Gallivant’s Gulf Collection feels like stepping into a story that has been waiting its moment. Three parfums shaped from founder Nick Steward’s memories of the Arabian Peninsula, crafted with a steadiness that comes from lived experience rather than urgency. There is a quiet beauty in the way these scents open and linger, as if they were carried forward through time before finding their place on the skin.
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
They arrived to me after a conversation with Nick that stayed in my mind for days. He has an ease about him, a sincerity that you feel instantly. When I unboxed the travel trio he sent after our interview, it felt like a thoughtful gesture from someone who genuinely loves the craft. The perfumes reflect that spirit. Each one unfolds with intention, rooted in places he knows intimately, and together they form a collection that feels warm, grounded, and deeply human.
I am not usually drawn to dense spices or sweet, heavy compositions. My skin favors modern florals, musk, and radiant woods. So I approached these parfums with curiosity, especially knowing how personal they were to Nick. After going through the full Gallivant discovery set and falling in love with his entire portfolio, I trusted his taste completely. And I am glad I did. All three fragrances in the Gulf Collection surprised me with their balance, wearability, and emotional depth. I reach for them on evenings out or moments when I want a scent with more presence.
Ar Riyad
Perfumer: Céline Perdriel
Ar Riyad moves like warm air inside a secluded garden. The first impression is textured and radiant, almost like stepping into a courtyard where sunlight hangs in the air long after it should fade. The spice blend creates a soft haze around the orange blossom, which rises through the composition with clarity and strength. The bitter almond wraps the floral heart in a velvety warmth, while the cumin stays discreet and adds a subtle human edge.
As it settles, the perfume deepens. Tobacco and olibanum bring a calm sense of gravity, supported by patchouli. The vanilla rounds the scent, giving the drier notes more shape.
Top notes: Vervain oil, bergamot, bitter almond, ginger
Heart notes: Orange blossom, clove, nutmeg, ylang ylang, cumin
Base notes: Patchouli, tobacco, olibanum, vanilla
The overall mood is warm. It feels complete, like a moment suspended in golden light. A beautiful start to the collection. Regular price $262.
Dubai
Perfumer: Céline Perdriel
Dubai opens with a bright shimmer of pear and neroli. It feels like sunlight hitting glass, crisp and luminous. Almost immediately, a tea accord rises through the composition. It smells warm and soft, with that slightly leathery tone evaporating dried leaves have when they meet hot water. This transition prepares the space for the florals that follow.
Jasmine sambac and honeysuckle unfold with a gentle glow. These florals can turn piercing on my skin, yet here they stay creamy and balanced. The cypriol adds a hint of depth without pulling the fragrance into smoky or heavy territory. As it moves into the base, clean musks and amber bring a golden finish that lasts through the evening.
Top notes: Pear, neroli, saffron
Heart notes: Tea, jasmine sambac, honeysuckle, cypriol
Base notes: Vetiver, musks, amber
Dubai feels serene, soft, and polished. A garden at sundown. Jasmine in warm air. Tea in hand. It is one of the most effortlessly wearable florals I have in my collection.
Souq Waqif
Perfumer: Céline Perdriel
Souq Waqif is the most atmospheric of the trio. The opening is bright and almost metallic, shaped by incense, blood orange, and saffron. It creates a clean slice of air that lets the deeper materials breathe. As the fragrance develops, myrrh, patchouli, and geranium form a warm, resinous core that settles comfortably on the skin.
The oud in the base is dry and restrained. Vietnamese oud can easily dominate, but here it supports the other notes with a textured, grounded presence instead of pulling focus. Guaiac wood and cistus add gentle smoke and depth, creating a sense of motion that feels like walking through a traditional market at twilight.
Top notes: Incense, blood orange, saffron
Heart notes: Myrrh, patchouli, geranium
Base notes: Oud, woody resinous notes, guaiac wood, cistus
Souq Waqif carries a glow that feels both warm and steady. It is rich without heaviness, textured without weight, and it evolves beautifully over hours.
The Creative Partnership
What gives the Gulf Collection its coherence is the relationship between founder Nick Steward and perfumer Céline Perdriel. She brings precision, intelligence, and refined structure. He brings narrative instinct, emotional memory, and a deep love for place. Their partnership gives the trio a quiet elegance, the feeling of perfumes shaped with respect for both materials and meaning.
The Gulf Collection is a reminder of what independent perfumery can still offer. These scents feel intimate and grounded. They move gradually, revealing new layers long after the first spray. They have noticeable presence.
Gallivant remains an independent house committed to slow perfumery. Concentrates come from Cosmo Fragrances in Paris. Bottling is done by hand in East London. These parfums have become part of my routine because they bring something steady and meaningful to the day. Nick once told me he hopes Gallivant is still here in thirty years, creating perfumes with soul. The Gulf Collection makes that easy to imagine.
Elevated Classics Classification
Primary Category: Independent, Travel-Inspired Artisan Brand
Secondary Tags: Creative Director-Led, Vegan and Cruelty-Free, Small Batch UK Production, Slow Perfumery, Grasse Lab Collaboration, Narrative-Driven, High Oil Concentration
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