Gibeon by Xerjoff: The Powdery Floral from the Stars
Written by Kristina Kybartaite-Damule
Xerjoff has added a new perfume, Gibeon, to its Shooting Stars collection – a line that continues to stand out for its cosmic inspiration and storytelling.
Photo credit: Instagram / @kristinakii.scents
Shooting Stars is probably my favorite collection from Xerjoff. As much as I adore the luxuriousness of 17/17, the high quality oud compositions in Oud Stars, and the alchemy feeling in K Collection, Shooting Stars touches the dreamy and romantic side of mine. Perfumes in this line are named after the meteorites that have fallen to earth throughout the course of history, and the collection itself was inspired by the Sikhote-Alin meteorite that fell in 1947, in Siberia. What is even more fascinating is that every bottle from Shooting Stars comes with a certified fragment of the aforementioned meteorite, giving you an opportunity to touch a little part of the cosmos. How cool is that?
There is something deeply poetic about wearing a perfume that carries a story measured not in years, but in millennia. These meteorites traveled through space long before reaching our planet, and translating that journey into scent turns perfume into more than a sensory experience – it becomes a bridge between science, history, and sentiment.
Gibeon is the 17th perfume in the collection, and the brand says it was named after a meteorite with a fascinating story.
“Its prehistoric crash-landing in Namibia scattered iron fragments across the Kalahari desert, and it wasn’t until 1836 that Western scientists first documented it – but the local Nama people had been crafting spearheads and tools from it for centuries, perhaps even millennia,” Xerjoff notes.
I was lucky to smell Gibeon for the first time in Cannes last September, where Xerjoff introduced the upcoming perfumes for the first half of the year. This scent instantly became my favorite, and since that first encounter, I kept thinking about it, counting the days until the official launch.
The perfume opens with a subtle hint of neroli, but quickly evolves into powdery, musky orris, blended with a generous dose of Bulgarian rose. The neroli in the opening feels luminous and airy; it introduces the composition without overpowering it. Within minutes, the heart unfolds into a beautifully textured floral accord where the orris takes the lead, bringing its creamy, powdery elegance.
To me, it has a slightly vintage vibe – yet it remains perfectly suitable for modern times. Perhaps it is the way the rose is treated here: not overly fresh or dewy, but rather plush, velvety, and slightly nostalgic, reminiscent of classic perfumery, where florals were rich, expressive, and unapologetically present. At the same time, the musk and subtle woody nuances give it a contemporary touch that prevents it from feeling dated.
As the fragrance develops further on the skin, the patchouli in the heart becomes more noticeable, adding depth and a gentle earthiness that balances the sweetness of the florals. It never feels dominant, but instead acts as a quiet anchor, grounding the composition and enhancing its elegance. The interplay between powdery orris, lush rose, and soft woods feels refined, comforting, and incredibly addictive.
The velvety, powdery composition of orris and rose remains the most prominent facet of the fragrance throughout the wear, and after a few hours, a soft, sweet, warm vanilla slowly emerges to close the scent. This vanilla is not gourmand or overly sugary; instead, it feels smooth and enveloping, adding a subtle creaminess that enhances the floral heart rather than overshadowing it.
Because of the floral focus, some might say this perfume leans more feminine, but I think it can easily be unisex. The powdery iris, balanced by musk, woods, and patchouli, gives it a versatility that transcends traditional gender categories. All the notes are wonderfully balanced, creating a scent that I could easily see as signature-worthy – the type of perfume that becomes part of someone’s identity rather than just an accessory.
The longevity and projection, as usual for Xerjoff, are quite strong, especially on clothes. On skin, it maintains a beautiful presence for hours, gradually transitioning from a radiant floral aura to a soft, lingering trail that stays noticeable well into the evening.
Gibeon is a perfume that captures the essence of Shooting Stars perfectly – emotional, elegant, and infused with a sense of wonder. For those who appreciate powdery florals with depth, sophistication, and a story to tell, Gibeon is undoubtedly one of Xerjoff’s most memorable recent creations.