CLEOPATRA'S BOUDOIR

Boué Soeurs, a successful couture house established by two French sisters, Sylie and Jeanne, in 1899, offered perfumes as part of their exquisite fashion line. Talented and business minded, they opened ateliers in Paris, New York , Palm Beach, San Francisco, London & Bucharest from 1899-1935.

Their breathtaking  fashions, characterized by a romantic mixture of dreamy transparent lace, light refracting silver and gold lame, signature tiny ribbonwork rosettes, ethereal passementerie and gathered silk ribbons. All of their fashions were completely handmade and elegant in their undertaking.

Boue Soeurs first perfume presentation was for the fragrance Quand les Fleurs Revent (When Flowers Dream) in 1922 and was made at their ancient Chateau de Maison Rouges outside Paris.

The bottles for their perfumes had long necks and the bases were unusual crinoline or pannier shaped, mimicking the Parisian fashions of the day that harked back to the elegant pre-Revolution days of Marie Antoinette. All of the flacons were adorned with paper that simulated lace, in addition to the tiny silk rosettes and pastel ribbons that were found on their clothing.

The perfumes of Boue Soeurs:

• 1922 Quand les Fleurs Revent
• 1923 Pour L’Amour
• 1924 Cantique du Roy
• 1925 Cytherea
• 1925 Bacchanale
• 1925 Parfums Boue

It is interesting to note that in 1925, the perfume house of Marques de Elorza launched a perfume of Quand les Fleurs Revent, the same name as Boue Soeurs first fragrance, this is because the two houses were associated. In addition to this perfume, Marques de Elorza also launched perfumes such as Sylvie after Sylvie Soeurs.

The house of Marques de Elorza was established by Marques Julio Lupus de Elorza at 73 avenue Champs-Elysees, Paris in 1926, Christie Mayer Lefkowith mentions that the company was established by Avran Moscovici. Their company as also affiliated to Chenier, Parfumerie Brecher, and Parfums de Paul and associated with Boue Sœurs. You will see the same perfume names used by Boue Soeurs and Marques de Elorza. The company produced interesting and luxurious perfume presentations, but as the 1930s started, their presentations were of lesser quality.

The bottle for Cantique des Antiques (Song of Songs) was designed by Julien Viard and made by Verreries Leune. The bottles for both Valencia and Argentina were also designed by Julien Viard and manufactured by Depinoix. Argentina was not named for the country but rather for a popular opera singer at the time, the perfume was the re-branded fragrance 'Soir de Lune' by Parfumerie Brecher. 

The perfume bottle for Marche Nuptiale (Wedding March) was the re-branded fragrance ‘Marché Nuptiale’ by André Chenier. Presented in a bottle designed by Julien Viard, and manufactured by Depinoix, which featured a bride holding hands with Cupid. The name was taken from a then popular Parisian play.

The perfumes of Marques de Elorza:

• 1925 Bacchanale
• 1925 Bleu-Blanc
• 1925 Blue Ribbon
• 1925 Cantique du Roy
• 1925 Lilac de Minuit
• 1925 Parfums Boue
• 1925 Quand les Fleurs Rêvent
• 1925 Sylvie
• 1925 Sylviette
• 1925 Sylvita
• 1928 Cantique des Cantiques
• 1928 Lyrysis
• 1928 Radior
• 1928 Solarine
• 1928 Sybyl
• 1929 Legion d'Honneur
• 1929 Maitresse
• 1929 Marché Nuptile
• 1929 Sweet Peas de Printemps
• 1929 Valencia
• 1929 Argentina
• 1950 Ming Jade
• 1951 Aperitiff
• 1951 La Fleur Merveilleuse
• 1951 Spring Madness
• 1951 Taj Mahal
• 1951 White Enchantment
• 1951 Do-Re-Me

Sweet Peas de Printemps by Marques de Elorza c1929

 Andre Chenier was a Franco-American perfumer based in New York, the company launched their own range of fragrances as well a supplying B. Altman department stores with specially commissioned perfumes.

The perfumes of Andre Chenier:

• 1925 Myrys
• 1925 Ondés d’Amour
• 1929 Honeysuckle Blossom
• 1929 Valencia
• 1929 Bouquet de Souvenirs
• 1930 16
• 1930 Marché Nuptiale
• 1930 Corsage du Temps
• 1930 Apple Blossom

From 1931, the following perfumes were specially commissioned for B. Altman: Jasmine, Lysystra, Spring Madness, Chenier, Chypre, Rose, Sweet Pea, Lilac and finally Andalusia in 1947.

Parfumerie Brecher was established by Paul Brecher in Pontoise at Paris around1910. Jacques Ernest Mazurier became owner after 1918 moved company to 10 boulevard Bonne Nouvelle, Paris; affiliated with Benoit and Marquis de Elorza. Perfumes labeled ‘Aux Perfumeries Reunites’ . Brecher’s perfume Soir de Lune was presented in a cobalt blue glass flacon designed by Julien Viard and manufactured by Depinoix. The perfume Sous de Charmille (Under the Bower) was also created by Julien Viard and made by Depinoix. Created for Dubarry. Presented in a bottle designed by Julien Viard and made by C Depinoix et Fils. Parfumerie Brecher also had a line of solid perfumes starting in 1929, Amour de Folie, Jasmin, Lilas, Violette and possibly others.

The perfumes of Brecher:

• 1924 Sous de Charmille
• 1925 Œillet
• 1925 Chypre
• 1925 Doux Réve
• 1925 Le Temp des Fleurs
• 1925 Le Vrai Narcisse
• 1925 Les Fleurettes/Mes Fleurettes
• 1925 Muguet
• 1925 Tabac Jaune
• 1927 Bonjour Paris
• 1929 Amour de Folie
• 1929 Lolita
• 1930 En Promenade

Parfums de Paul was established by D.P. Paul in 366 Fifth Avenue New York and Paris and active between the two World Wars producing novelties and luxury presentations; they were affiliated to Marquis de Elorza. The bottle for Nuit de Mariage by Parfums de Paul was presented in a bottle, box and label by B.T.C.I.C.. Also in a bottle made by Verrières Viard.

The perfumes of Parfums de Paul:

• 1926 Nuit de Mariage