Les Parfumeries de Gabilla
the first female perfumer.
Henriette Gabilla was the first female perfumer and her perfume company became one of the most prolific and innovative of the 1930s.
Originally from Lebanon, she moved to Paris in 1910 where she quickly opened a first boutique on rue Edouard VII. She created nearly fifty perfumes until the 1950s, yet the product line also included cosmetics and toiletries.
Several of her creations were presented in sublime crystal bottles designed by Lalique and Baccarrat and found an export market to the United States.
Gabilla was very close to the writer Colette, who was also a shareholder in her company. In 1932, Colette helped Gabilla to open her salon for cosmetics where you could find "Colette Powder.”
Gabilla loved beautiful fabrics and fashion. She was the first to produce perfumes for fashion designers which included Jeanne Lanvin and for celebrities that included the American actress, Mae West. She even created for other perfume brands that included Ciro.
Gabilla received an Honorary Prize at the Art Deco Exhibition in Paris in 1925.
Among her successes are the perfumes Mad Virgin, Mon Chéri, Musardises, Tango and Moda.
