Givenchy III

The prettiest aldehyde I've encountered. Truly lovely, better even than L'Interdit! G3 opens with the expected aldehyde clarion, but it is a softer accord than is generally found. Almost immediately, this begins to die down, leaving gentle, soapy oakmoss, the merest hint of carnation, and soft, warm, narcissus. The heart fades very quickly- too quickly! But the dry down is even better. Clear, clean jasmine, not at all indolic, LoV, a touch of hyacinth. I am not finding any rose, which is usually quite forward on my skin. Nor am I finding any fruit (but then, I rarely do). As gardenia absolu does not exist, tuberose is used as a substitute- but it is a faint, beautifully blended tuberose that gives the impression that a soft cool breeze is sighing intermittently through the warmer white flowers...this is a gentle, relaxing, and enjoyable scent. The dry down is a touch sweet, compared to many aldehydes. I find it refreshing, in the sense that this is, for me, a rejuvenating scent, one that charges the batteries, heralds the end of a period of tension, and allows me to feel like I can stop, breathe deeply, and relax. It is worth mentioning that I have to pretty much douse myself to get G3 to stick around long enough for me to enjoy the dry down. Even so, it remains soft. I am getting good sillage, within arms length, but I suspect it is faint enough that while it registers as a pleasant aura, it is unlikely to be identified as perfume. I'm okay with that! But a small sample might not provide one with enough of the perfume to really experience the full evolution. I have to apply a line of scent to my entire inner forearm, from wrist to elbow, to get the scent strong enough for me to perceive the dry down phase. I am using a splash, so this may be different for those who own a spray bottle. G3 is fresh, clean, gentle, and so very very pretty. It's also quite inexpensive online. My 4oz bottle ran $15 and appears to be in perfect condition. But please do be aware that the treatment of vintages affects how they breakdown, and notes and longevity can be affected. Avoid discolored jus, and anything missing more than 25% of the fluid. Discoloration indicates overheating of the jus- either sun damage or placement over a heating vent. The emptier a bottle is, the greater the air exposure the remaining liquid has. Think of it this way: If a bottle remains untouched for forty years, and is missing only a little fluid, then the top layer of the jus will evaporate into that air, moistening it, and preventing further degradation. The top quarter inch or so will be damaged, but when the bottle is jostled during a sale, it will mix back into the rest, and will only slightly lessen the quality of the jus overall. But the more air in the bottle, the greater the amount of jus that will have broken down, and the more noticeable the effect will be once the fluid is mixed. And if a bottle is jostled a lot over many years, even a small amount of air in the bottle can then affect the entire bottle. Obviously, a newer vintage will have less damage than an older vintage, and while considered less of a collector's item, if there has been no reformulation, the perfume itself will be of equal or better quality. Rather than going for the oldest bottle, try the newest, pre-reformulation. If you really crave the old bottle for itself, buy an empty! Also, decanting jus into a bottle with less air exposure can help to protect what remains. There are plenty of attractive atomizers available! Buying vintage is always a gamble, hopefully this will help.

(Comparison of the EdT and Extrait concentrations, both bottles pre-1990 from the Parfums Givenchy era) Celestial. Ethereal. Elysian. Diaphanous. I’m not going to run out of words to describe the experience that is Givenchy III. Every time I wear it I feel like my body and soul are floating through the world on a joyous breeze. It doesn’t start off that way, though. In both the EdT and the Extrait the galbanum opening is bracingly bitter. It’s not stiff or impenetrable, it feels featherweight, but it is very striking. Particularly in the Extrait, the bitterness is so much it can almost be felt in the back of the throat. But this opening feels cleansing, not uncomfortably scrubbing. Long before the Extrait has released me from the galbanum the EdT moves on to the rose, jasmine, and muguet heart that is simply divine. It is so rich, yet weightless and transparent it presents like the spirits of the flowers rather than a bouquet. Rosey, heady, musky, just a bit green still, a touch creamy and almost imperceptibly fruity. It’s so good. The Extrait gets there eventually, but its heart layer is more fruity floral than strictly floral like the EdT. Mists of mandarin and peach juices hang like a haze over beautiful green roses and a creamy muguet - ok, I need a break from smelling III otherwise I might just pass out in ecstasy. There have been some key differences so far between the EdT and Extrait, and in the final dry down they differ still. Additionally, it’s obvious but shouldn’t go unsaid that the Extrait is richer and more vibrant throughout its life than the EdT. In the dry down, the orris is the star of this layer in both concentrations. It is not cool or powdery like we would normally associate with orris, it’s a neutral temperature silk bathrobe that adds to the feeling of being freshly cleansed and weightless. This metaphor is very intentional because the oakmoss in both concentrations is dialed in perfectly, which evokes the “clean” and “of the earth” feeling while also coming across as damp and misty - stepping out of the shower - like real-deal oakmoss does so well. In the Extrait when the creamy sandalwood at long last makes its appearance, the final skin scent is an embrace of gentle and familiar comfort. It’s in this final stage that the Extrait has more woody warmth than the EdT, the latter opting to hold on to the cooler oakmoss a bit longer but push forward the dry, beige warmth of patchouli instead of sandalwood. Any day wearing III is a lovely day. Though I never forget it, every time I wear it I still balk at how well it suspends itself in the air. This ability to maintain richness without any physical texture or weight at all is a miracle of modern perfumery. III is a legendary classic of the floral chypre genre.

