The fascinating story of a true signature scent.
Imagine having a scent formulated just for you. A scent that trails as you walk past. A scent that lingers after you’ve left. This is even more special and powerful when the scent is just yours and is exclusively made for you, not available to all.
This was true for the iconic Audrey Hepburn, as Hubert de Givenchy created L’Interdit specifically for Ms. Hepburn-his muse, friend and longtime collaborator, the legendary actress, fashion icon and humanitarian. Givenchy created the scent secretly in 1954. This is a true signature scent in every sense of the term, as Audrey was the only one who wore it for several years. In 1957 Hubert de Givenchy decided to market the perfume to which Audrey replied “Mais, je vous l’interdis!”
(“But I simply forbid it!”) which is how the scent got its name L’Interdit meaning ‘forbidden’.
From 1954 up until its official debut in 1957 Audrey Hepburn was the only one to wear this iconic scent. There is something so incredible about that. The original L’Interdit was a deep feminine aldehydic floral fragrance perfectly fitting Audrey Hepburn’s grace, beauty and uniqueness. The nose behind this fragrance was Francis Fabron.
The scent evokes feminine sensuality and timeless sophistication with notes of rose, jasmine violet and a blend of wood and grasses.
Audrey Hepburn did agree to make the perfume public and officially became the face of the fragrance. This also marks in perfume/beauty and fashion history as the first time an actress was the face of a perfume. This is now a tradition to have an actress/musician or a public figure as the face of a fragrance, but Audrey Hepburn was the first as can be seen in this campaign.
The fragrance was an instant classic. The fragrance was discontinued in 1990s in the US before reformulating in 2002. The L’Interdit that is available to buy today isn’t the same one, it has been muted and reworked to suit today’s preferences. A reformulated version of the original can be purchased today.
However, bear in mind it’s not the exact same scent that Audrey wore, although the modern L’Interdit is beautiful and intoxicating as well.
Personally, I love Audrey Hepburn and just this concept of a signature scent so much that the fact that the modern perfume is different makes this campaign and story all the more alluring.
L’Interdit is a timeless golden memory, much like Old Hollywood, in that it can be re-emulated but can never truly come back. While that’s bittersweet. I am totally on board with a woman as iconic and as magnificent as Audrey Hepburn to have a signature scent that is truly hers. And hers alone. Honestly, who can blame her? I would have done the same, given the chance. Wouldn’t we all want that? A perfume that is so exclusive that it only belongs to the one who wears it?
The true scent that was Audrey’s may be lost to history, but just like her presence it can never be forgotten.
Today L’Interdit lives and breathes in its modern formulation.
The modern L’Interdit was launched in 2018 it was created by Dominique Ropion, Anne Flipo and Fanny Bal. Top notes are Pear and Bergamot; middle notes are Tuberose, Orange Blossom and Jasmine Sambac; base notes are Vanilla, Patchouli, Ambroxan and Vetiver. The modern eau de parfum is powerful, intoxicating, seductive, sensual and leaves the trail of sophistication- a dark and warm allure which cements its place in the olfactory industry as a truly unique scent that evokes a strong sense of femininity and timeless elegance. Perfect for any beauty and perfume enthusiast.
What is incredible about any perfume is that it sits differently on different people, everybody’s skin and natural scent is unique to them so it is fascinating to experience how this formula fits each person and their essence. Everyone carries their essence differently, given that the modern L’Interdit offers the wearer their own way of turning a very successful and iconic scent into one’s own signature scent.
I personally love Jasmine, Bergamot, Tuberose, Orange blossom and Vetiver. As these ingredients have a specific impact. I love these notes in general and blended together with pear, vanilla and patchouli, I truly love it. I love the heady intoxicating quality of jasmine and tuberose, the freshness of bergamot, pear and vetiver balance the warmth of jasmine and tuberose, the orange blossom and vanilla add a sweetness that is not too sweet but a delicate sweetness, a breath of fresh air, while the patchouli adds extra depth making this a truly interesting and addictive fragrance. Its layers are complex and intricate but they blend so perfectly to create an alluring trail to leave behind.
What’s your signature scent?
-AG
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