Givenchy III
Givenchy (1970)

My wife is a lover of Chypre fragrances starting with Crepe de Chine and followed by the modern Givenchy III since Crepe de Chine was discontinued in the 70s. It is a very elegant fragrance and it complements most personalities. The top aldehydes and Galbanum notes enhance the florals and persists through the life of the scent the base notes also enhance the total elegance on the skin. The gardenia note borrowed from the Crepe de Chine gives the perfume evolution to modern times. At the time Chypre was a niche perfume much more wearable than the original Chypre by Coty. Very hard to imitate without a GC but not impossible to come close by "nose" alone. I think it can be worn by male or female but it favors the latter.

I woke up not feeling quite myself, a bit of headache, some doldrums due to unseasonably wintry temperatures. Of course, some fragrance might be the solution, and I applied Givenchy III and went outside. It's hopeful greenness cut through the cold air, lending some reassurance in spite of drooping jonquils that I pass by. The sun felt just a little bit warmer.

The galbanum reminds me that no sooner than this chill passes will the grass grow green and full, the lift of sparkling aldehydes almost whispers "chin up, look on the bright side," and a little peach fuzz nuzzles playfully. I walked past as yet to bloom hyacinths braving the bitter winds, buds clasped as if praying for warmth as I suggestions of their scent mingle on my skin with narcissus with their coronas raised high, unliked the poor droopy fellas bruised and forlorn on their lawns.

The fertile greenness is contrasted by a earthy, shadowy orris, and while being orris it is not cold at all, not cold like this unforgiving air; it too, is the embodiment of spring, it could be maternal or paternal, depending upon the wearer, but it is a loving parent in this composition, familiar, wise, and forgiving. A classic green chypre dry down, woody and resinous, evokes soft shades of pewter, clay, beige. Although there is some time before they sing their haunting song, I imagine hearing a hermit thrush high up in a tree.

Thank you, Givenchy III, for your promise of spring.

Pretty floral, my bottle just acquired from fragrance net does not match the description given by the positive reviews and I feel ripped off. Perfume companies should not be able to continue using the same name for a newer, changed version, that really should be regulated. Thumbs down because of it’s weak performance and high price, not worth a cent over $40.

It seems to me that the original Givenchy III, like many old chypres, was designed to go with tweed skirts and tailoring. But when it was reformulated, it turned into something more like a suave modern accessory to the roll neck sweater.

This new version is a silky green chypre with a direct straight-through cast, and a modern, fairly minimal feel. There are florals, but they're pale and discrete, and it's sweet - but also dry. The main sense of G III is a silky floral greenness with a finely blended chypre that stays in the background. Very nice.

But this is a green chypre, and the synthetic green notes tend to break through in the end, upsetting the balance of a hitherto lovely work.

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Judging by the bemused reaction of the Givenchy SA when I told her 'No, don't gift wrap it thanks, I'm going to wear it myself', it would seem that LVMH (or at least their people) had no inkling of what had happened to G III - which had transformed under their noses from green Old Girl to Unisex Chic.

I loved the reviewer who said this could/should be called "Black Moss." This is precisely what this scent smells like to me: something darkly and vividly green from the very most shaded part of the forest. I have never encountered such a deep and almost stark and angular chypre and one that showcases oak moss in such a beautifully classical way. I'm amazed that this was marketed to women, but would be so impressed by any female who would wear this with casualness and aplomb.

Givenchy lll in vintage extract would make an amazing and oh-so-striking signature scent for an independent and idiosyncratic woman. I'm picturing Charlotte Rampling, for some reason or another.

Vintage EDT and Eau de Parfum.I believe this to be the pinnacle of the perfumers art. A heartbreakingly beautiful sparkling green chypre which is so beautifully balanced,for me it stands head and shoulders above the rest.The aldehyde and galbanum opening is exquisite and makes it feel still modern even though the moss and patchouli in the drydown is classic.I have been steadily building a collection of the different incarnations of this beauty since it was sadly discontinued and now have a lovely wardrobe of my favourite fragrance, I cannot bear to go a day without smelling it. The mossy green ropes of the previous review have bound themselves to my heart and I cannot give it up!