IPBA Mistinguett Company History

Les Parfums de Mistinguett was established in 1921 by the Parisian star of the Folies Bergere, Mistinguett. Mistinguett, born Jeanne Florentine Bourgeois (3 April 1875 – 5 January 1956); was a French actress and singer. She was at one time the highest-paid female entertainer in the world with her legs insured for 500,000 Francs. The luxury perfume boutique was located at 24 boulevard des Capucines, in Paris.

Maurice Blanchet of Coryse (later Coryse Salome) was commissioned to create Mistinguett’s perfumes and were produced in his factory in Suresnes. Les Parfums des Mistinguett only stayed in business until 1925, for reasons unknown.

Mistinguett commissioned Lalique, Andre Jollivet and Henri Hamm to design flacons for her perfumes, but only Andre Jollivet and Henri Hamm’s examples were used. The bottle for “N’est ce Pas” was created by Andre Jollivet.

The presentation for “Ma Semaine” (My Week) was created by Henri Hamm. This presentation included seven perfumes, one for each day of the week: “My Homme”, “Nuit Tombante”, “Mon Vice”, “Hiro-Hito Parfum Japonais”, “5 a 7”, “Violettes”, “La Rose de Mistinguett”. Each flacon had three labels, one for her company, one for the day of the week, and one for the perfume’s name.

Author Christie Mayer Lefkowith explained that the names her perfumes may have had something to with Mistinguett’s personal life.

  • “Mon Homme” (My Man) was the title of her signature song and also a name of one of her dogs.
  • “Nuit Tombante” (Nightfall) may refer to the time that she performed on stage.
  • “Hiro-Hito Parfum Japonais” may be in reference to Hirohito’s visit to Paris in 1921, the first Japanese prince to visit Paris (she may have also given homage to her Japanese artist friends, such as Foujita).
  • “Mon Vice” may be some sort of bad habit she is not revealing to the public.
  • “5 a 7” refers to the hours of 5 thru 7, said to be the associated time for romantic liaisons.
  • “Violette”, “Lilas”, “Muguet” and “La Rose” may refer to her favorite flowers or scents.
  • “J’en ai Marre” (I’m fed up with it!) was her theme song.
  • “N’est ce Pas” (It’s Not It!) may be a failed song or other frustration.

The perfume bottle for “Napoleon” was in the shape of a wee Napoleonic tricorn hat, which retailed for $7.80 in 1921.

The petals of a rose concealed the bottle for “La Rose”, which retailed for $8.84 in 1921. By 1922, the price rose to $16.50.

The perfumes of Les Parfums de Mistinguett:

1921 La Rose de Mistinguett
1921 Napoleon
1923 Muguet
1924 Cri Cri d’Amour
1924 5 a 7
1924 Hiro-Hito
1924 J’en ai Marre
1924 Lilas
1924 Miki
1924 Mon Homme
1924 Mon Vice
1924 Nuit Tombante
1924 Oui et Non
1924 Violette
1924 Ma Semaine

Source: Cleopatra’s Boudoir

See Mistinguett items in our Virtual Museum.

International Perfume Bottle Association
Incorporated in Illinois, USA

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