I bought a vintage miniature of Givenchy III, as I was keen to smell this classic green chypre, especially after Luca Turin's glowing review. My bottle is unboxed, and the liquid is very dark, but as it is the pure parfum, the intensity is to be expected. After the intense bitter smokiness of the opening subsides, the essence of this scent is still there - an old-fashioned (in the best way!) mossy green chypre, complete with its aldehydic opening and rich white floral accords. There is a hint of peach in the opening, but I feel that the fruity notes of my sample haven't remained intact. The wonderfully vintage floral heart is ladylike and elegant - rich hyacinth is the most prominent note, with non-indolic jasmine and a hint of narcissus rounding it out. As it dries down further, powdery rose emerges, grounded by soft sandalwood (beautiful quality here, unlike the sandalwood substitute in many modern fragrances). The base is earthy and dirty - giving a gorgeous leathery quality that complements the aldehydic florals beautifully. It is very green - rich and mossy, thanks to in part the now-restricted oakmoss note, as well as the vetiver, patchouli and amber. I am sensitive to patchouli, and often dislike it in modern scents (it is often used too liberally with too few other ingredients), but in a good old-fashioned classic chypre such as this, it plays its part and complements the other notes. The aldehydic-floral accords lasts for hours, complemented perfectly by the divine earthy base. It eventually fades to a warm, ambery skin scent by the end of the day. Sillage is moderate, and longevity is very impressive. This is a beautiful example of a chypre, and has the complexity and high quality typical of such scents from its vintage. A classic, elegant, feminine chypre, it could now be comfortably worn by men, given the changes in perfume trends and tastes, as Glyph below points out. A true beauty from another era. 5/5.

GIVENCHY III (Vintage formula) 1970 An exquisite Chypre-floral-green creation, from the golden era. GIVENCHY III, Opens in a beautiful symphony of harmonious herbal, fresh and green accords of galbanum and gardenia under a veil of refined, slightly soapy aldehydes that intertwine with citrus notes of mandarin and the florality of bergamot. Other fruity and floral notes also accompany in a subtle way, and flirt with the elegance of this sophisticated Chypre; quickly giving way to an absolutely floral-white-green heart, of exquisite opulence, evoking an aura of sensuality and femininity. Within the large bouquet are the sweet non-indolic jasmines, a green touch of Hyacinth, the intoxicating narcissus intertwined with the bright and spicy carnation, creating the sensation of a living and vibrant nature. However, small fresh, soft, watery and slightly soapy tones of the lilies of the valley, leave something lighter and more sophisticated to that opulent weight of the flowers; evoking cleanliness and purity, while soft powdery nuances of iris and rose emerge that are perfectly interwoven, emanating the sublime beauty of a bygone era. As the perfume evolves, the oakmoss/absolute begins to emerge with more prominence, this moss is of very good quality!accompanied by other woods such as earthy, sweet patchouli, which merge with a somewhat dry and powdery vetiver, extending into perfect amber and leathery accords (ambergris and castoreum), soft but very present, anchoring in a warm and balsamic halo of Myrrh. Imparting depth, intensity, character and refinement to the composition. The substantivity on my skin reaches 8 hours. Diffusion is moderate with mild sillage. Givenchy III is an absolutely sublime creation! Perfumes like GIII are what keep me faithful to perfumery as an art. This wonderful emblematic of the house of Givenchy, was considered one of the best exponents of the Chypre-verde olfactory family.

Give this emerald back to me! Let me tell you, I HATE coconut and I absolutely HATE aldehyde, STILL I love this! You know why? Because I don't feel any of this too , because is very good blend. I think this perfume was the first feminist perfume made by RC. I don't know how much FL participated in this jewelry but I feel the powerful thunder of RC. It has the same power and determination as Arrogance, but it's lighter it doesn't freeze you, it doesn't scare you, it's just there to smell and admire it.In his time it was evening perfume, by the way I hate Marketing pictures have nothing to do with perfume,so when I went to the concerts of the EU Feminist League back in the 80's, you could smell Givenchy three by three blocks away at that time we didn't wear it, even though I loved it, because it seemed ultra used in my circles, and that's where my social life revolved, so I used to enjoy it at home or when I went out to the movies or in public places. When it started disappearing in the 90's from everyone's throat, I wore it like crazy. I can't describe the smell to you because it's hard to decompose and it doesn't smell like anything I know, someone said Prada d Iris .... hmm not really they may have been inspired by Givenchy III but it's not the same. What can I say, if you catch it try it! It is a fine perfume, sophisticated but green and strong, it is a perfume for a feminist cattle lady, who respects himself, who imposes respect and who when she steps in a room arouses a stream of:she is? Wow is younger that I expected! So much power and authority at her age huh! Nooo I heard she eat bimbos for breakfast and drinks the envy and disperation of her enemies.

