Dawn

Dawn by Frederic Malle presents a deeply spiritual and austere olfactory journey, centered around olibanum (frankincense) and a refined oud note. The opening features a delicate balance of pink pepper, Turkish rose, and olibanum, creating an aromatic, fresh-spicy start that feels almost like light filtering through dust-laden air. The development is slow and nuanced—initially desaturated and quietly complex—before settling into a long, noble drydown where smoky, balsamic labdanum, vetiver, and a dry woody amber unfold. The oud is present but not dominant; it’s more a haunting, resinous memory than a fatty animalic core, and its integration with frankincense gives the fragrance a resolute, ritualistic quality. It evokes old stone buildings, candlelit churches, and stillness in cold winter light. Longevity and sillage are strong, with many noting over ten hours of wear that extend even to clothing. The scent maintains coherence, cleanliness, and deliberate refinement throughout.