Friday, July 18, 2014

Les Parfums de Mistinguett

Les Parfums de Mistinguett was established in 1921 by the Parisian star of the Folies Bergere, Mistinguett. 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.



Bottles:

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: 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 each day of the week and one for the perfume's name.

Author Christie Mayer Lefkowith explained that each of these perfumes had something to with Mistinguett's personal life. For example, the perfume 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 price to visit Paris. Mistinguett may have also gave 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:

  • 1914 Ma Semaine
  • 1921 La Rose de Mistinguett
  • 1921 Napoleon
  • 1923 Muguet
  • 1924 Gri Gri d'Amour
  • 1924 5 a7
  • 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
  • 1925 N'est ca Pas




Lyrics to Jen ai Marre:
De tout l'temps me taire
J'en ai plein l'dos
Il faut qu'ça sorte
J'suis lasse d'encaisser
Sans dire un mot
Tout c'que j'supporte

Je sais bien qu'c'est idiot
De se rebiffer, j'en conviens,
C'est pas ça qui m'f'ra bouffer
Ca n'fait rien,
Je sens qu'ça finit par m'étouffer
J'ai fait tout c'que j'ai pu
A la fin, j'en peux plus

Toujours au turbin
Du soir au matin
Moi j'en ai marre !
De toujours manger
D'la vache enragée
Moi j'en ai marre !

Se dire que ma peine,
J'la traîne fourbue
Jusqu'à ç'que je crève
Sans rêve, sans but,
N'avoir pour toilettes
Que celles que l'on jette
Moi j'en ai marre !
N'avoir pour croquenots
Que ceux qui prennent l'eau
Moi j'en ai marre !

Si c'est ça la vie
Eh bien, je vous l'déclare
Sans être socialo
C'est pas rigolo
Et moi j'en ai marre !
Toujours au turbin
Du soir au matin
Moi j'en ai marre !
Vivre nuit et jour
Sans un peu d'amour
Moi j'en ai marre !
En fait de tendresses,
De caresses, je n'ai rien
Que celles que, si bonnes,
Me donne mon chien

Recevoir des beignes
Sans qu'personne me plaigne
Moi j'en ai marre !
Voir quand on m'approche
Que les gens m'trouvent moche
Moi j'en ai marre !
Si c'est ça la vie
Eh bien, je vous l' déclare
Sans être socialo
C'est pas rigolo
Et moi j'en ai marre !

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