CLEOPATRA'S BOUDOIR

Pierre Balmain was born in Aix-les-Bains, Savoie, France on May 18, 1914. He later attended Grenoble University and after moving to Paris, he studied architecture and design at the Ecole des Beaux Arts.

Balmain's career began when he sold three of his designs to Robert Piguet. In 1934, he took a part time job with Captain Molyneux, who encouraged him to pursue a fashion career, and remained employed with Molyneux until 1939 Then for Lucien Lelong. 

World War II stepped in and Balmain served in the army for two years, after which he returned to Paris and accepted a position with Christian Dior, which lasted more than four years. 

In 1945, Balmain opened his couture house, Maison Balmain at 44 rue Francois I er in Paris. His collections were an immediate success and he acquired a very wealthy and titled clientele such as Eva Peron, the Queen of Thailand, the Empress of Japan, Katherine Hepburn, Vivien Leigh and Marlene Dietrich.

. Balmain was credited by many as the innovator of "The New Look" and his designs were noted for their shapely silhouettes as well as their elegance and wearability.

Before he died in 1982, Balmain was decorated many times, he was made a Chevalier Legoin d'Hennoeur in 1962, received the Medaille Vermeil of the City of Paris in 1965 and in 1978,he became an officer f the Legion of Honour.

Balmain entered into the perfume industry in 1946 with the introduction of Elysées 64 83. He created fragrances to express his romantic vision of women and elegance.

Perfume business bought by Revlon in 1960. In 1982 the company was sold on and since 1991has been owned by Erich Fayer. However the company filed for bankruptcy protection in 2004, currently attempting a comeback under Creative Director Christophe Decarnin.

His advertisements were illustrated by the artist, Rene Gruau.

The Perfumes of Balmain:

• 1946 Elysees 64-83
• 1947 Vent Vert
• 1953 Jolie Madame
• 1964 Monsieur Balmain
• 1967 Miss Balmain
• 1980 Ivoire
• 1998 Balmain
• 2000 Eau d'Ivoire
• 2002 Balmya

The perfumes:

Vent Vert: One of the first fresh, green notes. Vent Vert was a trendsetting fragrance in 1947 and represented the forests and ferns of France . Its unique composition of jonquil, lily of the valley, narcissus and rose.

Jolie Madame: his was the name of Balmain's fashion collection, and the perfume was first presented in 1953, is a leathery, floral perfume, with dominant notes of jasmine, rose de mai,tuberose and the wild essences of neroli laced with subtle spice and woody notes. This fragrance came in perfume, cologne and eau de toilette.