What a beautiful fragrance III is. I am enraptured...so many vintage fragrances are heavenly, and the more I smell and wear the more I turn my nose up at mass market releases! Why could I have not been born in the 50s? Then I could have FBs of all these wonderous juices... When I first smelled the partial mini my Mother gave me, since Action swappwed her two (Thanks Mari!), I thought maybe it had "turned"~it was so bitter and sharp. Once applied to skin, it changes to a bright citrus zestiness. The aldehydes here are deceptive, almost too much; after that though it is magical! Then, as if the dark clouds had passed from the face of the sun; I was greeted with the most spectacular floral aura of hyacinth (gorgeous), muguet(transparent green) and full roses and sultry jasmine...I began to salivate it smelled so very heavenly!! I felt as if I had rolled naked in fresh flowers. Made in 1970, it is still a stunner in 2010-that is quality, that is Givenchy! The drydown does another somersault from floral paradise to warm, mossy and woody. It is like wearing three different scents and only having to spray one on, miraculous! Perhaps this smelled a lot like everything else (back then), but now it is an icon... Sillage: very good Longevity: great Overall: 4.25/5 I used to think I had many great scents, but you ladies and your vintages have opened my eyes (and nostrils!), thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the gifts, minis and samples! You have made me a rich man, in fragrances and friends... :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-)

How on earth did I go from candy-gourmands like Fantasy and Pink Sugar to vintage greens?? I have no idea... but once I fell down that rabbit hole, I have no intention of going back up! ;) I've always been a fan of Old Hollywood and Art Deco, so vintage perfumes make sense. But why do I crave the beautiful, old, dark, green, animalic, leather, aldehyde/soapy ones? I have no idea, but vintage scents comfort me, make me feel elegant-- even in sweat pants in the middle of winter while I'm reading a Jean Harlow bio. I have several GIII bottles of EDT in vintage form. One sprays continuously (2oz), two darker splashes (2 oz and 4 oz), and a lighter juice EDT (100ml) spray... and I even have the Mythos whatever of the recent formula. (The Mythos captures only the drydown of vintage GIII-- which I still like, but the first 10 minutes of vintage GIII is amaze-balls) This is so woody, it can come across as maple-syrupy and very thick, esp if sprayed heavy. GIII is full of aldehydes, vintage funk-dust, moss, greenery (I love galbanium), and it's DRY. It's cold, but there is something comforting (warm-ish) IMO. I'm obsessed with this... it's the perfect green aldehyde vintage scent. Sits right there with Madame Rochas, Miss Dior vintage EDT and parfum, Bandit, Vol de Nuit, Caleche, etc... Ohhh.... the lightest colored juice in a 100ml EDT bottle I just got today is less heavy/green (light yellow liquid as opposed to a dark tan/brown) and I get much more citrus & peach! Very Mitsouko-like, but a happy brighter moss.

Oh my goodness. What can I say or add to the many eloquent reviewers who've already posted? Well, firstly, I'm old. Maybe I don't look or feel old and maybe I don't want to admit that I'm old, but I'm vintage 1954, so there you have it. Secondly, my collection is stupid-large, which means I've spent way too much money and have so many bottles/ounces that they will exist for years after I'm gone. (How I'll disburse them before or bequeath them after has yet to be decided). So I've sniffed, own(ed) and worn more fragrances than most of y'all ever have or will. OK. That said, Givenchy III is a chypre masterpiece, a glorious, deep and venerable woody green that, in (my bottle of) parfum concentration, honors, defines and provides an extraordinary glimpse of a time before most of our experience or memory. Givenchy III exemplifies a time when the scent of green freshness was not only symbolic of springtime, it was also hugely symbolic of rebirth, of continuity, of victory over the hated wartime oppressor; a proud symbol of hope and regeneration. After WWII, Grace Kelly became a princess and Audrey Hepburn's childhood WWII experience as a young, starved Belgian ballet student became public knowledge. Givenchy III isn't just a beautifully contemporary and definitive chypre fragrance, it's a piece of history deserving of both honor and respect.

I purchased a vintage edt of this and a mini perfume. On initial application, of either strength, the galbanum is so strong it is almost overwhelming. Fortunately, within a few minutes that calms down and it becomes very green, mossy, and earthy. Then the most beautiful, honeyed florals come through. The dry down is a wonderful woody, slight patchouli, ambery scent with a lovely incense note from the vetiver. It's really beautiful. This is a strong fragrance, in either strength, that is long lasting with good silage. I think this is a great fragrance that can be worn anytime, anywhere, though I prefer to wear it in the early spring or fall. I find that the florals are more prominent then. Edit - I just purchased a Mystiques version of this scent at a great price, but while it smells like a slightly less rich version of this scent, it's still very good. It just doesn't have the silage or longevity of the original blend. Still, for those who want to try this scent, and can't seem to find it at a reasonable price, that might be a good alternative. Of course, there are still plenty of mini parfums available out there to try.

I wish everyone could just give their opinion of a fragrance without disputing other reviews. The "reminds me" choices are not supposed to be "exact duplications". They are "reminders". And people wouldn't say it reminds them of something if it didn't. We have to keep in mind that noses all work differently. We all smell different things. Certain notes are more amplified to some and less to others. Some may be anosmic or hyposmic to certain notes so it makes it smell differently. Scent is very subjective and unless we can jump into someone else's body, we don't know how it smells to them. But if you don't agree with the "reminds me of" just click no. That is why it is there. Everything doesn't have to be a battle of who is right. Sorry, I just needed to get this off my chest. Anyway, Givenchy III is a perfectly orchestrated and balanced chypre and one of the great aldehydic chypres of the 70s. If you are a fan of this style fragrance and haven't tried it, you're really missing out.

