High Adventures in the Great Outdoors
Music and Fragrances
There are quite a few commonalities between music and fragrances in that at closer inspection, both are based on harmonious compositions and notes that have been arranged and blended together in a concerted manner – all of which has been done to portray the composer’s vision that transcends the vehicle itself and is enhanced by the active engagement of the recipient.
Not unlike music, fragrances are a very personal thing every time I come across a new range that intrigues me, not unlike with music, I dig deeper to learn more about its evolution and the background of the creators.
Case in point: Goldfield and Banks.
Having fallen in love with the botanical side and the aromas of terra australis, one French-Belgian by the name of Dimitri Weber set out to capture his interpretation of the very essence of this sunburnt country. The result is a collection of gender-free fragrances, the common denominator of which is that their ingredients are unique to down under and have been channelled in this manner before,
What I specifically like about Dimitri channelled his alchemy is that he not only creates unique new fragrances but marries the tried and tested approaches of the old world via collaborations and consultations with established perfume houses with new influences to create an olfactory experience that is far from novelty territory, which is where similar endeavours often end.
If Goldfield & Banks’ range was music, it would be old school West-Coast punk rock as it reminds me of coastal walks, forests in spring and steamy heat and its implications all pervaded by a distinct DNA. While this might sound contradictory, it makes perfect sense once you indulge in the perfumes.
Given the aforementioned, it is not further wondrous that the name of Goldfield & Banks is an ode to one of Australia’s first botanist and naturalist s, i.e. Joseph Banks, whose life’s work was focussed on the documentation and collection of Australian plants and its botanical richness.
Not unlike music, fragrances can create an ambience and take you on a journey. Take for example Goldfield & Banks’ Pacific Rock Moss, which is an homage par excellence to the marine climate of Australia’s East Coast and summery nights courtesy of the melange of coastal moss and cedar wood.
The Wood Infusion expression has, well, a telling name as the focus is firmly set on the wood prevalent on Fraser Island – think sandalwood, iris and oud wood, resulting in a dense, ambery yet creamy complexity comparable in music terms to All.
Then there is my favourite of the trio, i.e. Velvet Splendour, which could not only be a great name for a glam rock band but is also the olfactory equivalent to a Van Gogh painting with its aromas of sunburnt wildflowers and mimosas, accentuated by delicate leathery notes and spicy highlights.
Not unlike music, fragrances can be loud and boisterous or subtle and delicate and what I like about Goldfield and Banks is that their fragrances effortlessly cover the whole claviature.
---
image from company website
