Gabrielle Ulubay
Founded in 1993, Viktor & Rolf is known for its avant-garde take on style, consistently championing unique approaches to haute couture. This ethos also extends to the brand's fragrance line, which incorporates strong, distinctive floral and citrus fragrances. The bestselling fragrance, Flowerbomb, for instance, balances its titular florals with darker, spicier elements like patchouli, jasmine, and musk. Even the brand's light fragrances, like its Flowerbomb Nectar offering, set itself apart with a diverse mixture of sweet-smelling notes.
So while you may primarily associate the brand with its Flowerbomb collection, there are a number of others that play on complex notes for a truly unique fragrance experience. So whether you're looking for a scent that leans on its heavier, spicier notes, or want something more fresh and fruity, there's a fragrance in the line for you. Below, the Marie Claire team tested popular Viktor & Rolf perfumes to see which ones are editor-approved and worthy of adding to your fragrance collection.
The Best Viktor & Rolf Perfumes
- Best Floral Viktor & Rolf Perfume: Flowerbomb
- Best Nighttime Viktor & Rolf Perfume: Flowerbomb Tiger Lily
- Best Spicy Viktor & Rolf Perfume: Spicebomb
"Readers rejoice, I, the Fowerbomb obsesser, finally got my hands on yet another Viktor and Rolf classic!" says Associate Social Media Editor Ashlyn Delaney of this bestseller, which first launched in 2005 and is still popular today. She continues, "This fragrance not only makes me smell like a warm, floral hug, but it also truly reminds me of my mother, as this is her signature scent. I remember in grade school, putting my head on my her chest and identifying the notes of amber, patchouli, and light musk. The best part of it all is that it lasts forever! I'm not kidding—three sprays on the wrist, behind the ear, and a little in the hair has you smelling good all day."
Top Notes: Osmanthus, bergamot, tea
Middle Notes: Orchid, jasmine, rose, African orange flower, freesia
Base Notes: Patchouli, vanilla, musk
What I Love: Nostalgic; Most popular scent; Marie Claire award winner
What I Don't: May be too traditionally feminine for some users; More expensive than the brand's other options
Customer Review: "The blend of vanilla, jasmine, and rose is perfectly balanced—floral but not overpowering, and just the right touch of sweetness without being too sugary. I love that it’s light enough for daily wear. It lasts beautifully throughout the day without being too strong, making it my go-to fragrance for any occasion. If you’re looking for a floral scent that’s versatile and not overly rosy, this is it!" — Sephora
For Ashlyn Delaney, Viktor & Rolf's Flowerbomb is the ultimate nostalgic fragrance.
I like switching my daytime perfume out for a sultry, musky option come nighttime, and former Beauty Director Deena Campbell agrees. Her latest pick? Viktor & Rolf's Flowerbomb Tiger Lily, which is a relatively newer addition to the brand. "If you’ve ever walked into a dimly lit jazz bar in the Lower East Side of Manhattan on a Saturday night, you are very familiar with the smell of Tiger Lily," she says. "The aroma is the assurance that a good time is on the horizon. The fruit amber fragrance includes notes of mango and benzoin (a resin obtained from the bark of trees), and the mix of the Tiger Lily flower and coconut milk smells powerful but not too musky. Wear it when you want to feel confident, or keep the multi-faceted diamond grenade bottle on your vanity and let your imagination do the heavy lifting."
Top Notes: Bergamot, coconut milk
Middle Notes: Tiger lily, jasmine, freesia
Base Notes: Benzoin, mango
What I Love: Great for nighttime wear; Tropical without being too sweet; Newer release
What I Don't: Some reviewers find the coconut element too heavy
Customer Review: "I love this scent for date nights. It is long-lasting and wears beautifully. It is a summery, tropical floral that is like a rich resort vibe that stands out as unique in the current perfume market." — Sephora
Deena Campbell loves Viktor & Rolf's Flowerbomb Tiger Lily for a night out.
Fashion Editor Lauren Tappan is all for the unisex fragrance trend, and her love for this spicy, masculine scent proves it. "I recently sampled Viktor & Rolf's Spicebomb Eau de Toilette, and I haven't been able to stop spraying it," she gushes. "As someone who prefers light, floral scents, I initially thought that this fiery fragrance might be too overpowering for me, but I was pleasantly surprised to discover otherwise. As soon as I took my first whiff, I instantly fell for the warm notes of cinnamon and bergamot, both of which have a cozy feel. If you're not opposed to a hint of spice, I would highly recommend this fragrance."
Top Notes: Pink pepper, elemi, grapefruit, bergamot
Middle Notes: Cinnamon, paprika, saffron
Base Notes: Vetiver, tobacco, leather
What I Love: Warm scent that's complex enough to be worn by those who often lean toward more feminine fragrances
What I Don't: The peppery smell the fragrance opens with is strong before it dries down
Customer Review: "This is sold as a 'men's fragrance,' but I picked up a bottle for myself yesterday. If you're a woman who's into unisex, spicy, or woodsy scents, definitely check it out! It's not too strong, and really cozy for fall/winter. It's fresh, sweet, and spicy at the same time. I tried layering with another vanilla perfume, and that also worked out great as well." — Sephora
According to Lauren Tappan Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb is the perfect fragrance for anyone into a bit of spice.
