Debutante de Versailles by Jean Desprez c1958

As a tribute to the elegant American and French debutantes, the newborn belles of the ball, Jean Desprez created Debutante de Versailles in 1958, a limited edition perfume exclusively created for Daggett & Ramsdell.  The perfume was a tie in for Teleflora's Aura Arrangements campaign line of floral arrangements.

Bal a Versailles by Jean Desprez c1962

Bal a Versailles by Jean Desprez: launched in 1962.

As a tribute to the elegant American and French debutantes, the newborn belles of the ball, perfumer Jean Desprez created Debutante de Versailles, a limited edition fragrance exclusively created for New York cosmetics firm Daggett & Ramsdell. This opulent composition, made up of over 300 ingredients, was to become the legendary Bal a Versailles perfume in 1962, when it was offered to the public for the first time. The crystal bottles for Bal a Versailles featured an image of the famous Fragonard painting, Bal a Versailles on the label.

Janusette Perfume Presentation c1969

In 1969, Leon Leyritz, a renowned French sculptor, brought his artistic vision to the world of perfumery through a unique creation for Jean Desprez's iconic fragrance, Bal à Versailles. Leyritz, whose celebrated works include sculptures gracing the Paris Opera House, was tasked with designing a vessel worthy of the luxurious essence it would contain. His masterpiece for Desprez took the form of a striking statuette of Janus, the Roman god with two faces—a symbol deeply rooted in mythology, representing duality, beginnings, and transitions.

This design choice was both symbolic and elegant. Janus, with his ability to look simultaneously to the past and the future, reflected the timeless nature of Bal à Versailles, a fragrance that paid homage to the grandeur of Versailles while being firmly planted in the present. The sculpted bottle, with its two contrasting faces, also embodied the duality within the fragrance itself—rich, sensual, and opulent, yet also refined and delicate. The Janus figure, carved with Leyritz's signature attention to detail, added an air of classical sophistication to the perfume presentation, aligning perfectly with the aura of regal luxury that Bal à Versailles exuded.

Beyond its artistic merit, the Janus statuette also held practical value as it was designed to hold the precious perfume in a bottle concealed within the sculpture, merging form and function seamlessly. This collaboration between sculptor and perfumer elevated Bal à Versailles from a mere fragrance to a work of art, a collector's piece that appealed to both connoisseurs of fine perfume and admirers of high art.

Bal a Versailles - Le Parfum du Jour by Jean Desprez c1971

Bal à Versailles - Le Parfum du Jour by Jean Desprez, launched in 1971, was a fresh, airy interpretation of the classic Bal à Versailles. While it retained the elegance and opulence of the original fragrance, this version was crafted specifically for daytime wear, offering a lighter touch. Though less intense than its predecessor, it still showcased exceptional longevity—a testament to its high-quality formulation. Its concentration as a parfum de toilette (essentially what we now refer to as eau de parfum) struck the perfect balance between strength and subtlety, ensuring it lingered throughout the day.

The lighter composition of Le Parfum du Jour allowed for versatility, making it ideal for women seeking a scent that was both sophisticated and wearable during the day. It captured the same baroque sensibility that defined the original Bal à Versailles but in a way that was airy, fresh, and suitable for a variety of settings. Whether in a professional atmosphere or a more relaxed social setting, this fragrance radiated refinement and timeless grace, making it the ideal choice for the modern woman of the 1970s.

Despite its lighter, fresher composition, the fragrance did not sacrifice complexity or depth. Le Parfum du Jour still carried echoes of the luxurious sensuality of the original Bal à Versailles, drawing from the same rich palette of florals, resins, and spices but interpreted with a brighter, more luminous quality. This made it an appealing choice for women who desired a refined, long-lasting scent without the weight or intensity of a traditional evening fragrance.