So yesterday I was in a big Sephora here in Paris and I was delighted to see that this one actually had Givenchy III (EdT). I have a mini vintage sample of the EdT and I love it, very 70s, very galbanum-rich and wonderfully fresh. I was stunned by the "new" Givenchy III (I think it was reformulated in 2007?). The opening wasn't green at all - intense, yes, but in a different way than the original. I'm not that good at describing notes yet, but to me it smelled almost like it was the notes of the original in reverse. It started very growly and animalic and eventually dried down to beautiful floral with a very light amount of galbanum. It was shocking and actually beautiful in its own way, but what a strange surprise! When I got home, I tested my vintage one again, to make sure I hadn't been mis-remembering it. I hadn't. My sample is super green, and smells related to, but quite different, than the new one. Is this just my nose being weird or has anyone else noticed this?

My first purchase at an fragrance auction ended two days ago and today the vintage bottle of GIII, a 100ml splash EdC, came in the mail. I could not wait to try it and it was even better than I hoped for. I have a new one too but, and I am glad ofcourse for this purchase, but also a bit sadened of what has happened to all the remakes of some of these classic brands. As I now have the vintage one on my left arm and the new on the right I can now compare after waiting 15-20 minutes for both of them to get warmed up by my skin. The vintage one is so warm, there is nothing harsh, I do not know how to describe it other than it ́s "seamless". I love this! The new one is sharper and more in your face. Even as it warms up it takes much longer time to get to the pleasent stages of the composition. I am glad to have both but I will keep this vintage for those "rainy days and mondays" when I it ́s just me, my dog and the open fire.

I wore this to my first "party" when I was 13, my aunt let me try a few spritzes and off I went. I had so much fun and danced so much that, many years later, I sought one bottle. I was dismayed to learn it had been discontinued and worse yet, reformulated. You know, oakmoss can cause emphysema, brain damage, etc. I was extremely lucky to score 1 oz of the pure parfum at a local kiosk and could not contain my excitement. A month later the same guy calls me with a bottle of EDT, snatched it up too. The difference between the two is astonishing, they are two very different frags. The parfum goes green, but evolves darkly, smells damp and not leathery, I cannot detect any separate notes, just a feeling of momentary peace before something calamitous. You can feel the tension, the forest is getting dark... The EDT is as lovely as I remember it, a golden and light green halo of expectations and hopes. Both are beautiful

This is my absolute favourite perfume and it has been my signature scent since I was 21. I discovered it by accident - a friend of mine was going on holiday and I asked her to bring me back a bottle of 'Eau de Givenchy'. When she returned 2 weeks later, she gave me a bottle of Givenchy III and apologised, explaining she'd forgotten what I'd asked for. I had a quick spray, not expecting to like it and immediately fell in love, thanking her for her mistake. I was heartbroken when Givenchy stopped making this perfume about 10 years ago but they apparently listened to its many fans and reintroduced it about 3 years ago, but only available in Harrods (I believe it is now more widely available?). I now have a brand new bottle and use it for special occasions, or when I need cheering up - it never fails to lift my spirits and make me feel totally wrapped up in a luxurious veil of scent. Thank you Givenchy!

I bought one of the original bottles of this famous floral/green chypre on ebay. The initial blast of this seemed somewhat bitter for about the first five seconds, but then it settles down to a very pleasant peachy and floral accord, and then even later it dries down in typical (heavenly) chypre fashion, with oakmoss and patchouli and vetiver. Overall I like this very much, and it lasts quite a long time. The thick golden cap on this bottle from the early 1970s made me immediately think of the perfumes on my grandmother's dresser, but the fragrance is actually not heavily feminine. It leans a little that way, but it's easily wearable by a man (though it's very much a day scent for shoulder seasons for whomever wears it). As Luca Turin has noted, most of the great designer feminine scents from mid-century are now pretty wearable by men, given how tastes in fragrances have changed.

Firstly and most importantly, a note to Fragrantica staff. I have always wondered what the hell happened in the process of you copying these pyramids from the late Scentdirect.com. I mean, there are so many fragrances here, in which the original castoreum note is translated into coconut. LOL. Just like with this one! What the fu*k? Explanation, please!! :-) This is a great site in it's own right, but this castoreum-coconut mix up has always taken the toll when it comes to credibility. -------- Givenchy III is a gorgeous, fertile green, soapy chypre, also very suitable for men, too. In modest dozes, of course. On a woman, this is a knockout punch and goodnight, at least for a chap like myself. Let me make this clear one more time: this scent has no coconut whatsoever. Castoreum, probably. At least Scentdirect.com thought so, when it was still alive. (approximately 10 years ago)

Givenchy lll is my all time favourite fragrance and was my "one and only" until it was discontinued. I have been in perfume limbo ever since, vainly searching for a replacement and finding the re-issued version a pale imitation without the depth and warmth of the original. Having just discovered this site I have been inspired by the outpourings of love and nostalgia and the beautiful and evocative descriptions of this wonderful scent. I have a tiny bottle of the perfume which I was afraid to use in case I could never find a supply and that I would lose the memory of it forever.I put some on yesterday and could not stop sniffing my wrists, it was still present 10 hours later! I have decided I must have a new supply and have just successfully bid for 50ml EDT on eBAY , plus a lovely little travel coffret which I remember from the eighties. Can't wait to have a good spray!!

