Velvet Splendour

Velvet Splendour had its fragrance launched in May 2019, created by perfumer Wessel-Jan Kos (Firmenich). The inspiration was the region known as the Flinders Ranges (commonly called The Flinders), which make up a mountain range in southern Australia with their remarkable colours. Between the pinkish mauve from morning to the ocher from dusk, the region has a lot of natural diversity, including areas full of myrtle, ferns, eucalyptus and Australian acacia trees, called Golden Wattles (Acacia Pycnantha Benth). To understand the fragrance of Velvet Splendour, it is important to explain that Australian golden wattle is present even in the national floral emblem. Australians love their symbol tree so much that they created one day to celebrate its flowering: September 1st, Wattle Day. It is a little different from Acacia Decurrens, which is more explored in perfumery. However, most people know acacia flowers by another name: mimosas. Velvet Splendour is classified, by the company, as a floral, sensual and enveloping perfume. It has notes of mandarin orange, hedione, orange blossom absolute, Australian mimosa absolute, jasmine Sambac, sandalwood, patchouli, Haitian vetiver, leather, tonka bean, opoponax and heliotropine. To simplify things a bit, a few explanations are worth: the hedione was used to reinforce the lovely smell of jasmine; opoponax is known as sweet myrrh and it was used to bring balsamic and sweet nuances; heliotropine is usually listed as heliotrope, which is that vanilla-smelling flower. Velvet Splendour touches the skin like a classic floral of the 80s’, with many nuances of rose – especially in the opening minutes – and not as many powdery facets as the fragrances of that time. The smell of roses that I mentioned above, is not a crazy thing from my mind. Mimosas bring these nuances, as well as something from tuberoses. Velvet Splendour's evolution seems simpler than its composition. Basically, I feel a solar floral scent of roses and jasmine, which seems to be dipped in a soft, narcotic wax. This wax gives a silky, velvety and sensual touch, which is not too sweet, but sweetened. The drying is divinely creamy and long lasting. However, everything happens in a linear way, with almost zero variation. On my skin, I continued to feel the fragrance even after eight hours of application, which is the result of more than 20% of essential oils in the composition that, it is worth remembering, is vegan and cruelty-free. I can see a greater appeal to the female audience and I imagine that some will find Velvet Splendour a not innovative scent. However, the growth and popularization of Niche Perfumery have brought an avalanche of disinformation about the segment. It is necessary to separate the chaff from the wheat: one thing is a niche brand that sells copies of fragrances launched by Designer brands, disguised in luxurious boxes and press releases that defend rarer ingredients; another thing is to find a niche brand that, at some point, it will launch a perfume that could be considered as a less innovative fougère, citrus or floral, which is clearly there to represent all the olfactory families within the collection. And in the case of Goldfield & Banks Australia, after wearing Southern Bloom and White Sandalwood, it is difficult not to recognize such a difference.

What is it about this fragrance??? I wore it to a doctor's appointment and then to do my running around. I received compliments EVERYWHERE I went...including the girl at check in, my doctor, the stock boy at CVS AND the dude who helped me at Home Depot, shopping for a new front door knob..🤷 This scent is really pretty in a vintage 90s way, which I am not hating-- especially after all the compliments in just one day...from females AND males. A voluptuous floral character that obviously has decent projection, thus the compliments. I liked it when I first sprayed it on, and now I love it, lol The dry down lasts n lasts on my dry skin and an eternity on clothes. If you like floral scents and want compliments, I highly recommend this one. It is a tried n true - and surprising- attention getter. People reviewing this are underestimating this fragrance. At least, buy a sample, wear it out somewhere, interact with some ppl and find out for yourself. I would give this a 9/10 overall. NOTE- This is clearly a feminine frag, IMO.

The most underrated and most misunderstood perfume from Goldfield&Banks catalog. I am wearing today, for the first time since summer came, in a mildly warm but cloudy day and it’s absolutely glorious. The scent, the projection, the way that makes me smile every time I move around and catch a whiff of Velvet Splendour is just amazing... I have not come across to a better, more intense mimosa dominant perfume as this one. Obviously, it’s paired beautifully with jasmine, orange blossom and a warm, creamy vanilla/sandalwood base, and it’s making my soul happy. It’s sweet and rich but doesn’t feel overbearing even during a late summer day. Why do people here consider Velvet Splendour an old fashioned/vintage scent is beyond me... I am telling you, if you love mimosa and white florals, this is a must have! And the way it performs is on par with Silky Woods, meaning super strong! I wish the other fragrances from the Native Collection would perform like Velvet Splendour, but most of them are on the lighter side.

The G&B discovery set has been full of surprises! Was not expecting to like this one as much as I do. Very clean, fresh velvety florals that smell so natural and charming. Feels like I just stepped out of a roomy apartment in Homebush Bay, freshly showered in a white shirt dress and Birkenstocks and I am standing by the jasmine bushes ready to go on an early morning stroll by the waterside in the burgeoning Sydney heat. Not an overpowering jasmine though, very lightly done. Fresh soapy mimosa. The hedione gives it warmth. Really quite captivating, I don't own florals like this but if I was going to pick one this would be it! You don't need more than a couple of sprays, more than that and it becomes a denser, powdery vintage scent, (yes it does have a striking similarity to the old Coco Chanel) which is nice but I prefer this one light. Long lasting too. mood : spring strolls

Velvet Splendour is soft floral amber luxury. Yellow florals stick to a vintage-style amber base. There's a specific floral note I'm not familliar with that seems to be the star of the show, I'm going to assume that's the mimosa-wattle note. It's a powdery, woody floral that when on top of the amber reminds me of Chanel No. 5. The dry down includes softer florals, noticeably orange blossom, and more of that beautiful enigma mimosa-wattle. The base becomes more woody with the amber still noticeable. It does have a "velvety" feel. Although there are some strong notes in there, it feels like there is a fuzzy layer on top of it all to mute any sharpness. Gorgeous blending from Goldfield & Banks. This fragrance feels luxurious and high-class. Chanel No. 5 lovers will adore Velvet Splendour. I can imagine this being worn by an alluring, classy woman who knows exactly who she is.