To celebrate our abundance of wonderful Australian fragrance houses at Lore Perfumery, we started a QnA series to get to know all of the people behind the brands a bit more.
Goldfield & Banks is one of the OG’s at Lore Perfumery – the first brand that we took on board in 2017, it holds a special place in our hearts. Having developed a strong relationship with Dimitri over the years, it has been incredible to see this brand not only soaring but paving the way for Australian fragrance.
What is your first or most powerful non-perfume scent memory?
When I was a child, my family lived on a barge, and I vividly remember the scent of the French canals and rivers. Especially around the old 16th and 17th-century locks—where the boats pass through and the gates rise, releasing a rush of water. There was this incredible blend of algae, fresh water, and aged wood. It’s a scent etched into my memory.
What inspired you to start Goldfield & Banks?
I noticed a gap in the global luxury fragrance market—there wasn’t a house that truly captured the richness of Australia. I wanted to change that by creating a brand that celebrated Australian landscapes, native botanicals, and olfactive identity.
What would you say are the core tenets of Goldfield & Banks, what defines it?
Goldfield & Banks is perfumery inspired by the land, from sea to bottle, our fragrances embody the essence of Australia. They’re refined and sophisticated, yet there’s always a raw, rugged touch—something grounded and real.
How do you approach the creation of a fragrance? Do you start with a story/concept and then make a fragrance that embodies it, or do you start with the fragrance and write its story from there?
It always begins with a spark of inspiration—either a native Australian ingredient or a place that has moved me. From there, I explore what defines that region and build around it. I create mood boards, imagine the story, the name, the feeling. It’s about transporting people to that location through scent.
Are there any materials or ingredients you especially love to use in your fragrances?
I’m particularly drawn to woody notes and the aromatic, often underexplored botanicals of Australia—like kunzea, tea tree, and other native plants. They’re expressive, bold, and truly unique to our country.
Is there a fragrance from Goldfield & Banks collection that you feel particularly passionate about or connected to?
Purple Suede and Silky Woods Elixir are two of my personal favourites. I’ve always had a deep love for oud, and knowing the origin of our ingredients gives me a stronger emotional connection to them and the people who grow them.
Do you have any perfumery pet peeves?
From a personal point of view, I find it overwhelming when someone wears a very strong fragrance in a medical or confined environment—it can be too much. That said, I love how fragrance is becoming a part of identity like on Air France they have a specific fragrance for the staff —it’s a small detail, but it’s a powerful form of self-expression.
What does it mean to you to be an Australian fragrance house?
It means everything. There’s a real sense of pride in being a pioneer—helping to open the door for other Australian fragrance brands to emerge and flourish. It’s about sharing our story with the world.
What’s something that people may not know about Goldfield & Banks?
We’re proud to say that Goldfield & Banks is now available in over 70 countries worldwide. It’s an incredible milestone.
What fragrance are you wearing today and why?
I’m wearing Pacific Rock Flower—it’s launch day, and it represents everything I love about the Australian coastline: freshness, vibrancy, and a deep connection to nature.