I found a full 100 ml eau de toilette in a bag of vintage perfumes I got from a friend at work. On my skin I can initially sense a bit of green citrus notes and some gardenia, but the galbanum definitely dominates. After around 30 minutes hyacinth and lily-of-the-valley emerges, together with a strong oakmoss. The drydown is a very beautiful transition towards warm, amber woodiness. This is a beautiful, green 70s chypre. To me it is quite amazing how distinct the notes I can detect are, and also the III (!) stages in the structure, which it shares with the other vintage chypres I have tried so far. It makes me feel more drawn to vintage perfumes, now. The sillage on my skin is moderate, not in your face, but distinctly there, and longevity is long, almost 10hrs. I am so thankful to M. at work for giving me the possibility to own this Beauty!

The perfume opens with a strong dose of citrus and galbanum that give a slight 'green' feeling, III would quickly toned down into elegance with more floral added - but still controlled by the citrus and galbanum, which is good to hold the floral from becoming too excessive - think about mass-destruction floral; and after an hour or two, the basenotes of sandalwood and oakmoss starts to appeared and gives a little 'masculine' flavor into this III (but also gives somehow 'cosmetic' smells, almost like a lipstick), which is good since that makes me very sure that III is leaning more into unisex rather than pure feminine, and still retain a pure elegance of the old Givenchy's - which I rarely seen nowadays in mainstream perfumes. a true masterpiece that an avid collectors need at least a bottle in their collection

If one would compare the re-iteration with the original, then the differences would be so great as naming the reformulation the same would do so much injustice. Galbanum was the pride of the 70s but disappointingly the reformulation elevates the facets of hyacinth and peach which, even in tremendous amounts, would not surpass the beauty of the resin. The original doesn't have the brashness of the new one, rather it announces itself stealthily although assuredly and beautifully through the song of the galbanum together with the impeccable nuances of hyacinth, peach and myrrh. Givenchy III's verdancy does not emulate a harshness found peculiar in green perfumes, this one is preferably noble, moderation-at-best and style inimitable. I can't wait to get my hands on vintage Y, such beauties lost in time.

This is the princess of greens, chanel no 19 being the queen! If you love moss than chances are you will love this. It smells like if you are walking through the woods after it rained and you pick up a giant handful of wet moss and big chunks of black soil is falling off and dangling from the moss. It's soily, mossy, with a nice dose of bergamot. Sparkly aldehydes and galbamum. Myrrh gives this a dark smoky touch. It's strong at first then smoothes out and softens. Very dense, dark, green, and bergamot adds some freshness lightening some of the darkness. Very earthy and very beautiful. I find it unisex. Longevity is about an hour , it's possible i become nose blind. Sillage is moderate at first then sits close to the skin making this appropriate to wear in just about any situation. :)

This review is for the new, reformulated Givenchy III. In my opinion, it's very much like the original, and I know this because I have the original and can vouch for its provenance, and I also have the new one. The opening is where I believe the difference lies. The original opened with much more subtlety, and had an enduring earthiness, a humid green accord, hard to describe it and do it justice. The current version opens up with a slightly quinine/cola sizzle, but then settles into the familiar Givenchy III. Either way, the current version lives up to the original, it's elegant, green/woody, enduring and feminine but much more so in an ethereal mossy way, not a girlie floral. So glad I finally decided to buy it, I had been eyeing it for months and was reluctant to learn its fate.

I got one of those very vintage minis that are everywhere. I recently tested Ysatis and must say this reminds me of a much more wearable version of Ysatis. It’s softer, less bitter, I get more florals and... soap? Yeah I think this reminds me of a vintage soap I used to know. I really like it. I’d say Givenchy III is my favorite out of the vintage “scents that smell similar.” It feels so classic. I’m not sure I want to wear this every day but I feel like I require a bottle of this on hand for those times I need to transport to another era. I think my vintage mini may have lost some potency as this isn’t very loud or long lasting. I remember this scent from my childhood. I believe my grandmother or aunt wore it. I’m 38 and I want to wear it. I guess that speaks to its timelessness!

Fresh, classic, clean. The green vibe in Givenchy III is sophisticated without being stuffy. Occasionally oakmoss can go a little sour on my skin, however Givenchy III is slightly sweet with delicate florals like small tender buds. This is a wonderful balance, not too crisp, not too laundry-musk like, just fresh and light. It feels like a cool sunset after a warm day filled with spring air. The soft woody backdrop makes this barely sensual enough to wear in the evening and is cozy enough for colder days; even a fresh contrast for a little black dress. Easygoing but elegant, this is as charming as the girl next door and as cool as the boss lady at work. Givenchy III is an understated beauty and a versatile, unintimidating chypre with gentle character.

Pierre Dinand's creation of a simple bottle is all that is needed for this scent. The treasure is in side. You dont need a fancy bottle if the contents are extraordinary. GIII makes a lot of modern perfumers concoctions rank ameteaur attempts. When you hear of French perfume supremacy, vintage GIII EDP is one of the best examples of timeless couture. This is so smooth in its transitions it recedes into the next level softly. The spices softly begin to emerge in the drydown until the grand floral heart recedes when its time is over. This is a masterpiece. The ultimate French perfume house love letter of all time. Greatness is timeless. I'd make it my signature only its discontinued and I'm forever chasing vintage ghost bottles.

