Lightyears Collection
Cuir de Russie
Bienaimé
(Late 1930's - 1940's)

Click on image to enlarge Cuir de Russie perfume by Robert Bienaimé

1940's advertising for Bienaimé's Cuir de Russie perfume

When Robert Bienaimé launched his own perfume house (Parfums de Bienaimé) in 1935, among his first successful creations was his Cuir de Russie.

At the time, this "Russian Leather" theme was popular, having been used to great effect by Chanel and others. Unlike today when fragrances must carry unique names, in France in the first half of the 20th Century, a number of marketers might hit on the same — or a similar — name. "Chypre" was another popular name for the fragrance from several marketers, Coty, of course, being the leader.

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