Givenchy Eaudemoiselle Ambre Velours Review: Is This Velvet Amber Worth The Price?
A deep dive into the discontinued amber-rose masterpiece.
When a major designer house releases a fragrance that feels like it belongs in a niche boutique, collectors take notice. When that same fragrance is discontinued, it achieves legendary status. This is the story of Givenchy's Eaudemoiselle de Givenchy Ambre Velours. Released in 2013, it was a departure from the lighter, more classic florals of the main Eaudemoiselle line. This was a fragrance with a clear objective: to deliver an opulent, rich, and unforgettable experience. Today, we break down the facts to determine if this elusive scent is worth hunting down.
Eaudemoiselle Ambre Velours launched as part of Givenchy's 'Eaudemoiselle de Givenchy Collection Absolues', a trio of scents aimed at the luxury market, with a particular nod to Middle Eastern fragrance preferences. Alongside Bois de Oud and Absolu d'Oranger, Ambre Velours was the standout for its focus on a deep, resinous amber and rose combination. It was positioned not as a simple flanker, but as a premium, almost private-collection-level offering within the broader designer landscape. Its discontinuation has only amplified its mystique, turning it from a retail product into a collector's prize.
The inspiration is right in the name: 'Velvet Amber'. The concept was to create a tactile sensation in scent form. It was designed to evoke the feeling of rich, heavy velvet fabric against the skin on a cold evening. The fragrance blends the classic French perfumery of Givenchy with the bold, resinous traditions of the East. The result is a scent that is both sophisticated and commanding, a duality that defined the Givenchy brand under the creative direction of Riccardo Tisci at the time.
Within the fragrance community, Ambre Velours is revered. It is frequently cited in discussions about the 'best designer amber' or 'best discontinued fragrances'. Its reputation is built on two key pillars: its unique scent profile that masterfully balances jammy fruit, deep rose, and warm resins, and its monstrous performance. This is not a subtle fragrance. It is a statement piece, and its absence from store shelves is a common point of lament among fragrance aficionados.
The Nose Behind the Scent
The fragrance was created by the in-house perfumery team at Givenchy, during a period when the LVMH fragrance division was overseeing creative development for the brand. No single perfumer has been officially credited.
Accords
Notes Pyramid
Scent Journey
A bold and immediate blast of jammy, dark plum, given a sharp, spicy kick by pink pepper. It's rich and attention-grabbing from the first spray.
The heart transitions to a deep, velvety rose. This isn't a fresh, green rose, but a dense, almost syrupy one, grounded by earthy patchouli and a dry cedarwood backbone.
The fragrance settles into its final form: a warm, resinous, and complex amber accord. Benzoin adds a vanilla-like sweetness while tolu balsam and opoponax contribute a smoky, almost incense-like depth that lasts for hours.
Performance Dashboard
Exceptional. Lasts 10-12+ hours on skin and will remain on clothing for days.
Powerful. Projects heavily for the first 3-4 hours, creating a very noticeable scent bubble.
Leaves a significant and opulent scent trail that lingers in the air. Not for subtle entrances.
When to Wear
Community Verdict
Receives passionate, strong compliments from those who appreciate bold fragrances, but can be polarizing and too intense for some.
Pros & Cons
- ✅ Niche-quality scent profile with incredible depth.
- ✅ Beast-mode performance in both longevity and projection.
- ✅ A unique and memorable jammy plum and rose combination.
- ✅ A highly sought-after collector's item since its discontinuation.
- ❌ Discontinued, making it very difficult and expensive to acquire.
- ❌ Can be overpowering if not applied with a light hand.
- ❌ Not versatile; strictly for cold weather and evening occasions.
Price & Value
“Originally a good value for its quality. At current resale prices, it is a collector's piece for true enthusiasts of the scent.”
📜 Reformulation History
No significant batch variations are widely reported. The main issue for collectors is its discontinuation, not inconsistency during its production run.
Who It's For
✅ Ideal For
- Confident individuals (30+)
- Fans of opulent, statement-making amber and rose fragrances
- Both men and women who enjoy unisex, Middle Eastern-style scents
⚠️ Not Recommended For
- Those who prefer light, fresh, or subtle scents
- Use in office, healthcare, or confined public spaces
- Beginners in the fragrance world
The Family
The original EDT that started the line, a much lighter floral musk.
Another flanker from the same 'Absolues' collection, focusing on oud.
A fresher, more floral take on the original DNA.
The third member of the 'Absolues' collection, centered on orange blossom.
Explore More
🔍 Similar Fragrances
Shares a similar opulent, dark rose and patchouli heart, but is more oud-forward.
A more straightforward and accessible take on the dark rose and oud/amber theme.
A much sweeter, more gourmand profile with praline, but captures the same powerhouse rose vibe.
Features a similar dark, earthy rose-patchouli combination, but with a unique truffle and vanilla twist.
💡 Clone Alternatives
Offers a similar vibe of opulent amber, rose, and sweetness at a budget price.
Often cited as a dupe for Tom Ford's Noir de Noir, it shares the same dark rose-patchouli DNA found in Ambre Velours.
❤️ You May Also Enjoy
For those who love a powerful, spicy, and complex rose-patchouli fragrance.
A classic and elegant amber-rose combination with a similar sophisticated feel.
Another powerhouse designer scent with a Middle Eastern feel, focusing on sandalwood, leather, and oud.
More from Givenchy
🧪 Layering Ideas
- A simple vanilla fragrance to amplify the sweetness of the benzoin in the base.
- A smoky oud or incense fragrance to enhance its Middle Eastern character.
- A light musk scent, applied first, to create a softer, cleaner canvas for the powerful notes.
🏆 Final Verdict
Givenchy Eaudemoiselle de Givenchy Ambre Velours is a modern legend for a reason. It represents a moment when a designer house took a risk and created something with the soul of a niche fragrance. The quality of the blend, the depth of the notes, and the sheer power of its performance are undeniable. It is a masterclass in how to create a captivating amber-rose fragrance that is both elegant and commanding.
The decision to buy comes down to one factor: price. If you are a dedicated collector or someone for whom this scent profile is a 'holy grail', then hunting down a bottle is a worthy quest. It is a piece of fragrance history that delivers on its promise of velvet luxury. However, for the average consumer, the high resale price and lack of availability make it an impractical purchase. Excellent alternatives exist that capture a similar spirit without the cost and effort. If you find it and can afford it, buy it. You will not be disappointed.