sheer, airy and with pastel colors. There’s also a gentle powdery vibe of iris here. The drydown has a fluffy musk accord blended with white woods that are delicate and that don’t add much weight to the scent. Amber (much lighter than in Istanbul) raises temperature a bit while benzoin listed among notes was barely there on my skin. Perhaps it was very subtle and got overlooked because of ambery note.

***

Both Istanbul and Brooklyn have decent projection and good longevity. They are interesting and quite easy to wear. Gallivant team decided to work with young perfumers – Istanbul was created by Karine Chevallier while Brooklyn is a composition from Giorgia Navarra (trained by Bertrand Duchaufour). These 2 are a half of initial collection from Gallivant, other 2 represent London and Tel Aviv. Plus there will be another two appearing this fall. All fragrances are in eau de parfum concentration and since the brand is about exploring and discovering places, their bottle is travel friendly (and perfumista friendly) since it’s a 30 ml size. Feel like going to any of these two places?

To read more reviews from Lucas, visit Chemist in the Bottle

Fragrance

GALLIVANT Perfumes: Where are you going next?

August 22, 2023May 2, 2017 by Etiket

Meet GALLIVANT, the modern indie fragrance house founded by Nick Steward, former Creative Director of ...

Meet GALLIVANT, the modern indie fragrance house founded by Nick Steward, former Creative Director of L’ Artisan Parfumeur. GALLIVANT is all about the belief in getting out into the world and discovering more. In feet-on-the-ground exploration. The freedom to wander and travel. These unique fragrances capture the vibe of the brand’s favourite destinations. Cool, creative cities. Unisex eau de parfums for urban explorers who like to travel light.

Always easy, always streamlined, these scents also come packaged in 30ml ‘nomad’ bottles to help you on your journey. Designed in London, handmade by artisans in France and England.

Where are you going next?

London
London, is a floral leather fragrance. With a watery green head, of cucumber and violet leaves. A floral heart, with Rose de Mai Absolute, rose oil and orris root. And basenotes of leather, sandalwood, patchouli and cedarwood.

Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv is a bright, sunny, floral fruity fragrance. A fresh, fruity head, and notes of clementine, bergamot, and blackcurrant bud. A floral heart with jasmine sambac absolute, Comoros’ ylang ylang, rose oil and freesia. And a warm, musky base with sandalwood, musks, Deer’s Tongue absolute (liatrix) and benzoin.

Istanbul
Istanbul is an ambery, woody, spicy fragrance. A fresh aromatic head, with notes of bergamot, cardamom, red thyme. A woody, aromatic heart, with lavender absolute, Egyptian geranium essence, patchouli heart and sweet myrrh (opoponax) essence. And basenotes of sandalwood, vanilla, tonka bean, amber and musks.

Brooklyn
Brooklyn is a musky citrus fragrance. A fresh, spicy, fizzy head, with notes of bergamot, squeezed lemon and orange juice. Incense, cardamom, ozonic notes. A floral heart, with magnolia and orris root. And a base of white woods, benzoin, amber and musks.

Shop GALLIVANT here