Hubert de Givenchy opened his couture house in Paris in 1952 and, within a few years, formed the working friendship that would define its public image: Audrey Hepburn wore his clothes on and off screen for three decades, and he built L'Interdit around her. Givenchy still leans on that history. On its own site the house describes Very Irresistible as a creation reflecting the friendship between Hubert de Givenchy and Audrey Hepburn, and frames it as a new classic, feminine rose blossoms given a tangy edge by star anise and verbena leaf. Launched in 2003, it was fronted at launch by Liv Tyler, whose campaign gave the fragrance a looser, more mischievous personality than the house's earlier florals. Givenchy does not credit a perfumer for it.
Structurally it is a modern rose soliflore dressed up. The opening is the interesting part: cassia and lemon verbena with star anise, a green-liquorice bitterness that keeps the first ten minutes from smelling like a bouquet. Then the roses come in layers, a fresh dewy rose alongside peony and magnolia, before the more serious Taif rose emerges in the base with musk, vanilla and a light patchouli. It is a rose that has been made deliberately fizzy and cheerful rather than velvety or antique, and it is that fizziness that dates it, in a good way, to the early 2000s.
Wear it in daylight and in mild weather. It suits a Cape Town spring, when the wind has taken the edge off the heat and a bright rose does not turn cloying by lunchtime. It is office-safe, and it is one of the easier roses to wear for people who normally find the note too grown-up.
Be aware of where the line sits now. Givenchy launched a separate and newer Irresistible Givenchy in 2020, which is not the same composition, and the original Very Irresistible family has been steadily narrowed, with several of its flankers discontinued. The house still lists Very Irresistible in eau de toilette and eau de parfum, but availability varies by market. Performance is moderate, around five hours in the eau de toilette and closer to seven in the eau de parfum.
At a glance
Givenchy Very Irresistible by Givenchy — Floral – Fruity. Launched 2003. Longevity 6–10 hrs. Sillage moderate. Price in South Africa: R1,000 - R2,000. Best for: date night, garden party, all-day adventure, spring.
- Scent profile
- Floral – Fruity
- Launched
- 2003
- Longevity
- 6–10 hrs
- Sillage
- Moderate
- Price in South Africa
- R1,000 - R2,000
- Gender
- Feminine
- Best for
- Date Night, Garden Party, All-Day Adventure, Spring
Performance
Marathon runner — lasts all day, stays close to skin.
✍️ Did You Know?
- •Hubert de Givenchy founded his couture house in Paris in 1952 and dressed Audrey Hepburn for three decades; Givenchy's own page for Very Irresistible cites that friendship directly
- •the house describes the scent as rose blossoms given a tangy edge by star anise and verbena leaf
- •Liv Tyler fronted the launch campaign in 2003
- •Givenchy does not credit a perfumer for Very Irresistible on its own site
- •Givenchy introduced a separate, newer line called Irresistible Givenchy in 2020, which is a different composition, and several Very Irresistible flankers have since been discontinued
Main Accords
Fragrance Pyramid
How this scent unfolds on your skin
Community Opinions
Wear It When
Date Night
“Candlelight, slow conversation, and a scent trail that draws them closer.”
Garden Party
“Blooming hedgerows, pastel dresses, and sunlight warming bare shoulders.”
All-Day Adventure
“From sunrise to sunset and beyond — one application carries you through.”
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This Scent Is For
Graceful by day, captivating by evening.
Scent Mood
Peak season: 🌸 Spring (85%)
Spr
Sum
Aut
Win
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Layering Tip
Spray the heavier scent first, then the lighter one on top. Start with two scents — more than three quickly becomes muddled. Always test on skin first.
AI Review Summary
Synthesised from fragrance data
Givenchy Very Irresistible opens with a lively burst of red berries and a subtle star anise lift that gives it more personality than your average fruity floral. The heart is genuinely pretty — fresh rose, soft peony, and airy magnolia kept bright by verbena, before a comfortable vanilla and musk drydown adds just enough warmth without going heavy. It lasts well on skin and leaves a polished, moderate trail that feels feminine without being overwhelming. Community ratings sit on the modest side at 3.9, suggesting it won't blow everyone away, but fans of classic, wearable florals tend to find it quietly charming rather than groundbreaking. It's a solid choice for spring office days or casual lunches — the kind of scent you reach for when you want to smell effortlessly put-together without overthinking it.
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