Balenciaga Returns to Fragrance with a Vintage-Infused Debut Collection
Balenciaga is stepping back into the world of perfume with a striking first collection that blends heritage, craftsmanship, and a powerful sense of nostalgia. The reveal began quietly but intentionally: the brand wiped its Instagram feed clean, replacing everything with a single cryptic video of a flower field in Grasse, the cradle of fine perfumery. Soon came an archival poster featuring Le Dix, the house’s first fragrance from 1947, followed by images of rose petals steeping in vats. The message was clear. Balenciaga was ready to reclaim its place in the olfactory arts.
STYLE & JEWELRY
11/14/20251 min read
A Return Rooted in Heritage
The new fragrance line pays tribute to the very origins of the house. Its ten scents are housed in bottles that appear to have travelled through time — exact replicas of the original 1947 design crafted by Cristóbal Balenciaga.
Fifteen years of research were required to unearth, scan, and reproduce this historic flacon with meticulous precision. Every curve, every proportion, every detail echoes the original. Even the box has been reimagined with faded corners and a purposely aged appearance, as if found in the back of a vintage vanity. This timeless aesthetic is juxtaposed with Balenciaga’s signature industrial grey outer packaging, creating a sharp interplay between past and present.
Scents Shaped by Memory
The nostalgic visual universe carries through to the compositions themselves. Each of the ten perfumes has a distinct personality, yet all share a luxurious powdery signature that speaks to the quality of the raw materials and the refined craftsmanship behind the project.
Muscara, a blend of musk and cosmetic notes, evokes freshly applied nail polish softened by ambrette seed. Cristóbal Balenciaga, named for the founder, conveys his enigmatic nature through deep oud facets. To Be Confirmed offers crystalline tulip and white tea notes, celebrating the beauty of the unfinished. Twenty Four Seven wraps the skin in warm vanilla, amber, and musk, like slipping into cashmere.
And at the heart of the collection stands Le Dix — the legendary fragrance that once marked the beginning of Balenciaga’s olfactory story. This modern reinterpretation remains faithful to its roots: opulent iris, green violet leaf, and touches of incense come together in a refined, couture-like cloud. Elegant, structured, and unmistakably Balenciaga.
A New Chapter Begins
The launch marks a significant moment for the house, bridging past and future through craftsmanship and emotion. These are fragrances designed not just to be worn, but to be experienced — olfactory objects that tell the story of a heritage revived.
The full Balenciaga fragrance collection is now available on balenciaga.com, at 10 Avenue George V in Paris, and in select boutiques across Europe and the United States.
