Le Dix by Balenciaga c1947

Le Dix by Balenciaga: launched in 1947 and created by perfumer Francis Fabron. Balenciaga named his perfume Le Dix after his Paris address: Number 10 Avenue George V.

Fragrance Composition:

So what does the original smell like? It is classified as an aldehydic chypre floral fragrance for women. It is a bouquet of roses, jasmine, iris and violets. Soft, romantic; a floral blend of violet, Bulgarian and Moroccan rose essences, Beautifully feminine.

• Top notes: aldehydes, bergamot, lemon, peach, coriander, strawberry, sloe
• Middle notes: lily of the valley, violet, lilac, jasmine absolute, rose absolute, ylang ylang, iris
• Base notes: leather, rosewood, patchouli, orris, musk, vanilla, vetiver, amber, tonka bean, Peru balsam, benzoin, sandalwood, civet

The New Yorker, 1952:

"Balenciaga's Le Dix is in the inviting fruit-and-flowers tradition of Rochas' Femme (q.v.), but he's also come up with La Fuite des Heures, which is woodier, odd and elfin. These two are at Saks Fifth Avenue."

Combat, 1954:

"Eau Le Dix de Balenciaga - in its panoply of green sabers, the iris straightens its purple coat. The tender scent of its roots combines with exhalations of amber and jasmine where smells of strawberry, sloe and peach, mouth-watering. They impregnate the fruity satin with a golden flesh. That of a healthy goddess of summer, dozing on the rough grass or the receding sand. She inhales the make firmament and lends the landscape a voluptuous meaning."

Combat, 1955:

"It is in the subterranean part of her green sabers that the iris, in a purple coat of crumpled paper, distills her aroma of coquettish ancestor. Traitorously powdering their fragrance, it stands out in particular in Balenciaga's Le Dix, perfume of a healthy goddess and, of course, in Jacques Fath's Iris Gris, which seems to be enough for the sultriness of dancing skirts."

Fodor's France, 1958:

"Balenciaga. "Le Dix," designed for brunettes; "Fuite des heures," languishing; "Quadrille," spicy."

Penthouse, 1967:

"LE DIX: A harmony of roses and jasmine for the precious pet. the young lady who is shy but aware."

Bottles:

The original bottle for Le Dix was a short, square, clear glass flacon with a chunky round glass stopper as shown in this 1947 ad.

It was quickly housed in the familiar oval, fluted bottle with the matching glass stopper. This bottle was to hosue all the Balenciaga perfumes over the years.

To open the classic Balenciaga crystal flacon, use the following tip provided by Parfums Balenciaga themselves in 1963: "Briefly immerse neck of bottle in boiling water; loop strong twine around neck and with a seesaw motion add more heat. The top is treaded, easy to hold firmly, twists off without difficulty."

The original parfum was housed in the ribbed crystal bottle. The parfum was available in the following sizes;

• 1/4 oz
• 1/2 oz
• 1 oz
• 2 oz
• 4 oz
• Purse Spray

The original Eau de Toilette was available in the following:

• 1.75 oz
• 4 oz
• 7 oz
• 15 oz
• 32 oz

Le Dix was also available in Bath Oil and Talcum Powder.