ENCELADE by Marc Antoine Barrois: Interview and Fragrance Review
Marc-Antoine Barrois needs no long introduction for those following niche perfumery. B683 became ico...
Gala Step Parfums is a young Russian perfume house founded in 2023. Its emergence brought a breath of fresh air to the domestic niche scene: from its very first releases, the brand made a name for itself with bold compositions unafraid of experimentation. At the core of Gala Step's philosophy lies the idea of 'a step towards celebration' (from English: gala — celebration, step — step). Each fragrance here is designed not just to smell but to create a mood, be it the icy freshness of a winter morning or the warmth of a summer forest. The names of the compositions are short stories waiting to be deciphered, ranging from literary references to natural phenomena.
The brand's bestsellers have already gathered their fans. The icy transparency of Ice Element gives the sensation of mountain air, while Sparkling Forest sparkles with resinous pine and moss notes paired with citrus. The herbal bitterness of Herbe d'Absinthe evokes the wormwood fields of Provence, and Total White — a minimalist white musk with aquatic notes, perfect for layering. The literary series deserves special attention: Biblioteka Rudomino smells of old books, leather bindings, and iris, while Assol evokes sea breeze and blooming cherry plum. Oriental notes unfold in Persian Queen (saffron, oud, rose) and Spartacus (leather, tobacco, frankincense). Fans of unexpected contrasts will enjoy Vinil Smoke — a smoky vinyl accord with the bitterness of bergamot, and Mountain River — transparent water with mineral tones and greenery.
Gala Step Parfums belongs to the niche segment but remains affordable — a rare combination for a young brand. The compositions are built around unexpected central notes: wormwood, vinyl, aldehydes, leather. The perfumers working with the brand (names remain secret for now, but they are Russian masters) are clearly inspired by contemporary art and urban landscapes, yet they do not forget classical perfumery school. The fragrances are long-lasting (6–8 hours on skin) with moderate sillage — noticeable but not overpowering. The brand actively uses metaphors: for instance, 'Biblioteka Rudomino' is dedicated to the famous librarian and translator, and 'Mountain River' to a pure mountain stream.
The brand's lineup is versatile: there are distinctly feminine sweet compositions ('Assol', 'Persian Queen'), masculine leather-tobacco ones ('Spartacus', 'Vinil Smoke'), and transparent unisex options ('Ice Element', 'Total White'). There are no age restrictions — the fragrances are more suited to connoisseurs of non-trivial scents tired of mass market. Light aquatic and citrus notes are good for spring and summer (Mountain River, Sparkling Forest), while dense resinous and powdery ones (Persian Queen, Biblioteka Rudomino) warm you in the cold. The brand also offers interesting gift options: compact bottles and minimalist design with matte glass and laconic labels.
Since the brand is young and not yet widely distributed, the risk of counterfeits is low, but it is still worth purchasing fragrances only from official distributors. Original Gala Step Parfums bottles feature a matte coating, the name engraved on the bottom, and a serial number. All compositions are released in Eau de Parfum concentration (20–30% oil), ensuring richness. Before purchasing, we recommend studying the note descriptions on the official website or trusted perfume platforms: the brand actively updates its catalog, and you might miss limited editions. Gala Step Parfums is a name to watch: every new release proves that the Russian niche can surprise.
| Number of fragrances | 20 |
| Collections (0) | |
| Segment | Artisanal perfumery |
| Founded | 2023 |
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