French fashion giant Givenchy has opened a new chapter in its fragrance story with a modern twist on its first ever scent. Editor Trudi Brewer explores the forbidden world of L'Interdit.
Givenchy L'Interdit Eau De Parfum from $113.
More than 60 years after the launch of the original fragrance, Givenchy has reimagined L'Interdit, the luminous floral scent designer Hubert de Givenchy was inspired to create by Hollywood star Audrey Hepburn. It’s said that when in 1957 Givenchy asked Hepburn's permission to market the fragrance he had created exclusively for her, she playfully replied "Je vous l'interdis!" ("I forbid you!"). Today this 2018 classic perfume is fronted by another gamine actress, Rooney Mara, who embodies Hepburn's spirit in the captivating advertising campaign shot in a disused Parisian metro station.
Here’s what you can expect once you lift the lid.
What is it?
L'Interdit is described as a "magnificent, fearless fragrance" that is "devastatingly elegant" and "a new kind of femininity". This new 2018 scent (pronounced ‘Lon-ter-dee’ and means not allowed in English) builds on the luminous bouquet of the original but takes it to a new, darker place, thanks to the contrast of white florals with earthy, seductive base notes.
What's in it?
Created by three master perfumers Dominique Ropion, Anne Flipo and Fanny Bal, and features a tailor-made extract of orange blossom, which is paired with jasmine and tuberose to create a delicate, lasting floral bouquet. The dark undertone comes from the addition of earthy vetiver root and patchouli, making it a unique, and one of this seasons most unforgettable 'woody floral' scents. This is the perfume equivalent of styling a pretty floral dress with a leather biker jacket – a masterclass in edgy femininity.
Why do we like it?
L'Interdit – Givenchy's first-ever scent – launched at a time when women were discovering new freedoms and experiencing previously forbidden sensations. The 2018 version celebrates the grace and femininity of the original while giving the wearer an additional aura of strength and mystery. The beautifully simple square bottle with rounded edges is a clear tribute to the 1957 design. Small enough to carry in your handbag, for that moment you need to feel vibrant and alive - and classic enough to stand out on your vanity when you want to reach for a spritz of empowerment for a woman on the go.
Givenchy L'Interdit EDP is available in 80ml, 50ml and 35ml priced from $113.