Vintage Closet - L’Interdit by Givenchy
March 28th, 2007
I must say while I have tons of appreciation for all things vintage, I’m not a vintage kind of person. There’s nothing even remotely retro in my closet - quite the opposite, actually, my preference is for a practical, urban style. My perfume wardrobe is a whole other story, however. No, I don’t own a massive collection of vintage scents (not yet, anyway) but I have been acquiring little gems here and there, slowly but surely, although most of them are in sample forms. So today I create a cyber Vintage Closet where I’ll be sharing my impressions of my favorite vintage finds. Not every piece will be worn, alas, for only a limited amount are wearable for me but I can assure you they’ll be deeply admired and cherished.
The first piece I happily put in my Vintage Closet is L’Interdit by Givenchy. Created in 1957 for Audrey Hepburn by Francis Fabron (also the author of L’Air du Temps by Nina Ricci), the story of L’Interdit is indeed a forbidden one. The scent was discontinued and reintroduced in 2002 completely reformulated in a most deplorable way. As a side note, I wish I had the power to strictly forbid any types of reformulations of the old classics - they’re not to be messed with.
L’Interdit “embodies a woman with a natural sophistication, passionate, full of grace and a tad mischievous” (parfumsgivenchy.fr) which fits the image of Audrey Hepburn perfectly. The elegant, sophisticated effect is achieved by sweet, champagne-like aldehydic opening, velvety heart of peach and rose, and softly powdery orris and amber in the drydown. The mischievous part is played by strawberry - honeyed, jam-like, and rather laid-back. I call it a strawberry done right - there’s none of the trite juicy, over-ripe, candied sweet mess here. L’Interdit is sumptuous but in an elegant, refined way - something you’d wear on a first date when your agenda is to impress, slightly mystify, and keep certain things forbidden in a most innocent, playful way.
The vintage L’Interdit features the notes of aldehydes, mandarin, peach, bergamot, strawberry, jasmine, rose, jonquil, narcissus, lily of the valley, orris, ylang-ylang, sandalwood, vetiver, musk, amber, cistus, benzoin, tonka bean. It can be found on eBay. Please note the review is for vintage L’Interdit parfum which I find extremely wearable and timeless.
Image source: parfumdepub.net, corbis.com
Entry Filed under: Perfume Reviews, Vintage Closet
26 Comments Add your own
1. elena singh | March 29th, 2007 at 12:28 am
I recently sampled the reformulated L’Interdit and was utterly disappointed (well, if I was a king, it would be against the law to reformulate vintage perfumes in my kingdom!). I wish I could try the vintage version, as I have heard great things about it. Ah.
2. newproducts | March 29th, 2007 at 2:24 am
OMG, this one sounds fabulous! I must try to find the vintage version! Off to stalk ebay…
3. Marina | March 29th, 2007 at 6:37 am
Beautiful review!
I loved the words “not yet, anyway”…I can see a big vintage collection in your future, my dear. Slippery slop has been stepped upon, it’s all downhill from here
4. Elle | March 29th, 2007 at 7:15 am
Yep, as Marina says, you’ve started down that slippery slope.
I am eternally grateful to ebay for having been able to try vintage L’Interdit parfum. Gorgeous stuff.
5. March | March 29th, 2007 at 7:58 am
I *know* I have a vintage sample around here somewhere … off to find it! It sounds like something I would love. Thanks for the beautiful review.
6. Jennifer | March 29th, 2007 at 9:45 am
That sounds so delectabley gorgeous in the most refined way. I would love to smell a non-sugered strawberry scent. Out of curiousity what is the reformulated version like?
7. Ina | March 29th, 2007 at 9:53 am
Lena, isn’t it a shame? Why mess with perfection? Ugh.
8. Ina | March 29th, 2007 at 9:54 am
Minsun, it shows up on ebay quite often. Good luck!
9. Ina | March 29th, 2007 at 9:54 am
Marina, for you to rejoyce over this is only to be expected.
Ah, we shall see, we shall see…
10. Ina | March 29th, 2007 at 9:55 am
Elle, what would we do without ebay? What a scary thought.
11. Ina | March 29th, 2007 at 9:55 am
March, yes, I think you will.
12. Ina | March 29th, 2007 at 9:57 am
Jennifer, it’s been a while since I tried the reformulated version but I hear it’s not even remotely alike. If you read reviews on Makeupalley, most ppl are utterly devastated over the change. I’m now curious to smell it again.
