I made a selection of clips from a 1945 movie presenting a fascinating perspective on the American Beauty Industry right after the war. It shows several great images about the beauty culture, the industry and of course the perfumes. Several great perfumes from the past can be seen in the dept stores - Soir de Paris (Bourjois), Flame (Helena Rubinstein), many Caron and the first Nina Ricci.
The FDA presents their new rules for the consumer safety. But take a look at the FDA building entrance - it reminds the Reich Chancellery. The lady from that scene looks very similar to the famous Helena Rubinstein (but younger). In the movie you can see some beauty salons (from Helena Rubinstein and E Laszlo) and Mala Rubinstein (I guess it's her) giving a beauty lesson to women. One beauty mask has a really special design, you'll see why.
I hope you'll enjoy it (the sound is not great).
"To the american woman the struggle for beauty is not only a means to an end - it is an end in itself".
There is a very interesting DVD called
The Powder and the Glory about the story of two of the first highly successful women in american cosmetic industry, Elizabeth Arden and Helena Rubinstein, showing special footage from archives.
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Fragrance is the 8th Art - Octavian Coifan - Le Parfum est le 8ème Art
