Hot Couture (2000)
by Givenchy

I'm surprised at the reviewers stating this is better suited for a "more mature" woman to wear. This is the first "serious" fragrance I bought at the age of 18 when it came out. Yes it is sophisticated, but the raspberry makes for a little playfulness. On myself I could smell pepper, smoke, and of course raspberry the most. I find it to be very unique and overall modern. It is warm without being sweet, it can be almost tart at first but it is extremely well-rounded.

22nd December, 2011.

On warm skin, this fragrance really blooms. On me it is a bit smokey with an almost incense quality, yet has a sweet & fruity character. It wears similar to Apparition by Ungaro and to Franck Olivier, but I like Hot Couture much better.

Hot Couture comes in a number of variations, and I have the first -- Hot Couture No 1. The other variations are reported to be not as good. I believe Jacques Cavallier and Alberto Moraillis are created with No 1, which is now discontinued.

26th November, 2011.

I really liked this perfume when I sprayed it on myself from a tester bottle in a local drug store. It has a really nice, warm, enveloping and soft vanilla smell that I find very pleasant and appealing. Unfortunately, though, I think I still don't come across as being "mature" or sophisticated enough to wear this fragrance. I walked by a couple of guys at the mall (with the perfume still on me and very noticeable) and I distinctly heard one of them say: "Oh wow! There's nothing like a sixty-year old YOUNG woman!"
So, alas, I fear this particular perfume doesn't really suit me. Maybe I'll wear it when I'm older, LOL! (For reference, I'm 31.)

18th November, 2011.

Hot Couture by Givenchy ... the top note bursts with spicy, yet tart, raspberry, lovingly fused with bergamot and orange, before being whisked away into the heart, where an exquisite magnolia simmers with pepper, creating a dusky, lemony touch, thence, the creamy, woody and vanilla base wonderfully transports to the remarkable drydown ...

4th November, 2011.

On me this is slightly peppery which becomes smooth and I like it. There is a slight citrus and vetiver, while the base notes are sandalwood, amber and musk.
On my skin it is smokey and smooth.

28th October, 2011.

This was a very odd fragrance indeed. I totally wasn't expecting what I smelt when I intially applied Hot Couture.

The previous reviewers are not wrong in stating that this is a peppery floral scent. It's quite sharp and surprising to my nose.

I know many of you will go crook on me for saying this, but Hot Couture really reminds me of Chanel No.19. It has a grassy/green quality to it that I can't deny.

In my personal opinion, I don't think this fragrance would be very well suited to young women, it seems to take a more mature and sophisticated approach. Don't get me wrong however, I'm not saying this is an 'old-lady fragrance'.

I don't actually get the raspberry and vanilla in Hot Couture, which I'm a little disappointed about. To be honest, I don't find this scent sweet or fruity at all.

I'd choose Versace Woman as a better alternative if you're looking for a raspberry and spicy/herb scent.

4th June, 2011.