Like a good film or record, the cover or up-dated version is rarely a match for the original. Very rarely can you better an original. So I read here that an updated version of the wonderful Givenchy III has been released. The same as some of the Classic Diors such as Diorella. So annoying, because I hear so many of you experienced people who can appreciate the often shoddy replications of old classics. When it is realised through sites like this that so many enthusiasts are trying desperately to get hold of the original formulations, why cannot any fragrance house bring back an original!? I dearly love the orignal Givenchy III, but as the saying goes, "If it ain't broken, don't fix it!"

Such a beguiling beauty. The vintage version of this scent opens with a hint of sharpness from galbanum and citrus and then drifts into the soft floral heart. I believe the heart contains far more florals than listed above, it's a veritable bouquet of lovely flowers, all perfectly blended together. All notes work together so seamlessly that it's one of the smoothest, softest chypres I've discovered. The mossy-woody basenotes contain sandalwood (the reformulation may not contain this note) and this dark drydown makes this one of my favorite chypres. Sillage is strong, longevity excellent, 9+ hours on me. A great day or night time scent (for daytime, use with discretion; it's powerful).

A surprisingly sensible decision by Givenchy to re-introduce this scent. It was a top favourite of many people, people who may have since found other top favourites as this one went missing for so long. But the old die-hards are back on their much-cherished smell, I'm glad to say. (Shouldn't they be sulking and punishing Givenchy for pulling the rug on this at the height of its popularity?) It's not so much a scent but a masterpiece in the art of perfumery and something of a giant in this group of fragrances: subtle yet all-pervasive, distinct from anything else I know but never over-powering. I await the re-introduction of other Givenchy greats, like the original Ysatis.

Recognised a 120ml bottle of Givenchy III in the window of a charity shop today from across the road. Naturally I bought it immediately. This fragrance is, in my opinion, second only to Armani Le Parfum which I seem to spend my life scouring the internet for. Powdery Chypre fragrances are my thing. Why have all the great fragrances of the past been discontinued? The age of elegant, sophisticated perfumes seems sadly to be long gone, replaced by apparently limitless bottles of fruity, flowery concoctions which all seem to smell the same to me - initially overpowering, yet without the subtle lingering longevity of classic fragrances.

Vintage EDP: An absolutely delicious green chypre. At first it smells medicinal, but then quickly warms up on my skin to a sweet leafy green accord. Imagine a dewy morning meadow, where green grass and delicate wildflowers grow, spring water, almost sweet, runs through the field, the humid soil is still warm and fragrant. It really lasts, but instead of hitting you, it wafts around creating an elusive aura of femininity. Will you excuse me as I can't stop sniffing my cleavage. My favorite chypre so far. The modern version (Les Parfums Mythiques) is drier, lighter and too masculine to my taste.

The very first time I smelled this, my life changed. It was the first perfume to actually send my heart racing. It is truly sad, that it is no longer made. I would have given a bottle to every woman I had ever dated. Well almost, every. The last time I encountered this fragrance, was on a relative of a good friend. Every time I encountered her. I would unknowingly get very close and smile almost uncontrollably. Adding the small fact that she was very attractive did not hurt either :) Sadly, it has been some time since. But the memory's live on, like that of a great love lost :((.....

Extraordinary Chypre. Top! The design style of Givenchy. In the sun, perfumer will demonstrate how to interpret the spring of Vivaldi with fragrance. lll soft, light and bright, Hyancinth and iris root, rose ensemble, mixed floral fragrance elegant. It is very clear and green. Do you think of the green shoots that break through the ground? And dewy carnations. Relatives of YSL Y, However Givenchy III is more than YSL Y green. Short is a pity, III fresh, gentle and sensitive. At the season for all things to recover, felling breeze blowing. Priceless, review based on 59ml vintage edt.

Givenchy Givenchy III (1970) - green chypre - Firmenich perfumers #raymondchaillan and Jean Francois Latty created such an elegant accord, starting with champagne-like Aldehydes, cut-grass Galbanum, and stone fruits. Then, transitions to a beautiful floral composition, I get Hyacinth, animalic and hay-like Narcissus, and a dry Iris. But unlike #chanelno19 that remains serious and somber, this perfume retains an uplifting and sparkling disposition. It later dries down to a chypre accord (oakmoss, patchouli, and resins).

Givenchy III is a forest green that is beautiful, profound, and venerable—a chypre masterpiece. Green freshness aroma; a stunningly modern and classic chypre scent. This can have a very thick, maple-syrup-like flavour because to how strongly woody it is. Aldehydes, old funk-dust, moss, greenery, and dryness are all present in GIII. Despite the cold, there is something warm. Sillage is average, but longevity is fantastic. A truly beautiful, timeless, feminine, and exquisite chypre!

Charming.... The opening notes remind me distinctly of that bitter green I so love about Silences, while soon after a slightly powdery, fresh floral evolves. Warm and gently sweet, it is all of it's notes and yet none of them. An aura, rather! Utterly chic. Note - I think there is a special place of torment reserved in the hereafter for those corporate heads who randomly and unnecessarily reformulate, dissect, and discontinue such beautiful masterpieces. C'est La Vie!

