Dawn
“Dawn by Frederic Malle is a Oriental Woody fragrance for women and men”
The Quick Read
Well loved by wearers — a amber, oud composition with a woody undertone. Voted best for fall and winter wear — and genuinely unisex.
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Dawn by Frederic Malle, launched in 2018 and crafted by perfumer Carlos Benaïm, is an Oriental Woody fragrance that captures the essence of transition — from night to day, from cool darkness to warm light. The composition opens with pink pepper, creating a fresh spicy note that quickly gives way to a heart of Turkish rose and olibanum (frankincense), adding depth and warmth. The base notes of oud, amber, labdanum, vetiver, oakmoss, cedar, and ambroxan create an earthy and woody foundation that lingers with a subtle smokiness.
Composition & Character
Notes Pyramid
Top
Opening
Heart
The Soul
Main Accords
When to Wear
Who Wears It
How It Wears
Application Tips
Apply Dawn sparingly at first to allow its complex layers to unfold gradually. The pink pepper top note fades quickly, but the base notes take about an hour to fully settle on the skin, making it perfect for a day that starts cool and warms up.
Carlos Benaïm
Founding perfumer · 189 fragrances · b. 1949 · Moroccan-French
“The best fragrances are the ones that feel like they've always existed.”
Carlos Benaïm is a master perfumer at IFF whose name may not be widely recognized outside the industry, yet his creations have shaped the olfactory landscape of the past four decades. Born in Tangier and raised between Morocco and Paris, he brings a multicultural sensibility to his work. He is the co-creator of iconic fragrances including Ralph Lauren Polo, Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue, and numerous compositions for Dior and YSL. Benaïm is revered within the trade as a perfumer's perfumer — technically flawless, endlessly creative.
Also created
Designer Frederic Malle
More from Frederic Malle
Edited by Scentsation Editorial
The story behind the bottle.
The first sip of coffee in a quiet café, where the scent of warm spices and woody notes intertwine with the subtle hum of early morning activity.
Fig. 01 — Dawn, Frederic Malle
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