Andrei Karetin

Andrei Karetin

Feb. 16, 2026

3/5

3

L'Interdit 2018 is, of course, a response to fragrances from Chanel, Dior, and Guerlain, but it noticeably differs from them. The quality here is top-notch. Givenchy offered a floral composition, but chose a different path than, for example, Gucci. If Michele had one perfumer, Givenchy had three working on it - that already says a lot. The fragrance And the World is Yours by A Lab on Fire recently came out, and I was surprised to notice something similar to its sweet, deep orange blossom in L'Interdit. But what Ropion allowed himself would have been too risky for Givenchy. In the new fragrance, orange blossom became less intense and spicy; it was replaced by lighter fruity notes that resemble either a honeyed apple or lychee. Jasmine adds depth, but there's a strange aquatic nuance in the composition that's a bit confusing. Tuberose here is just a light creamy accent that gets lost in the overall sweetness. The fragrance is indeed sweet, and in the heat, it might even feel sticky. The musky-amber accord is also present, but it's more transparent and woody, which gives the fragrance an oriental character. I'm glad that the orange blossom from A Lab on Fire found its continuation in luxury. Here, it sounds lighter and even playful, as if telling its own story. This accord was a bit distracting when I tested it in Europe, but it didn't manifest in St. Petersburg. Perhaps it's worth trying in the summer. Overall, L'Interdit is a quality fragrance with character that, in my opinion, surpasses its competitors. But I would still prefer the more complex And the World is Yours - a fragrance I would call "Fragrance of the Year." It's a shame it hasn't been released for sale yet. As for Givenchy's new release, it's worth trying for those who appreciate Ropion's work, as his mastery with orange blossom made L'Interdit 201