This is a true masterpiece - but only the vintage one ... not the reformulation, which smells like some kind of soap after a while. But the original one smells of luxury and confidence and it lasts forever. I would not only feel special, people would always treat me with more respect and they would certainly notice me. It's not my favourite of all time, but it feels expensive and if I want to make an impression on people this is the Perfume!

This must be my lucky day! I have the vintage EDT 100 ml and it's still perfect. I already had a miniature (from when I was a teenager) but somehow it didn't smell right. The miniature is a splash, so maybe it's gone off. But this ''new'' bottle brings back memories and memories alive. It mixes in a way that I can't make up my mind whether I'm in the French country or in Italy walking along the beach. That's a great holiday in a bottle!

I was so excited to receive my vintage Givenchy iii and absolutely elated to fall in love with it all over again! Its all there just as I remember it,the fresh and sparkling top notes,the hit of aldehydes and Galbanum, fresh green loveliness,Jasmine,Patchouli then the warm,mossy yumminess,mmmm,delicious! I have just discovered Sisley Eau Du Soir which is lovely and shares several characteristics but iii will always be my favourite.

I have the original Givenchy III. I wore this frequently in my '20s which was pretty daring really since this was a much more mature fragrance, but I just loved the earthiness and agro dolce sense of it - like a sombre bouquet. There is a similarity to Jolie Madame, both are earthy chypres. Longevity is outstanding, and the fragrance continues to evolve and develop from one delicious stage to another.

Ok, this perfume along with Givenchy Ysatis and YSL champagne (Yvresse) are actually my mom's favorite perfumes, so they hold a very sentimental value to me Till now, this is one have become a personal favorite, I don’t spray it a lot, cause I only have one bottle left :D Very herbal, green and refreshing and perfect for summer nights :)

I love your descriptions Persephone and mimian. It is hard to find in Australia, though over the years I have bought it whenever I found it, and this year was excited to find the EDT in Harrods while visiting London, but I have never yet come across the EDP or parfum.

I always love Le Coer Goth's reviews and good to see this wonderful,(in my opinion the best)chypre has caught his attention. Mossy ropes and green devils indeed!

My mom used for along time this perfume. This wonderful scent still remais in my memory, but unfortunately we dont find it in Brazil...

My first thought was "It smells like Cabochard". I absolutely love Cabochard. in my opinion Cabochard is better.

I've had the best luck with vintages heavy on the oakmoss, and this is no exception. Smells wonderful!

Rip + Monsieur Hubert forever nel mio cuore ❤️

I don't know about you, but for me the most mysterious and enthralling place in the house I grew up, was always my mother's chiffonier. Everything on it looked like it came straight from a fairy tale, or from the far-flung palaces of the Far East. Especially the small collection of her perfumes. I was totally convinced there was a genie living in one of the bottles, waiting to grant my wish and make me a grown-up in no time. All I had to do was finding out in which one it dwelled. So one of my most daredevil antics was to secretly infiltrate my parents' bedroom and dab myself with whatever was lying within my reach. My "commando" tacticts were of course immediately exposed upon exiting the room, cause the monsters my mother was keeping in there were traitorous enough to give me away every single time. My mother was always giving me funny looks after each accomplished mission, but I fancied they were about my glasses being dirty or my hair being uncombed. Until one accursed Saturday evening, a huge 240ml splash bottle of Givenchy III decided it had enough of abuse, and tried to kill itself by falling from my hands. It failed. I dont know if you've ever handled such a bottle, but rest assured its glass is thick enough to stop a bullet. My mother came flying upon hearing the thud and found me aghast, with the golden stopper still in my hand, watching half of the golden soul of Givenchy III escaping its body and speading on the floor. The other half was already spilled on my clothes. Although I was sure a legendary chiding was seconds away from being yelled at poor me, she didn't say a word. What she did however, was leaving me with the perfume reeking clothes on for the rest of the weekend. Till Sunday night I was 1000% sure that I would prefer having my 8 years old butt kicked and be spared the olfactory torture. It felt like I was tied for ages with mossy ropes to an oak, while green devils wearing gardenia leis were frenziedly dancing all around me, poking me with pointy sandalwood sticks and throwing orris roots (with all the dirt still attached) on my face. I was seriously pondering over begging my mother for a beating in exchange of a bath. But not being stoical enough, I just asked for the bath. She replied "Why? I love the way you smell!". Amnesty was finally granted at late Sunday night. I felt like a sinner been cleansed from all his wrongdoing. After she scrubbed me redder than a beetrot, my mother left me standing ecstatic in the bathtub and went to bring a towel. When she came back and approached me I threw my hands happily around her neck in order to kiss her and show her my gratitude. Imagine my horror upon realising that she was the one reeking with Givenchy III now... Many years later I found a very old 60ml splash bottle of Givenchy III in a tiny backstreet shop. I guess the nice lady behind the desk is still wondering what my huge smile while buying it was all about...

