The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Velvet Splendour arrived in 2019 as part of Goldfield & Banks' Native Collection. Wessel-Jan Kos created this fragrance inspired by the smell of wild flowers held close, their petals still warm from the sun. The composition captures the sensation of springtime, with golden florals and soft warmth woven together in an elegant, unhurried manner. There's a sun-drenched quality to the blend, where the rich mimosa notes interweave with creamy sandalwood and subtle resinous undertones, creating a feeling that is both lush and serene. The fragrance feels like stepping into a sunlit meadow, where the air is thick with the scent of blossoms and the warmth of the day lingers on the skin.
What makes Velvet Splendour unusual isn't any single ingredient, it's the mimosa. Australian mimosa absolute occupies a central role in the composition: more textured than typical mimosa, with a warm floral presence that extends throughout the wear. Most houses use mimosa as an accent, a powdery top note. Here, the entire structure builds around it, anchoring golden florals to Australian sandalwood and leather that keeps the sweetness from becoming cloying. Tonka bean and opoponax add a soft resinous quality that extends the drydown without overwhelming the flowers.
The evolution
The opening sparkles briefly with mandarin orange, clean, bright, before the mimosa arrives. For the opening phase, Velvet Splendour is all golden petals and orange blossom, dense and warm, with just enough leather underneath to keep it grounded. Jasmine sambac adds depth and complexity as the fragrance develops, bringing a rich floral quality beneath the golden florals. The drydown is where Australian sandalwood takes over, smooth and warm, with patchouli providing a dry counterpoint. On fabric, the scent maintains a noticeable presence that transitions to a skin-close warmth lingering into the evening. The leather weaves through the composition, providing texture throughout the wear.
Cultural impact
Velvet Splendour sits within Goldfield & Banks' Native Collection, a range that highlights Australian botanical ingredients reimagined through sophisticated perfumery. Where other niche houses lean into oud or leather as their signature, Goldfield & Banks has built their identity on native botanicals, and Velvet Splendour is their most floral statement within that project, showcasing how Australian ingredients can be translated into refined, complex fragrance compositions.
