FOUNDED BY MADEMOISELLE MONTANSIER MIDWAY THROUGH THE 18TH CENTURY, THE HOUSE SOON BECAME A FAVORITE AMONGST ARISTOCRATS AND NOBILITY, AND IN 1780 IT BECAME OFFICIAL PURVEYOR TO THE ROYAL COURT OF VERSAILLES.
Behold the legendary Maison Dorin Paris, a brand steeped in mystery and lore for over 250 years. In the latter half of the 18th century, the famed French actress and businesswoman, Mademoiselle Montansier, founded Fards Rouges & Blancs, a Parisian beauty brand that quickly earned a reputation for unparalleled quality. So much so, that in 1780, Queen Marie-Antoinette and King Louis XVI themselves appointed the brand as a supplier to the Royal Court of Versailles.
Despite the tumultuous times of the French Revolution and the fall of the monarchy, Mademoiselle Montansier remained steadfast, managing various theaters and establishments, and guiding her brand to even greater heights. With a tireless work ethic and a thirst for innovation, she partnered with Jean-Marie Dorin, who acquired the Maison and rechristened it in his own name. Dorin continued the brand’s legacy of pioneering makeup products that were easy to use and safe, creating a unique scent called Un Air de Paris and launching an eponymous perfume that quickly became legendary.
By 1920, Dorin had become a global phenomenon, with the name itself synonymous with lipstick in the USA and white powder in Japan. With the Pour Monsieur range, the Maison even became one of the first to create a line of dedicated products for men. After decades of slumber, the brand was rescued in 1998 by Bashar Nasri, who dedicated himself to reviving the Maison’s remarkable history.
THE MUSÉE DORIN
Musée Dorin is symbolically situated between Paris, the birthplace of Dorin, and the royal court of Versailles in a building dating back to the 1860s. Since 1998, the company that owns Dorin France Excellence has collected over 700 items and archive documents with a view to retracing the history of the Maison. Visitors can discover perfume bottles and makeup products designed for every part of the body, for Queens and Kings, for women and men, for stage actors, for residents of Paris and of cities all over the world.
Come and experience the magic of Maison Dorin Paris for yourself, and discover the legends and mysteries that have kept this brand alive for centuries. Private visits can be arranged here.
THE COLLECTIONS
Dorin Paris perfumes consist of six ranges that we had the immense honor to discover. All are handmade at the Dorin workshops, in the heart of the Pays de la Loire region of France.
The SCENTS OF VERSAILLES: A collection inspired by Dorin’s history and its intimate association with the Palace of Versailles. A range of five exquisite scents, each telling a story related to the rich heritage of the Maison and its place in French history.The timeless CLASSICS, whose shared history began with the birth of the Maison’s most iconic fragrance, Un Air de Paris, in 1886.
LES DORINES : The essence of the Maison Dorin. The most profound homage to Marguerite Brunet, the fabled Mademoiselle Montansier: a lady of the theatre, a lady of business. She brought Dorin to prominence by first introducing the Maison to the Court of Versailles in 1780, before later becoming director of live performances at the Court.
EAUX POUDRÉES: A collection that pays homage to the Maison’s historical association with make-up powders and blushers. Five floral, powdery fragrances created using the most iconic flowers to have influenced French traditions and fashion.
DORIN D’OR: The Maison’s signature collection. A selection of Dorin’s most exquisite fragrances is presented in golden bottles, like rare treasures, and housed in a sublime wood case.
ORIENTAL PERFUMES: The Dorin pallet is an aromatic mosaic colored in oriental shades. A bridge between two cultures, the Maison invents traditional oriental fragrances with a French twist. Subtle nuances that create a dreamy mural of an extraordinary journey. Lie back and let Dorin whisk you away on your own journey, deep into the heart of your senses.
WITHOUT A HISTORY, A PERFUME HAS NO SCENT
Most of these charming, bewitching and surprising fragrances can be purchased online through the Dorin Paris online boutique.
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