This hidden gem has quickly made its way into my personal list of favorite perfumes. It's a floral and jasmine perfume, making it perfect for warm weather because of its herbaceous, garden-like finish. But if you're not a fan of jasmine, never fear: Good Fortune is also balanced out by warm, creamy bourbon vanilla. The result is a fragrance that can easily be spritzed on throughout the year. There's also an elegance and maturity to this option that lends itself to formal occasions—a sense that's also evoked in the bottle's golden accents and opulent amethyst cap.
Top Notes: Fennel, gentiana
Middle Notes: Jasmine
Base Notes: Madagascar vanilla, vanilla bourbon
What I Love: A more sophisticated scent, great for formal occasions; Refillable top
What I Don't: Jasmine may be polarizing for some users
Customer Review: "I am in love with this fragrance! It is a beautiful floral scent, with strong notes of jasmine coming through. It’s not at all overpowering, but it definitely lasts all day. I’ve gotten so many compliments and inquiries about what fragrance I'm wearing. This is definitely my go-to scent!" — Sephora
A warm spin on the beloved Flowerbomb scent, this option incorporates red vanilla bean accord and bourbon vanilla in addition to its titular ingredient, ruby orchid. Associate Commerce Editor Brooke Knappenberger stands by the creative spin on a classic, explaining, "This floral perfume takes the cake for being the most feminine in my collection. I'm not much of a floral fan and typically prefer gourmand scents, but this one is delectable enough to reach for constantly. At first, this fragrance is sugary sweet, but not overly so, as vanilla and peach come through. The dry down is deliciously warm and sensual, too. It's a date night perfume through and through and one I'll be wearing all summer long."
Top Notes: Peach, vine
Middle Note: Orchid
Base Notes: Bourbon vanilla, vanilla bean
What I Love: Ruby orchid balances the sweetness of the vanilla out; It only takes one to two spritz for an all-day scent
What I Don't: Although it's much more subtle than other gourmand perfumes, it still may lean into it too much for those who prefer muskier notes
Customer Review: "I am absolutely addicted to this fragrance. I was a huge fan of ‘Angel Innocence’, but Mugler discontinued it. I wanted something that made me content and get that ‘perfume high.’ For me, this was it. I wear it all year long & found my new signature scent. I’ll mix it with Flowerbomb at times, but I mainly like it straight up." — Sephora
Former Associate Director of Social Media Lucia Tonelli loves a strong, unisex fragrance. If you do too, consider this warm, spicy variation of Spicebomb. She writes, "If you want a fragrance that packs a punch, this is it. Spicebomb Night Vision by Viktor & Rolf is deep, complex, and confident; the spicy top notes are fresh and warm, which stand out when compared to traditional masculine fragrances. A conservative spritz will go a long way (and still turn heads), so less is more!"
Top Notes: Apple, mandarin, cardamom, grapefruit
Middle Notes: Sage, nutmeg, pepper, clove, geranium, red chili pepper
Base Notes: Wood, tonka bean, almond
What I Love: One spritz is typically enough for all-day wear; Super complex notes
What I Don't: Very strong scent, so it may be polarizing
Customer Review: "To women who like men's cologne, I spent half an hour in the store smelling all the colognes because I wanted something specific, and this one was the winner! (I'm a 25-year-old woman, but sometimes I like a strong/spicy cologne over a more feminine perfume, depending on my mood). It's like a more sophisticated version of Abercrombie's Fierce." — Sephora
The History of Viktor & Rolf
In 1988, Viktor Horsting and Rolf Snoeren met while attending the Arnhem Academy of Art and Design in the Netherlands. They began collaborating in 1992 on avant-garde fashion designs, and, upon their graduation, relocated to Paris. Initially boxed out of the fashion world, the pair's projects instead found homes in museums and art galleries. Their successful early work included Hyeres in 1993, L'Hiver de L'Amour in 1995, and L'Apparence de Vide in 1995.
Viktor & Rolf eventually became accepted into the world of haute couture and is known for its unconventional silhouettes and unique concepts. The label later launched a menswear line, a ready-to-wear collection, and, in 2005, a successful line of perfumes. Flowerbomb is their first and perhaps most popular fragrance, and it remains a modern classic. Indeed, today's consumers are likely more familiar with the brand's fragrances than its fashion designs.
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For more than 30 years, Marie Claire has been an internationally recognized destination for news, fashion and beauty trends, investigative packages, and more. When it comes to the products Marie Claire recommends, we take your faith in us seriously. Every product that we feature comes personally recommended by a Marie Claire writer or editor, or by an expert we’ve spoken to firsthand.
How We Tested
To select the best Viktor & Rolf fragrances of all time, Marie Claire editors sprayed, wore, and smelled every single scent that has been released by the brand. They evaluated every bottle based on notes, wear, and price point, while searching the internet for customer reviews.