Tested a pristine, full Givenchy III EdT mini from the 80s (two drops on one wrist) Overall? She is an incredibly elegant, confident lady with quiet authority. One of my first vintage perfume tests was a mini of the Poison Esprit de Parfum, and I remember thinking, this woman is terrifying but I want to be her. The Givenchy III woman is also terrifying in her own way, because she is *institutional* power. If Poison was the metallic click of dagger sharp Louboutin stilettos on the dance floor, Givenchy 3 is the click clack of bespoke patent leather pumps on white marble. I imagine her as the perfectly coiffed, almost severe, named partner of a major law firm. She does not need to ask for your deference, she does not need to vie for your attention. She knows the room will turn to her when she walks in, and it does not occur to her that it could be any different. The opening was *loud*. I don't quite have the nose to know exactly what I'm smelling, but if I had to guess, it's probably the aldehydes and maybe the galbanum. I think this is what people mean by "screechy?" There is also something that is slightly burning my nose on a deep inhale. It quiets down pretty quickly, and then the powdery florals, with an undertone of old paper, come to the forefront along with something that reads as "cool water" underneath. Then she loosens a button or two on her collar, and the powder starts to recede, but she remains the picture of poise and elegance. There's a metallic edge of brass, maybe from the galbanum. While I do like powder, the powderiness in Givenchy III leans more "old fashioned" than "vintage" to my nose. The contrast between the cool, green, wet notes and the powdery florals as it dries down is really what this perfume is about. However, I'm pretty sure the citrus notes are faded or absent in this vintage mini, because I'm not really picking them up, so I might not be getting the full experience as intended. That damp greeness is incredibly beautiful. I did check some reviews after I was deep into the drydown, and I see why people are describing it as sun dapled forest after the rain, but to me it's a bit too clean and controlled for that. Maybe more of a carefully designed indoor arboretum. It's quite "airy" and serious, in a distinctly French way. There are moments where I love it and find it extremely wearable, particularly when the powder plays a supporting role. There are other moments where it feels too "mature" for me (and I'm not exactly a spring chicken!). In the end, I don't think this one is for me, I admire her, but I think I don't have my life together in the way she seems to require. She is composed in a way that I'm just not.

NOT A PROPER REVIEW AS SUCH - As i haven't sniffed Givenchy III for over 25 years . This is one of my earliest "scent memories" ( for want of a better term!) . My Mother used it up until 1985 ish. I cant remember a bottle been in the house post 1985 . 1985 saw the birth of the "Rive Gauche " era , as well as other perfumes i cant remember. I used to spray on this perfume as a child , when playing "dress up". Out of all the vintage perfumes of yesteryear , this is the ONLY one that i can almost smell from memory ...does that make sense ? i recall spraying it and the sharp , bitter opening is right here with me. Such a powerful memory! Thinking of it now , its like its here in the room with me. ( a bit freaky actually ) I always used to regret spraying this scent as to my 5 yr old's sense of smell it was far too strong , far too bitter , absolutely zero sweetness or fruit here! If you took a 18yr old of today , who's only ever sampled the modern sweet scents , this stuff could seriously disturb them! This is not a negative review , bear with me...Yes that opening was harsh as hell and i remember it so vividly. After my initial childish "Urrrghh" id usually go off and do something else and forget to wash it off. After maybe 45mins , the scent changed into something Very green , fresh and i seem to remember a powdery base ??? Very comforting as a child. I also seem to remember a hint of leather , or was that the mix of the perfume and my mums very soft Italian leather jacket mingled together ? Either way - Great perfume. ) Very "earthy" and "natural" . Once that initial harshness ( the aldehydes??) had worn off , it was a scent i liked to fall asleep too Of course this is all memory.... I had completely forgotten this scent of my Mums until i stumbled across this page . Its well over 25 years since i last sniffed Givenchy. I shall have to ask my Mum if she remembers Givenchy III and why she suddenly changed onto Rive Gauche !! As a kid i didn't like RGs Icy coldness at all. The GIvenchy was better : In my mind this perfume is the polar opposite of the sweet gourmands that are in vogue now. I'm open to try anything and everything "perfume" . Although i do like my "sugar hits" very much , i don't want to wear them everyday. Everybody needs a good GREEN perfume like this i think :) ..I simply MUST smell this again and see if its the same as i remember ! Bidding on a bottle on fleabay now , fingers crossed. I think im going to love it this time around , with a "grown ups nose" and purely for nostalgia too .

Why I love vintages... As soon as I smelt this one, it took me right back to the reason why you can't beat a vintage chypre. There's something about the fresh combination with the oakmoss and delicate florals done right that just allures and entices you. Truly a lot of French fragrances made during this era were exceptional, composed with care and artistry. I get a lot of the fresh floral & slightly fruity citrus top, with the galbanum and jasmine coming in, balancing the harsh bitterness and the dusty oakmoss with a vibrant hint of citrus and bright floral. The orris root, sandalwood, lily-of-the-valley and even coconut come together absolutely wonderfully here, with a honeyed gardenia note that compliments other white florals and even hyacinch. Really a fragrance which is multi-faceted and extremely well put together and enjoyable. It's a joy to wear and defies gender classification in my opinion. I'm wearing the vintage eau de toilette and it's really something else. I can't speak for modern formulations or versions but if you do get a chance to try vintage and you are a chypre fan just buy it. If you like Mistsouko and No. 19 then this is a great and unique companion to them. One which has to be experienced. Exceptionally good and what real perfumery is all about.