Gallivant is a perfume house that will make even the most committed home bird want to travel. The company was founded by Nick Steward, formerly of L’Artisan Parfumeur, who finds constant inspiration in his love of travel, and Nick is always a traveller, never a tourist.
It’s fun guessing which city comes up next but this one was a real surprise. Bukhara is a city in Uzbekistan that was on the old silk route. No, I hadn’t heard of it either, but thanks to its namesake perfume, it’s now on my bucket list. The primary note here is the orris ( from iris root), and when orris is done well, as it is here, it can be utterly captivating. Unlike big and blousy florals, orris is the sparingly chic and elegant sylph in the corner, who never needs to raise her voice. Smooth and soft as white suede with a distant hint of violets, Bukhara is a clean, wholesome scent that also manages to show a glimpse of hidden sensuality as sheer musks settle on bare skin.
Hints of Bukhara’s Silk Route heritage peek through with cloves, saffron and spices, as if the smoke from market place bakhoors have settled softly around you. Nick himself was inspired by the cleanliness of the streets, the VERY well turned out people and the stunning blue and white tiles found frequently around the centre. In a messy, polluted world, Gallivant Bukhara is a breath of fresh air. It’s an uplifting scent that evokes a mostly unknown city that still has much to teach us and much to be proud of.
Gallivant is often a brand that surprises me. First, it made me fall in love with a perfume called Tel Aviv and now it’s made me want to visit Uzbekistan. Now THAT is the power of perfume.
Where to buy it
You can buy Gallivant Bukhara online from the Gallivant website or from one of their stockists. You can also buy a refundable discovery set of Gallivant samples, the value of which is returned to you towards a full bottle.
Disclaimer
I was sent a sample of Bukhara by Gallivant for my consideration as a blogger. My decision to review it and my opinion of it are both my own. This review first appeared in my original blog and my sentiments remain the same.
Leave a Reply