New Niche Perfume (and Candle) Review: Gwendolyn-Mary Pavane 1, 2 & 3 + Scent and Music Draw

Gwendolyn-mary logo CaFleureBon

The Creative Director of the company Gwendolyn-Mary, Kathleen Laccinole, had a revelation about the transporting qualities of music when she was caught in traffic one day, and was taken away by a piece of music on the radio. Realizing that scent had similar properties, she decided to design a line of fragrances for both home and body that would be equally transporting. Collaborating with experts from many fields, Ms. Laccinole, a former pianist, music executive, and screenwriter, brought Gwendolyn-Mary to life.

Gwendolyn-Mary Perfume Set CaFleureBon

Each scent has been inspired by a favorite piece of music. The three fragrances, Pavane No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3, are available in both perfume oil form and as a hand-poured soy candle. They are designed to be worn or burned separately or in tandem. Conceptually, this line is interesting: Pavane No. 1 is bright top notes, Pavane No. 2 is floral middle notes, and Pavane No. 3 is deep base notes. All are complete enough to experience alone, but can be layered to produce different effects.

Gwendolyn-Mary Pavane pierre augustin masse afterToudouze CaFleureBon

Pavane, Pierre Augustine Massé after Toudouze

Light and breezy, Pavane No. 1 perfume is fresh without being soapy or too clean. It is crisp and wearable. It leaves a light dusting of fragrance on skin after the initial burst of lychee and grassy notes. The candle is lovely, imparting a sense of fresh air without an overwhelming aroma. It is a candle you can let burn a while. The scent was inspired by Gabriel Fauré's Pavane in F-sharp minor, Op. 50.

Notes: lychee fruit, fig, orange blossom, and fresh cut grass

Gwendolyn-Mary PavaneEdwin-Austin-Abbey-CaFleureBon

Pavane, Edwin Austin Abbey

Inspired by Felix Mendelssohn's "Wedding March" from his suite of incidental music for A Midsummer Night's Dream, Pavane No. 2 is a fresh-cut bouquet of flowers. I wore this on a sunny but crisply cool day when I went out for a long walk and it held up well. It is blended expertly, and no particular note dominates; it is truly a bouquet. I’ll definitely wear it when I want an uncomplicated floral. The candle is very good, true to scent with a touch more throw and presence than No. 1.

Notes:  water lily, Moroccan red rose, and stargazer lily

Gwendolyn-Mary Pavane 16th cent CaFleureBon

Pavane, Mid-16th Century Spanish

Spicy and warm, Pavane No. 3 was my immediate favorite candle, and ultimately my favorite in the perfume, as well. But then, I am drawn to the deeper base notes in general, so that makes sense. I burn more candles when it’s cooler outside, and woods and spices make my house cozy. When I first put on the perfume, I felt like I smelled too much like a candle. After a few minutes, it sank into my skin and became quite appealing. My nose went to my scented hand frequently, and on the chilly morning I wore it, the sweetly spicy woods were welcome. Pavane No. 3 was inspired by Maurice Ravel's Pavane pour une infante défunte

Notes: tobacco, cedar, sandalwood deepened by oak moss, Madagascar vanilla, and clove

Of course, because these are meant to be layered, I played with them. For perfume, I especially liked the blend of No.’s 2 and 3, letting the florals lift the base notes. Layering all three was not as satisfying for me, but I’m sure proportion is everything, and more experimentation is needed. I also burned the candles in groupings, and enjoyed all of them.

Gwendolyn-Mary candle CaFleureBon

The packaging is fantastic. The full-sized candle I received was wrapped so beautifully I nearly didn’t want to open it. The substantial glass container is not emblazoned with the name of the company, just a simple small poppy, and is meant to be repurposed once the candle is gone. The rollerballs of perfume are elegant and simple as well, with just a poppy motif. I think the candles especially would be perfect for gift-giving.

I received my product samples from Gwendolyn-Mary.

Tama Blough, Senior Editor

Thanks to the generous folks at Gwendolyn-Mary, we are offering a travel set containing samples of each perfume and all three candles in travel tins for one of our US readers. Let us know which of these fragrances appeals to you, and how you might layer them. Don’t forget to let us know you are in the US.

Gwendolyn-Mary travel set CaFleureBon

We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.

Additionally, we have an exclusive coupon code, GMLOVESCFB20, good for 20% off on the website through October 31st. Gwendolyn-Mary is currently shipping to the US and Canada only.

