Viktor & Rolf Good Fortune Review: A Buyer's Guide to the Modern Floral
Is this mystical white floral worth the investment? We break down the scent, performance, and value.
Viktor & Rolf launched Good Fortune in 2022, positioning it as their next major pillar fragrance for women. This was a significant move, as it was the first major new line since the colossal success of Flowerbomb nearly two decades prior. The brand needed a new icon for a new generation, and Good Fortune was designed to be just that. It arrived in a market saturated with sweet florals, aiming to stand out with a unique, modern-mystical concept.
Where Flowerbomb was an explosion of straightforward, sugary florals, Good Fortune takes a more nuanced approach. It sits firmly within the popular white floral and vanilla category, competing with giants like Mugler's Alien and YSL's Libre. However, its unique top notes of fennel and gentian give it a distinctive aromatic, almost licorice-like opening that sets it apart from its direct competitors. It's less of a 'pink' fragrance and more of a 'purple' one, both in color and in mood.
The concept is built around modern spirituality, self-discovery, and what the brand calls 'neo-witchcraft.' The marketing, featuring artist FKA Twigs, and the crystal ball bottle design all reinforce this theme. It's a departure from the classic Parisian femininity of many designer fragrances, targeting a consumer who is more individualistic and perhaps a bit esoteric. The goal was to create a scent that feels like a personal talisman or a magic potion.
In the fragrance community, Good Fortune has had a respectable, if not explosive, reception. It is often praised for its longevity and its beautiful jasmine-vanilla drydown. The opening notes, however, are polarizing; some find the fennel note intriguing and unique, while others find it sharp or medicinal. It hasn't dethroned Flowerbomb, but it has carved out a solid niche for those seeking a familiar sweet floral with an unconventional twist.
The Nose Behind the Scent
Anne Flipo and Nicolas Beaulieu. Flipo is a master perfumer known for co-creating massive commercial successes like Lancôme's La Vie Est Belle, Yves Saint Laurent's Libre, and Paco Rabanne's Invictus. Beaulieu has worked on fragrances for major houses including Paco Rabanne, Clinique, and Chopard.
Accords
Notes Pyramid
Scent Journey
The first 15-30 minutes are defined by the fennel and gentian. It's an unusual opening for a designer floral. Expect a sweet, anise-like scent from the fennel, balanced by a slightly bitter, green, and herbal quality from the gentian. This phase is the most divisive part of the fragrance.
After the initial aromatic blast fades, the jasmine heart takes center stage. This is a creamy, rich, and slightly sweet jasmine, not an indolic or animalic one. It's modern and clean, dominating the fragrance for the next 1-3 hours and forming the core of the scent profile.
The base is a smooth, warm Bourbon vanilla. It blends seamlessly with the lingering jasmine, creating a creamy, sweet, and comforting finish. The vanilla is not overly sugary or cake-like; it retains a touch of warmth and depth that lasts for the remainder of the scent's life on skin, typically 4+ hours in.
Performance Dashboard
Lasts a solid 7-9 hours on skin, and even longer on clothing. No performance issues here.
Projects at arm's length for the first 1-2 hours before settling closer to the skin. It's noticeable but not overwhelming.
Leaves a moderate, pleasant trail. People will smell it as you walk by, but it doesn't fill a room.
When to Wear
Community Verdict
Pros & Cons
- ✅ Excellent longevity for a designer EDP.
- ✅ Unique fennel opening sets it apart from other florals.
- ✅ Beautiful, creamy jasmine and vanilla drydown.
- ✅ Versatile enough for day-to-night wear.
- ✅ Stunning and unique bottle design.
- ❌ The anise-like fennel note in the opening is polarizing.
- ❌ The core DNA is very similar to other popular jasmine-vanilla scents on the market.
- ❌ Premium price point for a scent profile that may not feel entirely new.
Price & Value
“The price is standard for a new designer launch from a major house. Given the strong performance and quality ingredients, it's a fair value if you love the scent profile. We recommend testing before committing to a full bottle.”
📜 Reformulation History
No significant batch variations or reformulations have been reported since its 2022 launch.
Accords
Notes Pyramid
Scent Journey
Richer and deeper than the EDP from the start. The fennel and gentian are present but immediately grounded by a woody warmth.
The jasmine heart is creamier, sharing the stage with a smoky, incense-like Palo Santo note that is not present in the EDP.
The key difference. The vanilla base is amplified and fused with a distinct, lingering Palo Santo wood accord, creating a much warmer, more complex finish.
Performance Dashboard
Lasts 10-12+ hours on skin
Strong projection for 3-4 hours before settling closer to the skin.
Leaves a heavy, noticeable scent trail.
When to Wear
Community Verdict
Pros & Cons
- ✅ Excellent longevity and sillage
- ✅ Deeper scent with added Palo Santo
- ✅ Ideal for cold weather and evenings
- ❌ Significantly higher price
- ❌ Less versatile for daily wear
- ❌ Can be too heavy or smoky for some
Price & Value
“Higher price is justified by superior performance and added complexity for fans of richer scents.”
The Family
A deeper, richer, and more potent version with added notes of Palo Santo and incense.
A more concentrated version of the original EDP, often with slight adjustments to the note balance for a richer experience.
Explore More
🔍 Similar Fragrances
Shares a very similar dominant jasmine note, though Alien is colder and more synthetic-leaning.
Features a similar bourbon vanilla and jasmine combination, but with an opening of citrus and a mossy base.
While different due to the lavender, it targets a similar demographic and shares a sweet floral-vanilla structure.
💡 Clone Alternatives
Frequently cited by users as having a very similar jasmine and vanilla profile at a fraction of the cost.
A direct-to-consumer 'inspired by' fragrance that aims to replicate the Good Fortune DNA for a budget price.
❤️ You May Also Enjoy
Fans of bright, sweet tuberose and jasmine will find this appealing.
Another modern white floral with a warm amber-vanilla base and neroli top notes.
If the vanilla aspect is your favorite part, this coffee-vanilla classic is a logical next step.
More from Viktor & Rolf
🧪 Layering Ideas
- A simple vanilla body lotion or oil to amplify the base.
- A light, non-descript musk fragrance (like ISO E Super or Ambroxan) to add diffusion and depth.
- A single-note fennel or anise essential oil (used sparingly) to enhance the unique opening.
🏆 Final Verdict
Viktor & Rolf Good Fortune is a well-executed and high-performing modern floral. It successfully walks the line between mass-market appeal and having a unique character. Its core is a familiar and beautiful blend of jasmine and vanilla that is hard to dislike. The performance is excellent, easily lasting a full workday or an evening out.
You should buy this fragrance if you are a fan of scents like Mugler's Alien but are looking for a slightly warmer, sweeter, and more unique alternative. The polarizing fennel opening is the key deciding factor. If you enjoy that flash of green, anise-like spice, you will likely love this fragrance from start to finish. If you are seeking a reliable, versatile, and long-lasting designer scent that fits seamlessly into a modern wardrobe, Good Fortune is a solid investment.