13. Teri | March 29th, 2007 at 10:52 am
My mother wore this for years and I absolutely adore it. I’ve never tried the reformulation and never will. I just couldn’t bear the disappointment and the fact that it wouldn’t smell like Mom to me.
If I could have one perfume wish, it would be to have the original reissued. L’Interdit was every bit the lady, but not stuffy, or prim, or overbearing in any way.
14. violetnoir | March 29th, 2007 at 11:30 am
I spied a vintage bottle of this last year in a local perfumery for a friend, but I must say that I am in the minority here: The “new” version is gorgeous on me. That strawberry note sparkles in the late Spring sunshine.
Actually, there is much confusion about the new version. I have read that Givenchy created two versions of L’Interdit, one for Audrey Hepburn, and one for sale to the public. The “new” version may be the one he created for Audrey. Who knows, but I love it nonetheless.
Is that perfume heresay? This is the only re-formulation that I actually love? :):)
Hugs!
15. Ina | March 29th, 2007 at 11:30 am
Teri, what a shame they changed it, isn’t it? I heartily agree with your second statement. They do not make perfumes like L’Interdit any more, alas…
16. Ina | March 29th, 2007 at 11:32 am
Robin, how interesting! I had no idea. Hmm, now I must investigate. But you made me even more curious to resmell the new version.
17. Sara Tinkelman | March 31st, 2007 at 8:38 pm
As someone new to collecting vintage fragrances I’d love to know just how to determine whether or not an eBay offering is, in fact, vintage. I understand that Fleur de Rocaille was reformulated on or about 1993 and am hungering for a whif of the original stuff… ALSO… I remember well the gorgeous pic of Audry Hepburn that appeared in the New Yorker when I was a kid & L’Interdit was first introduced. Oh, that swan’s neck! If ever someone deserved her own fragrance. I’ve been visiting eBay & flirting w/ bidding & fear getting the reformulated version.
18. Ina | April 2nd, 2007 at 9:35 am
Sara, I’m not that knowledgeable about vintage but I hear Fleur de Rocaille wasn’t reformulated. The original was called Fleurs de Rocaille (with an “s”), the new one came out in 1993 as Fleur de Rocaille (without an “s’). You can still find the original on ebay, etc.
19. Audrey | April 25th, 2007 at 9:13 am
I went on ebay to find the original formula of l’interdit, but I only found the reformulated version. Can someone tells me where I can buy the flagrance of 1957? I’m wearing this perfume since 10 years and i’m beginning my last bottle….
20. Ina | April 25th, 2007 at 7:26 pm
Audrey, it shows up on ebay once in a while. Did you check the American ebay?
21. liz | May 4th, 2008 at 2:16 am
I agree with your description of the reformulation even though I’ve never smelled the original L’Interdit. Although the beginning notes are nice, they fade quickly and the drydown on the reformulation smells like Desenex foot ointment. I imagine the original was something like Creed Fleurissimo. They need to reformulate again and take it back to the original.
22. Judi | May 13th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
Yes, so sad.
I have worn the original since I was 19 and it has been the only perfume for me. I am now 60 years old and wearing vintage that I find on eBay and once in a parfum shop (I bought them out, but it was only the mini sample bottles). Sigh. Wishful thinking….
23. Linda Stephens | June 16th, 2008 at 8:41 am
I have tried the new remake of L ‘Interdit by Givenchy and hated it. I emailed the Givenchy Factory and they told me that they reintroduced the original formula in 2007. It can be had through Sephora.com. I think you can only get in by the internet but am not sure as I am out of the country and cannot check at Sephora. Anyway, to all L ‘Interdit lovers, good luck. I have been waiting a good long time for this.
24. Milena | June 25th, 2008 at 9:43 am
Hi, I bought a bottle of this on ebay (still waiting for it though) and wanted to confirm what Linda Stephens said, is it true that in 2007 they reintroduced the original? Are the new bottles on ebay which version or how can I tell? Thanks to anyone who can share some information! Milena
25. Landry | July 17th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
I think I’m the only one on the planet who prefers the reformulation (squarish bottle; red label)! Ordered L’Interdit recently from Sephora and sent it back today - it must be the original. It simply smells like baby powder on my skin. Somehow the reformulation worked better with my chemistry. Go figure. Don’t stone me!
26. Nana | September 5th, 2008 at 9:12 am
Just one sealed bottle 1/4 oz of L’interdit left in the closet if anyone is interested in seeing a picture.Better than gold dust!!
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