Play

Play, inspired by Givenchy Play for men (2008)

Play leads with the bitter, peel-like side of orange and grapefruit, while bergamot and mandarin round off the citrus. Black pepper arrives quickly, joined by coffee flower, which smells airier and more floral than roasted coffee. Amyris, a pale wood with a faintly balsamic tone, sits under the spice. Vetiver and patchouli close it out without adding much weight.

About the original

Givenchy released Play in September 2008 together with Play Intense, both in a bottle shaped like an MP3 player and promoted by Justin Timberlake. Launch coverage credits the composition to Emilie Coppermann and Lucas Sieuzac of Symrise. Play no longer appears in Givenchy's current men's range, and at least one large EU retailer shows it as out of stock. Play For Her, sold under the same name, is a separate women's fragrance.

Our version

Ours is an independent eau de parfum made to evoke the same character. It is not Givenchy stock, not an official relaunch and not the original formula.

Who it suits

Its appeal is citrus-and-pepper freshness rather than depth. When Now Smell This reviewed it, the critic found the peppery middle stage harsh, so the spice is the part that divides opinion.

Related scents

• Givenchy Play
• Givenchy Gentlemen Only

Notes of the original fragrance, as listed in fragrance references.

Top notes: Bitter Orange, Grapefruit, Bergamot, Mandarin

Heart notes: Coffee Flower, Black Pepper, Amyris, Tobacco Blossom

Base notes: Vetiver, Patchouli

Bitter orange and grapefruit open it, and bergamot with mandarin adds a smoother citrus layer.

Pepper and coffee flower form the heart, with amyris and tobacco blossom underneath; the coffee is airy rather than roasted.

It settles on vetiver and patchouli, dry and fairly sheer.

Is Givenchy Play for men discontinued?

It no longer appears in Givenchy's men's range and at least one large EU retailer shows it as out of stock. Givenchy has not published a statement about it.

Is this the men's Play or Play For Her?

The men's Play Eau de Toilette from 2008. Play For Her is a separate women's fragrance, which we also make.

Does Play smell of coffee?

Only lightly. The note is coffee flower, which is more floral than roasted beans, and it sits behind the citrus and pepper.

Is Givenchy Play coming back?

So far, we have found no announcement from Givenchy that it will return. Our version is an eau de parfum in 50 ml or 100 ml.

Inside the EU, delivery is free on orders of €49 or more. Below that it is a flat €4.99. Outside the EU, delivery is a flat €4.99 on every order. We send every order in 1 to 2 working days. It arrives in 3 to 7 days across the EU and in 7 to 14 days outside the EU. You have 14 days to return an unopened bottle.

Givenchy and Play are trademarks of their respective owners, and all rights remain with them. Parfumour is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or connected to Givenchy in any way, and no business relationship of any kind is implied. Our product is an original interpretation created to evoke a similar scent profile, and the trademark names are used purely for honest, descriptive comparison, so that you can quickly identify the style and fragrance family you are looking for. We make no claim to sell the original product, and we do not use the same ingredients or formula. Any similarity lies in the overall impression of the scent as interpreted by our own perfumers, not in the source materials.