Givenchy Gentleman, the fragrance of a modern and free-spirited man. Givenchy is a fashion house created by Hubert de Givenchy in 1952. At the outset, Givenchy focused solely on haute couture. Gradually, the house extended its expertise to other fields such as leather goods, jewelry, and perfumes
The original Gentleman fragrance by Givenchy. The story of Givenchy’s very famous gentleman begins in 1974. After a first men’s fragrance, Monsieur Givenchy, the brand introduced Givenchy Gentleman, intended as the fragrance of a modern and free-spirited man. Courteous, seductive, but somewhat provocative, Givenchy’s gentleman does not go unnoticed. Far from eau de cologne, Givenchy Gentleman asserts an unprecedented and highly masculine personality. Bold, the composition, both fresh and elegant, is signed by Paul Léger.
Olfastory’s review
Paul Léger, behind the success of Givenchy Gentleman
Avant-garde at heart, Paul Léger is renowned for creating olfactory scents that are both striking and captivating. Paul Léger spent the majority of his career at the company Firmenich, and he is known for having revolutionized the 1970s and 1980s, first by creating “Anaïs Anaïs” in 1978, released in 1985, and “Givenchy Gentleman” in 1974. With the bold and avant-garde notes of “Givenchy Gentleman,” Paul Léger drew attention, and his ability to create “true essences” came to be admired. An immense success, the fragrance half-woman half-child “Anaïs Anaïs” contributed to the triumph of the Cacharel brand, as well as to that of Paul Léger.
Givenchy Gentleman, notes as elegant as they are bold
The house of Givenchy’s second men’s fragrance, “Givenchy Gentleman” is a refined, highly masculine fragrance, with an unprecedented signature recognizable among all others. “Givenchy Gentleman” opens with the ultra-fresh notes of lemon and bergamot combined with rose and honey. Originating from India and China, lemon is first and foremost a “citron.” Today, it can be said that lemon is a perfect citrus fruit since every part of it is used, from peel to seeds. In perfumery, the zest is cold-pressed to obtain its extract. Lemon then releases very fresh, but also tangy, tonalities. The heart of “Givenchy Gentleman” is both woody and floral thanks to the presence of patchouli, jasmine, cedarwood, and iris, for maximum elegance. It should be noted that patchouli is a true legend in the history of perfumery. In the 19th century, patchouli leaves were used to protect cashmere shawls from moths. With its rather imposing scent, patchouli was highly prized by Parisian “cocottes.” Nevertheless, patchouli’s golden years occurred during the 1960s and 1970s, those of the sexual liberation. Emblematic of the hippie movement, patchouli was at last embraced the world over. Patchouli essence is obtained by steam distillation of the dried flowers. In perfumery, patchouli offers camphorous, woody, green, and earthy tonalities. Finally, the base of “Givenchy Gentleman” leaves a truly distinguished impression. It is indeed composed of a leather accord, amber, vetiver, and here again, patchouli. The bottle mirrors the composition, understated and elegant, that of a true gentleman.
Released in 1974, “Givenchy Gentleman” is the house’s second men’s fragrance. Highly elegant, it is also very masculine and would go on to achieve an improbable triumph…