Parfumerie Lalanne

Charles Lalanne initially ran a beauty salon at 3 rue d’Aguesseau in Paris, where he established his reputation as an innovative figure in the beauty industry. Around 1919, he founded Parfums Lalanne, a short-lived but versatile company that not only created perfumes but also produced a wide range of cosmetics, perfumed soaps, hair care products, and various toiletries. The company operated until 1933, when it was acquired by Académie Scientifique de Beauté. Lalanne’s venture stood out during its time for the diversity of its offerings and for incorporating both traditional and inventive beauty solutions.

Throughout the 1910s and 1920s, Charles Lalanne was known for his patented hair care innovations. He developed a number of unique hair waving devices, hair tinting methods, wig-making techniques, and other specialized beauty products. Among his more unusual creations was a "Barrette parfumée," an intriguing item that seemed to function as a perfume-infused hair barrette, offering a wearable fragrance accessory.

In the 1920s, Parfums Lalanne made its way into the U.S. market through the Hartour Company, based in Boston, Massachusetts. Known for importing a selection of prestigious French perfumes, Hartour introduced American consumers to Lalanne’s unique fragrance offerings alongside other French brands, including Fioret. This partnership allowed Parfums Lalanne to reach a wider audience, appealing to American tastes for French luxury and elegance. Hartour’s role as a distributor was essential in helping establish Lalanne’s presence and reputation in the United States during a period when French perfumes were seen as the pinnacle of sophistication and allure.

In terms of the company’s physical locations, the business evolved in key Parisian sites over several years. In 1905, Lalanne’s salon was situated at 3 rue d’Aguesseau, but by 1907, it had moved to the highly fashionable 100 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré. By 1910, Parfums Lalanne had set up at 104 rue Faubourg-Saint-Honoré, marking the official beginning of its journey into the world of fine fragrance and beauty. Despite its eventual acquisition, Parfums Lalanne left a mark on the Parisian beauty scene, remembered for its mix of creativity and technical sophistication.

 

List of Lalanne Perfumes:

• 1913 Fraisy (a cosmetic line of cream, face powder and soap)
• 1919 Ambre des Roi
• 1920 Le Jardin Ferme
• 1920 Le Bonheur Qui Passe
• 1920 Suivez Ma Route
• 1920 Coeur de Gitane
• 1920 Corsaire
• 1920 Heure Tendre
• 1920 Intimite
• 1920 L'Oeillet
• 1920 Mia Flor
• 1920 Le Foin Coupe
• 1920 Mes Orchidees
• 1921 Chypre

Fraisy:

The Fraisy line, introduced in 1913, offered a range of cosmetic products, including creams, face powders, and soaps. The name suggests a “strawberry” theme, hinting at a light, fresh scent likely reminiscent of strawberries or perhaps berry-laden notes. This would have been an enticing, sweet aroma, suited to daily beauty routines, perhaps with a soft, delicate fragrance that lingered on the skin.

Ambre des Rois:

Launched in 1919, Ambre des Rois, translating to "Amber of the Kings," likely presented a regal and warm fragrance profile centered around rich ambergris. Amber, known for its deep, resinous, and somewhat spicy quality, would give this perfume a rich, opulent feel, fitting for a fragrance intended to evoke royalty and luxury.

Le Jardin Fermé:

Le Jardin Fermé (“The Enclosed Garden”) from 1920 suggests an intimate, lush fragrance, perhaps inspired by a private, walled garden filled with an array of blooming flowers and greenery. This perfume might have contained green, floral notes, evoking a secret garden’s seclusion, mystery, and natural beauty.

Le Bonheur Qui Passe

Translating to "Passing Happiness," Le Bonheur Qui Passe, launched in 1920, conveys a fleeting, delicate experience, likely captured through airy floral or citrus notes. It may have had a fresh and ethereal quality, offering a soft, uplifting scent that fades like a gentle, joyful memory.

Suivez Ma Route:

With a name that means "Follow My Path," Suivez Ma Route from 1920 hints at a confident, intriguing fragrance, perhaps containing woody or oriental notes that convey a sense of adventure. This perfume could have had an inviting complexity, with layers unfolding over time, inviting wearers on a sensory journey.

Coeur de Gitane:

Launched in 1920, the perfume name Coeur de Gitane (“Heart of the Gypsy”) suggests a bold, free-spirited scent. This fragrance might have featured warm, exotic notes like spices, incense, or florals, reflecting a bohemian, romantic character with a rich and sensual aroma reminiscent of faraway places.

Corsaire:

Introduced in 1920, Corsaire, or “Pirate,” evokes the rebellious spirit of seafarers, possibly combining marine, spicy, and earthy notes. This adventurous scent might have brought to mind salty sea air, driftwood, ambergris and spices, capturing the rough yet alluring life on the open sea.

Heure Tendre:

Translating to "Tender Hour," the 1920 perfume Heure Tendre hints at a soft, comforting scent—likely a gentle blend of powdery florals, soft woods, or perhaps even aldehydes, which would lend a serene, nostalgic air. This fragrance may have been subtle, ideal for close, quiet moments.

Intimité:

With a name meaning "Intimacy," Intimité, introduced in 1920, was likely a close-wearing scent, intended to enhance personal allure. This fragrance could have featured warm, sensual notes like musk, vanilla, or soft florals, creating an inviting, romantic fragrance with understated appeal.

L'Oeillet:

Named for “The Carnation,” the 1920 perfume L'Oeillet would have showcased the spicy, clove-like fragrance of carnations. Carnation scents are known for their peppery, floral quality, giving the perfume a lively, distinctive aroma that would stand out among other florals.

Mia Flor:

The name Mia Flor translates to "My Flower," suggesting a personal, floral fragrance. This perfume from 1920 might have centered on a single flower or a harmonious bouquet, perhaps with warm, creamy or powdery floral tones, offering a charming, timeless allure.

Le Foin Coupé:

Le Foin Coupé, or “Cut Hay,” likely evoked the earthy, green scent of freshly mown hay, suggestive of the countryside. With its natural, grassy notes, this fragrance from 1920 may have had an organic, slightly sweet quality, largely featuring tonka bean, evoking summer fields and open landscapes.

Mes Orchidées:

Meaning "My Orchids," Mes Orchidées from 1920 would likely have presented an exotic, floral fragrance inspired by the orchid’s delicate and refined scent. Orchids can have a creamy, slightly sweet aroma, so this perfume might have been soft, elegant, and subtly sensual.

Chypre:

Chypre, introduced in 1921, belonged to a classic family of fragrances, typically characterized by bergamot, oakmoss, and labdanum. This fragrance likely balanced fresh citrus top notes with rich, mossy, earthy undertones, creating a complex and timeless scent structure. Chypres are known for their sophistication and depth, appealing to refined tastes.