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 their fragrance line that incorporates strong, distinctive floral and citrus fragrances. Their bestselling fragrance Flowerbomb, for instance, balances its titular florals out with darker, spicier elements like patchouli, jasmine, and musk. Even the brand's light fragrances, like its Flowerbomb Nectar offering, set itself apart with its diverse mixture of sweet-smelling ingredients.
Here, the Marie Claire team tested popular Viktor & Rolf perfumes to see which ones belong in your collection.
The Best Viktor & Rolf Perfumes
"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
Pros: Editor-approved, Nostalgic, Popular, Award-winning
Cons: May be too traditionally feminine for some users, More expensive than the brand's other options
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 Beauty Director Deena Campbell agrees. Her latest pick? Viktor & Rolf's Flowerbomb Tiger Lily, which was just released this year. "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
Pros: Great for nighttime wear, Complex, New release
Cons: Some reviewers find the coconut element too heavy
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
Pros: Complex, Editor-approved, Warm
Cons: May be too traditionally masculine for some users
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
Pros: Editor-approved, Great for formal occasions
Cons: Jasmine may be polarizing for some users
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 florals 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 is 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
Pros: Editor-approved, Complex
Cons: Maybe too sweet for some
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 stands 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, Gernium, Red chili pepper
Base Notes: Wood, Tonka bean, Almond
Pros: Complex; Unique; A little goes a long way
Cons: Very strong scent, so may be polarizing; May be too masculine for some
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.
