Here is a little gem of a shop. Its well off the beaten track tucked away on the back streets. Its called Detaille at 10, rue Saint Lazare in the 9th arrondisment of Paris.
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The Countess de Presle having bought one of the first cars in the early years of the XXth century, felt her skin dehydrating, caused by high speed and the lack of a windshield on her car. She discussed the matter with one of her friends, the chemist Marcellin Berthelot, who was asked and created a dehydrating lotion, which she called Baume Automobile.
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The store opened by the Countess de Presle, in1905. That was the starting point of a range of high quality body care products which appealed to the Countess friends and acquaintances, and were then sold in all of Europes courts. The company Maison Detaille is named after the Countess husband, the brother of the painter Edouard Detaille
The client names in the order book of the Saint-Lazare store includes the Queen of Bulgaria, the Queen of Belgium, several Maharajahs, Countesses, Princesses and various personalities in the show business, arts, industry and politics.
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Today the shop is managed on a daily basis by Colin. A young man with techno music talent who is the custodian guardian of todays shop. The owners of the shop have instilled in Colin the importance of tradition. When asking Colin who he thought the shop faced the most competition from in Paris, he stated Guerlain.
Detaille has a very fanatical South East Asia following including special orders and visits to the Paris shop the export market remains one of the most important revenues for Detaille.
When walking into the shop you have the feeling that the only thing out of place more then a 100 years ago is the computer Colin is using on the old antique desk.
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Youre whisked away into a bygone era with wooden stained shelves and draws with ornate mirrors reflecting the black and white flagstone floors. Old order books opened up with plume style ink writing stating the daily sales with the customers names. The earliest entry I could see marked was 1912. Thats a hundred years ago. Think about it. All the displays are without modern lighting fixtures with an old fashion materials making up a window display.
Anything new? Yes and No. No new scents as such BUT can now offer ladies scents in 30ml bottles down from 100ml only. Gentlemen scents will follow the same way probably in September.
Colin confirmed the best sellers for men are Aeroplane and Escrimer (100ml = 65 euro) and for the ladies (1905 and Dolcia ironically the very first and very last creations 100ml 75euro = 30ml 48 euro).
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I left the shop with a sudden thought, thinking the shop will be still be around after I die.
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Uploaded with ImageShack.us[/IMG]The Countess de Presle having bought one of the first cars in the early years of the XXth century, felt her skin dehydrating, caused by high speed and the lack of a windshield on her car. She discussed the matter with one of her friends, the chemist Marcellin Berthelot, who was asked and created a dehydrating lotion, which she called Baume Automobile.
[IMG]
Uploaded with ImageShack.us[/IMG]The store opened by the Countess de Presle, in1905. That was the starting point of a range of high quality body care products which appealed to the Countess friends and acquaintances, and were then sold in all of Europes courts. The company Maison Detaille is named after the Countess husband, the brother of the painter Edouard Detaille
The client names in the order book of the Saint-Lazare store includes the Queen of Bulgaria, the Queen of Belgium, several Maharajahs, Countesses, Princesses and various personalities in the show business, arts, industry and politics.
[IMG]
Uploaded with ImageShack.us[/IMG]Today the shop is managed on a daily basis by Colin. A young man with techno music talent who is the custodian guardian of todays shop. The owners of the shop have instilled in Colin the importance of tradition. When asking Colin who he thought the shop faced the most competition from in Paris, he stated Guerlain.
Detaille has a very fanatical South East Asia following including special orders and visits to the Paris shop the export market remains one of the most important revenues for Detaille.
When walking into the shop you have the feeling that the only thing out of place more then a 100 years ago is the computer Colin is using on the old antique desk.
[IMG]
Uploaded with ImageShack.us[/IMG]Youre whisked away into a bygone era with wooden stained shelves and draws with ornate mirrors reflecting the black and white flagstone floors. Old order books opened up with plume style ink writing stating the daily sales with the customers names. The earliest entry I could see marked was 1912. Thats a hundred years ago. Think about it. All the displays are without modern lighting fixtures with an old fashion materials making up a window display.
Anything new? Yes and No. No new scents as such BUT can now offer ladies scents in 30ml bottles down from 100ml only. Gentlemen scents will follow the same way probably in September.
Colin confirmed the best sellers for men are Aeroplane and Escrimer (100ml = 65 euro) and for the ladies (1905 and Dolcia ironically the very first and very last creations 100ml 75euro = 30ml 48 euro).
[IMG]
Uploaded with ImageShack.us[/IMG]I left the shop with a sudden thought, thinking the shop will be still be around after I die.
