Bienaimé, Bienaime, Vermeil, 'Vermilion', 120 ml. or 4 oz. Flacon, Eau de Cologne, 1935, Paris, France ..

Robert Bienaimé studied the chemistry of perfume in college and excelled. Within three years Bienaimé had mastered the basics of perfume creation and had adopted a creation style of his own. He worked initially for Houbigant, and continued to create for Houbigant until sometime shortly after the financial meltdown of 1929.

After the death of Paul Parquet at Houbigant, Robert Bienaimé became co-partner with Fernando Javal, son of the late Alfred Javal, Parquet's partner in Houbigant who had worked the marketing and production sides of the business. The Houbigant firm briefly took on the Javal name and then became Bienaimé Houbigant. During these years of expansion Bienaimé brought to Houbigant the talents of Paul Schving, Paul Leroux, Raymond Kling, André Copaux, Degont Desplanques and Marcel Billot among others.

In 1935, Bienaimé launched his own Paris fragrance house, originally located at 396-rue saint-Honoré, Paris, where Bienaimé began to create fragrances under his own name. Bienaimé fragrances continued to appear during the 1940's and existed until 1950, but it would appear that the house did not survive for long after the war. Bienaimé also launched a cosmetics company under the name Robel. In spite of considerable activity in support of various industrial processes and other institutions, Bienaimé continued his involvement in his own perfume company until his death in 1960 at the age of 84.

Robert Bienaimé is one of my favourite perfumers of all time. He created' La Vie en Fleurs' in 1935, right at the same time he launched 'Fleurs D'Ete'. Both are the most beautiful feminine florals. As perfumer for Houbigant from around 1910 to 1935, Robert Bienaimé created fragrances such as Lilac, a single flower fragrance and, one of Houbigant's all time best sellers, Quelques Fleurs, a floral bouquet.

No notes have been available about Vermeil. It smells so wonderful and is long lasting. It has racy leather notes, that are soft, suede like, and warm. I imagine its structure to be something like this ..

Top notes are Neroli, Petitgrain, Orange Blossom, and Bergamot
Heart notes are Rose, Carnation, Jasmine, Ylang Ylang, and Honeysuckle
Base notes are Sandalwood, Leather, Vanilla, Ambergris, Spices, and Benzoin

Vermeil was launched in 1935. 'Vermeil is an oriental scent for women with rich touches of precious woods, balsamic notes of vanilla and ambergris married with opulent florals mixed with pungent spices. I can attest to the fact that it smells wonderful .. a combination of floral, woody, and leathery notes.' Cleopatra's Boudoir

Offered here is a beautiful bottle of the Vermeil eau de cologne in a handsome bottle with brass top. It comes in its own presentation box. Equally suitable for both men and women .. it has a certain sweetness that lingers beautifully ..