Miss Balmain is what would happen if Bandit and Jolie Madame had a child, and appointed Miss Dior as a godparent. (Not the soppy godparent of Beatrix Potter books and flower fairies, but the one who drops by once every five years to see if you are interesting yet, looks askance at Auntie Fracas who is falling out of her dress again, and then teaches you to hold your booze, swear effectively, argue about politics, and not get lipstick on your teeth.)

Miss Balmain feels like Germaine Cellier on her most relaxed and confident form. It’s a perfume that doesn’t have to try too hard. Don’t let the “miss” or the pretty pink box (ha!) deceive you. She’s not prim, polished, or prettified, but has an easy, rumpled beauty and a filthy laugh, and a lot to say about performing gender if you catch her in an expansive mood.

\So, I’m going to add my voice to the call from @odedeparfum to @olivier_rousteing to revive Cellier’s groundbreaking and gorgeous work for @balmain Please?

originally posted 12 July 2019