La Fuite des Heures/Fleeting Moment by Balenciaga c1947

La Fuite des Heures by Balenciaga was launched in 1947, a year of great renewal and reinvention following the devastation of World War II. Its name, La Fuite des Heures, translates from French to "The Flight of the Hours" — pronounced roughly as "la fweet dez urr". The phrase evokes the poetic sensation of time slipping away, especially in moments of love or passion. Balenciaga himself noted that he chose the name because he imagined "when you're in love, the hours fly by" — a romantic concept rendered even more poignant in a postwar world where time, beauty, and love had taken on new significance.

The perfume’s title alone conjures an air of wistful elegance — an afternoon sun streaming through gauzy curtains, the clock forgotten in the company of a lover, or the dreamy trance of walking through a garden lost in thought. It suggests fleeting beauty, the ephemeral nature of emotion, and the almost surreal way that time bends in moments of joy or desire. In scent, La Fuite des Heures becomes a translation of that sensation — a fragrance meant to capture time’s evanescence, framed in delicate florals and mysterious woods.

Launched in the same year as Dior’s revolutionary New Look, 1947 marked the beginning of a postwar fashion renaissance. Designers returned to sumptuous fabrics, longer hemlines, and sculptural silhouettes that emphasized femininity. Balenciaga, already renowned for his refined aesthetic, aligned his perfume offering with the same ethos. La Fuite des Heures fit beautifully into this new mood — elegant yet gentle, worldly but subtle. Women of the era, emerging from years of rationing and restraint, would have seen this perfume as a symbol of romance, self-indulgence, and quiet sophistication.

Created by the visionary Germaine Cellier — one of the most daring perfumers of the 20th century — La Fuite des Heures was a floral chypre with delicate but distinctive touches. Jasmine and rose dominated the floral heart, softened by thyme and subtle spices, all resting on a woody oriental base. The result was a fragrance that was light and sweet, yet imbued with complexity. Critics of the time and retrospectives alike describe it as “elfin” and “odd,” suggesting a whimsical, almost otherworldly character, rare in the more straightforward florals of the day.

Cialenga by Balenciaga c1973

Cialenga, a fragrance by Balenciaga, was introduced to the market in 1973, crafted by the renowned perfumer Jacques Jantzen. The name "Cialenga" is intriguing, as it doesn’t have a direct translation or clear meaning in any particular language, which suggests that Balenciaga may have chosen it for its abstract qualities and the images it evokes. The name feels exotic, mysterious, and perhaps even slightly foreign, with an almost lyrical quality that seems to dance off the tongue. This makes it both memorable and captivating, much like the fragrance itself. When spoken, "Cialenga" conjures visions of elegance and allure, and perhaps, of a lush, verdant garden rich with blooms. It’s a name that invites curiosity and promises a sensory escape—an invitation that would appeal to women looking for sophistication and an air of mystery in their fragrance choices.

"Who is Cialenga? A magnificent obsession. A swirl of jasmine, a whisper of wildflowers, a fragrance so hauntingly beautiful, a man could get lost in it..."

Cialenga is a soft, fresh green floral chypre, a composition that captures the era's sophisticated tastes. This fragrance opens with delicate fruity notes, revealing a heart of floral splendor featuring jasmine, Taif roses, and hyacinth. These floral elements blend seamlessly with the exotic, warm tones of ylang-ylang, grounding sandalwood, and earthy patchouli, creating a fragrance that is both sensuous and grounded. Its unique profile would likely evoke images of lush, green landscapes kissed by morning dew, with flowers in full bloom—an experience that feels both familiar and dreamlike.