In 1931, Marcel ROCHAS opened his fashion house to the 12 Matignon avenue. His customers are composed, amongst other things, stars Hollywood such as Carole Lombard, Marlène Dietrich, etc… For the actress Mae West, Marcel Rochas have created a black wasp-waisted corset of chantilly. It appeared that the shapes of the woman have inspired him for the creation of the bottle of perfume "FEMME". At the request of Marcel Rochas, in 1944, Edmond Roudnitska created the perfume « FEMME ». This last will be proposed with the public in 1945.

Marcel Rochas and Mae West

Femme

"FEMME" was not the first perfume of Marcel Rochas, because in 1936, there was "AIR JEUNE", "AUDACE" and "AVENUE MATIGNON", these perfumes were sold exclusively in the shows of the dressmaker. They will be withdrawn from the sale at the beginning of the war. The bottle amphora of "FEMME" will be drawn by Marcel Rochas and Albert Gosset and will be proposed with the public equipped with black lace. A bottle of luxury out of numbered crystal will be signed Marc Lalique..

In 1946, a new perfume "MOUSSELINE" was launched taking again the bottle amphora of ?FEMME? but was equipped with lace gold. In 1948, "MOUCHE" was created equipped with turquoise lace (MOUCHE was the name of the cat of Mr ROCHAS). These two fragrances will be withdrawn from the sale in 1962. In 1949, the perfume the "ROSE" equipped with lace pink was launched and was withdrawn from the sale in 1973. "MOUSTACHE" (male fragrance) was also created in 1949. All these perfumes were compositions by Edmond Roudnitska.

Moustache

Madame Rochas

In 1955, with the death of Marcel Rochas (it was 53 years old), the fashion house closed. The associate of Marcel Rochas decided to continue the perfumery activity. He asked Helene Rochas being president of the company (she was 28 years old and was one of the youngest chairmen of France). She will remain with the head of the house of Rochas perfume until 1971. A new fragrance for the women of the Sixties was born and was entitled "MADAME ROCHAS". This perfume was created by Guy Robert (and reorchestrated in 1982 by Jean-Louis Sieuzac and Jacques Fraysse). The bottle will be the counterpart of a janusette XVIIIème century out of Baccarat crystal that Helene Rochas discovered in a Parisian antique dealer.

EIn 1969, Guy Robert created "MONSIEUR ROCHAS". The Rochas house engaged Nicolas Mamounas, perfumer, for the development of the future Rochas perfumes. In 1970, "EAU DE ROCHE" became "EAU DE ROCHAS". In 1972, the Rochas house started again "AUDACE" but this one will be withdrawn from the sales in 1978; this same year "MYSTERE" was created; in 1980, "MACASSAR", (perfume for man) and in 1984, "LUMIERE".

Lumière

Byzance

In 1987, Laurent Normand left Chanel to become President de Rochas and entrusted to Olivier Crep (Quest International) the modernization of "FEMME" and it is this year there that BYZANCE will be born. This very Eastern perfume will be launched in a blue bottle cobalt, a color that Marcel Rochas found beautiful and magic. A medallion, symbol of the Rochas house was posed on the ribbon fuschia.

In 1993, launching of "EAU DE ROCHAS" for man. In 1994, Maurice Roucel created the perfume "TOCADE". The bottle will be a resumption of the bottle "FEMME" but rehabilitated by Serge Mansau. This one will be thinner with in more one collar and a witch's hat.

Tocade

Alchimie

In 1995, launching of "BYZANTINE", in 1997, "TOCCADILLY", in 1998, "ALCHIMIE" composed by Jacques Cavallier will be defined as a fresh sensual floral perfume in a pretty bottle of Serge Mansau. In 2002, launching of "AQUAWOMAN", its creator are Michel Almeiras (Robertel).

Composition of "Femme"