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24 comments

  • Cynthia says:

    I think Pavane No. 3 would appeal to me. Just when I think I’ve heard every inspiration for making perfumes, someone comes out with a new take! I love the idea of top, middle, and bottom notes. I live in US

  • leathermountain says:

    I am in the US. I also am drawn to the base notes, #3. But for layering I might try 1 with 2, as they seem to be more closely related to one another.

  • Claudia says:

    I am in the US. Pavane No.3, the notes sound like they are made for cooler weather. As far as layering I am really not a layering sort of girl. I would wear it straight up by itself.

  • PatriciaC says:

    Pavane No. 1 perfume sounds lke it would be my favorite. I would try to layer it with Pavane No. 2 to add a little debth and i think they would harmonize well. What a wonderful de-stressor with a glass of wine,beautiful music and heavenly fragrance. I kive in the USA.

  • Fazal Cheema says:

    Pavane No. 3 appeals to me the most because it has notes i enjoy such as sandalwood and vanilla and is spicy in nature. I am in the U.S.

  • ringthing says:

    Pavane No. 3 attracts me immediately because I love basenotes as well but they all sound lovely, especially the candles. Best of all is the concept of scents based on music! I would like to layer Numbers 1 & 2, or 1 with a dab of 3. I’m in the US. Thanks for the draw.

  • Nemo says:

    I am in the US, and I would most love to try Pavane No.3 because I can never resist something with spicy woods 🙂 No. 1 sounds interesting as well, and I would try layering 1 and 3. I am in the US.

  • Barbara says:

    Pavane No. 3 appeals to me the most, because I too am drawn to the deeper basenotes. I am in the US and am looking for some new candles now that the days are shorter.

  • FeralJasmine says:

    Pavane 3 appeals to me immediately, because those are notes that I love, but I might try layering with Pavane 2, because the combination of Stargazers with tobacco, vanilla, and clove might be gorgeous. I live in the US.

  • julesinrose says:

    “Me too!” Pavane #3 has many of my favorite notes. Ooh! I’d like to try it with a background o #2 as I tend to shy away from flowery scents, but goodness, I do like the smell of fresh cut flowers. These two candles sound like they’d be heavenly together during the winter. A hint of summer wafting by. . .

    I’m in the US. Thanks again for the lovely draw!

  • Mary K says:

    I like the sound of the grassy note in #1. I would layer using all three, since I’d want top, mid and base notes, but I might use a little more of No.1. I am is the US.

  • Dana says:

    #3 sounds most appealing to me from the notes listed. I do like to burn candles, too, especially in the upcoming cold weather. I would try experimenting with all three. Thank you for the draw and I am in the U.S.

  • Daniela Schuch says:

    I’m in the USA.
    I think I would like #1. I love figs notes as long as lichee does not take over. I would blend maybe 1 and 2.

  • Devon H says:

    I adore the packaging! Scent + music is straight up my alley. I think #3 appeals to me the most, and I also am not much of a layering person except for once in a while. But, I agree that #2. Ought be good layered with 3. I live in the US.

  • Patty P. says:

    Because of the notes, #3 is what is most appealing sounding. I don’t have much luck with layering 🙁

  • Francesca says:

    I’d have to play, and play I would! I would play with 2 + 3 starting very slow. Balance will be everything with these and playing is good, sometimes something very random and beautiful will emerge. And place will slightly alter these. I have a US address. The music concept appeals to me – well done!

  • mim says:

    Pavane No. 3 calls to me the most because I’m a warm, spicy, basenotes kinda gal! I’d be interested in combining it with each of the other two, especially No. 1 because I like the breath of fresh air feeling with notes that are very warm and close.
    Thanks for the reviews and draw!

  • Maureen says:

    Pavane No. 3 attracts me immediately because I love basenotes as well but they all sound lovely, especially the candles. Best of all is the concept of scents based on music! I would like to layer Numbers 1 & 2, or 1 with a dab of 3. I’m in the US. Thanks for the draw.

  • amy m. says:

    Pavane #3 appeals most to me as resins, spices, and woods are my preferred notes. To add a bit of lift, I’d be likely to blend a dab or two of #2 with #3. I live in the US. Thank you for the draw!

  • Ginny M says:

    Oooh, Pavane 3 is me all over — as I sit here in my chilly living room, wrapped in a cozy sweater! That said, I’d try layering it with No. 1, just to add a bit of orange to my spice! I live in the U.S.

  • breathesgelatin says:

    Pavane #2 seems to be calling my name as I love florals. Would like to try #2 and #3 together to make a floriental. I am in the US and thank you for the draw. 🙂

  • Steve A says:

    I would layer them all, you never know. The one I’d like to win is Pavane #3. U.S. Thanks for the chance.