Gallivant is a brand of perfumes inspired by cities. I’ve reviewed Tel Aviv, a gorgeous floral, and Brooklyn, musks and bellinis. I think it’s so difficult to do a “destination perfume“. People have different experiences with cities. Do you live there? When did you live there? Did you visit with your family? Was it a honeymoon? Do you go there mainly for work? You get my point. There are so many other factors that may influence our city sentiments.

With London, I know this sounds silly, but I was expecting something good no matter what I thought London should smell like. London is just that sort of inspiration. I thought Gallivant may go in a moody direction of grime, rain and gloomy days. It could go in the direction of glamour and wealth. Where London goes is even better than I expected. It’s a perfume of contrasts. It plays on themes of antique/modern, masculine/feminine and industrial/natural. It’s basically a cucumber-rose-leather, which sounds weird but I promise, it works.

London opens with a freshness that comes across like “cool rain”. I knew there was no way a brand making a perfume of London would leave out the rain. And I’m thankful for this. It’s bitter greens and muddled cucumber. It’s damp, not dank. It’s like rain in a garden instead of a basement that needs a dehumidifier. The cucumber isn’t like some teenage body spray, it’s more like a spring rain or even like gin (because of the cucumber, orris and ozonic notes). I actually can’t remember the last time I’ve even liked cucumber in a fragrance. I definitely can’t believe I’d say I *love* the cucumber in this. Then it’s rose! It’s a dewy cottage rose. I’m an “Hermès person” but I never really liked Kelly Caleche. It was just too pretty, too perfect. But, I love the idea of a classic feminine rose paired with leather. Gallivant London has given me this. This is a dewy rose over a new leather jacket. As it wears into the heart, it’s like new leather with a hint of garden greenery. After many hours of wear, it starts to smell like soft suede, hay and cedar. In fact, the first time I wore it, I kept smelling something I really enjoyed but I couldn’t remember what I was wearing. I thought I was wearing Heeley Cuir Pleine Fleur, one of my favorite “modern” leathers. I remembered it wasn’t a Heeley, but Gallivant London. And this make me like it even more. It started out as muddled cucumbers, turned into a rose in leather and then dries down to hay. It’s such an odd one because it does smell like a garden in the middle of a bustling city.

The overall feel of London, despite having polarizing notes, is that is polite in the way outsiders think of Brits. It’s also quirky, another trait outsiders think of when they think of Brits. It’s one of those perfumes that can work in any season, most environments and any gender. I really recommend it to anyone looking for a “daily” perfume that isn’t boring or like anything else that usually gets recommended for “daily” wear.

Notes listed include cucumber, violet leaves, Rose de Mai, orris, leather, sandalwood, patchouli and cedarwood. Launched in 2017. PERFUMER – Karine Chevallier

Give London a try if you like the idea of a sheer leather rose. Or if you like perfumes like Hermès Kelly Caleche, Hermès Rose Ikebana, YSL In Love Again, Parfums Rosine Un Zeste de Rose and/or Jo Loves White Rose & Lemon Leaves.

Projection and longevity are average.

The 1 oz bottle retails for $95 at Indigo Perfumery. Samples are also available for purchase.

Victoria’s Final EauPINION – Cucumbers, leather and roses. This is a series of notes I had no clue I wanted until I tried it. In my opinion, it’s one of the best takes on leather in recent years. I love seeing it paired with fresh, floral notes.

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*Disclaimer – Sample provided by the brand. I am not financially compensated for my reviews. My opinions are my own. Product pic from Fragrantica. Lily Cole pic from iD circa 2005.