Who am I?

Iā€™m David, an Australian-born self-taught artisanal perfumer with a focus on perfumes as an art form rather than a mass-produced commercial product.

What is Rivendare?

I created Rivendare to explore fun, dynamic concepts, and to showcase unique materials, elaborate accords, and general creativity in a lighthearted way, with a focus on simply enjoying the spectacle, rather than worrying about external expectations. It's not about making a statement, it's just about creating what I find enjoyable and memorable, telling stories, and fostering the sense of childlike wonder that seems to be lacking in commercial perfumery today.

What makes Rivendare different?

Many designer brands sacrifice artistry for profit, tragically reducing perfumery to little more than a fashion accessory or status symbol. Just take a look at how many brands nowadays are lying about the ingredients they use, overcharging customers, and selling the same uninspired, rehashed garbage over and over again, or what they call 'flankers'... Not to mention the social and political movements that have permeated their toxic marketing strategies in recent years.

I believe the art of perfumery should be freed from these constraints, starting with a shift in the metrics we use to describe quality. Perfumery isn't about projection or longevity, nor the compliments you receive from the opposite sex, but by its ability to inspire, captivate, and transport us. In short, Rivendare is a breath of fresh air, a place where individual creativity may thrive without the weight of financial incentives, hidden agendas, or the pervasive cynicism we face in our modern consumeristic society.

Why are these perfumes so affordable despite being artisanal?

These perfumes are not like the typical branded products which charge markups in excess of 1000%. I aim for a margin of 50% on my material investment per bottle, not including time and labour, which is just enough to sustain myself and continue creating. I also make my own tinctures from scratch to reduce unnecessary costs while ensuring top quality.

What are the main themes/styles?

When I first started exploring artisanal perfumery, I noticed many brands leaned quite heavily on the archetypical Arabic style. I found myself asking, just how many more rose-oud perfumes do we actually need?

While I thoroughly enjoy my own collection of Eastern fragrances, these traditions aren't the only ones that should be explored by modern artisans, which is why Rivendare sets out to offer an experimental and modernised take on traditional Western perfumery instead.

What's the meaning of the subtext on the bottle labels?

This reflects the extensive use of unconventional and unique ingredients, especially natural animalics, which are a hallmark of artisanal quality due to requiring the costly, labour intensive process of sourcing and sampling small-batch ingredients not available for mainstream commercial use.

Whether you're a curious newcomer or a seasoned collector, these exotic materials are carefully selected and balanced to ensure approachability and satisfaction across all experience levels.

For all other questions and inquiries

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