Pierre Balmain, Jolie Madame, 'Pretty Woman', Soft Leather or Cuir, 60 ml. or 2 oz. Flacon, Parfum Extrait, 1953, Paris, France ..

Pierre Balmain was born in Aix-les-Bains, Savoie, France on May 18, 1914. Balmain's father, who died when the future designer was seven years old, was the owner of a wholesale drapery business. His mother and her sisters operated a fashion boutique.

He later attended Grenoble University and after moving to Paris, he studied architecture and design at the Ecole des Beaux Arts, but did not complete his studies. He spent his time there designing dresses. While attending the Ecole des Beaux Arts, Balmain went to Molyneux, who promised to give him a trial. Balmain then left his architectural studies to work part time for Molyneux in 1934. It was Captain Molyneux who encouraged Balmain to pursue a fashion career, and so he remained employed with Molyneux until 1939. Balmain's career began when he sold three of his designs to Robert Piguet.

In 1951 he opened branches in the United States selling ready-to-wear clothes. During the 1950s, Balmain popularized the stole for day as well as evening wear and created a vogue for sheath dresses beneath jackets. His talent as a designer lay in his ability to make simple, tailored suits as well as grand evening gowns, all with the same aesthetic of slender and elegant lines.

The Balmain perfume business was bought by Revlon in 1960. In 1982 the company was sold on and since 1991 has been owned by Erich Fayer. Oscar de la Renta led the house between 1993 and 2002. Under Pierre Balmain, Mortensen, and de la Renta, the house was known for its classic, luxurious designs. Information from Wikipedia and other sources.

Launched in 1953, Jolie Madame is a beautiful Leather or Cuir fragrance. The nose behind this fragrance is Germaine Cellier.

Top notes are Artemisia, Coriander, Gardenia, Neroli, Bergamot, Petitgrain, and Cloves
Heart notes are Tuberose, Narcissus, Orris Root, Jasmine, Rose, Orange Blossom, Violet Leaf, and Lilac
Base notes are Leather, Patchouli, Coconut, Oak Moss, Vetiver, Cedar, and Tobacco

Offered here is a lovely pristine two ounce bottle of this classic perfume. The label is in good shape. It does have its original box. Very collectible now, and a real treasure from the fifties. Smells absolutely divine from the neck of the bottle. Hard to find this delicious and very complex perfume treasure now.