Nina Ricci

Maria 'Nina' Ricci was born in Turin, Italy in 1883 and moved to Paris at thirteen where she would spend her entire career in fashion. She founded her couture house in 1932 at 20 Rue des Capucines at the age of 49 — remarkable late timing for a couture launch — partnering with her son Robert who managed the business side while she focused entirely on creation. Ricci's aesthetic was the antithesis of Coco Chanel's casual modernism: she celebrated an overtly feminine, romantic, and graceful approach to dress that appealed to women who found Chanel's liberation uncomfortable. L'Air du Temps, launched in 1948, became one of the greatest fragrances of the 20th century and remains in continuous production. Robert Ricci's grandson Romano later founded Juliette Has a Gun, continuing the family's fragrance legacy.

L'Air du Temps (1948) was created by Francis Fabron — who also created L'Interdit for Givenchy — with the extraordinary brief of creating 'a new era of peace after war.' The resulting composition — a neo-carnation of carnation, rose, iris, sandalwood, benzyl salicylate, and musks — achieved something unprecedented: a fragrance that smelled simultaneously of the relief of peace and the optimism of the future. The iconic bottle, designed by Marc Lalique with two doves on the stopper, has remained one of the most recognised and beloved fragrance flacons in history. The fragrance has never left the market in 75 years.

L'Air du Temps (1948) is one of the most historically significant fragrances ever created — among the ten compositions that genuinely changed the course of perfumery. Its carnation-rose-iris composition, created to celebrate peace after World War II, has been worn by more women across more generations than virtually any other feminine fragrance. Nina Rose (2016) and Nina Fleur (2018) are lighter, more contemporary interpretations for younger audiences. Nina (2006), an apple-orchid-wood composition, is the house's most successful modern launch.

Nina Ricci occupies accessible prestige — EDPs from €50-€85 — with a historical legacy that renders L'Air du Temps genuinely priceless in cultural terms, available at a price that reflects commercial access over artistic significance.

Every Nina Ricci fragrance at The Scent Stories® is 100% authentic, factory-sealed and brand-packaged — sourced from authorised channels and shipped worldwide.

Nina Ricci — Common Questions

When was Nina Ricci founded?

Maria 'Nina' Ricci founded her Paris couture house in 1932 at 20 Rue des Capucines at age 49, with her son Robert managing the business. Her aesthetic — overtly feminine and romantic — was the deliberate antithesis of Coco Chanel's casual modernism. L'Air du Temps, created in 1948 to celebrate peace after World War II, became one of the greatest fragrances of the 20th century. Romano Ricci, her grandson, later founded Juliette Has a Gun.

What is L'Air du Temps and why is it historically significant?

L'Air du Temps (1948) by Francis Fabron was created with the brief of 'a new era of peace after war' — a carnation-rose-iris-sandalwood-musk composition of extraordinary optimism. The Marc Lalique-designed bottle with doves on the stopper is among the most recognised and beloved fragrance flacons in history. It has remained in continuous production for 75 years, worn by more women across more generations than virtually any other 20th century feminine fragrance.

Is L'Air du Temps still relevant today?

Yes — L'Air du Temps's carnation-iris character has aged remarkably well. Its floral complexity occupies a register between classical and contemporary that modern compositions rarely achieve. Fragrance connoisseurs who explore classical fragrances frequently cite it among their discoveries: a genuinely great composition available at modest prices, 75 years of continuous production attesting to its enduring quality and relevance.

How does Nina Ricci compare to Givenchy and Lanvin in classical French feminine fragrance?

All three are prestigious French fashion houses with iconic classical fragrances from the same mid-century era: Lanvin's Arpège (1927), Nina Ricci's L'Air du Temps (1948), and Givenchy's L'Interdit (1957). L'Air du Temps is the most historically significant culturally — 75 years of continuous production. Arpège is the most compositionally complex. L'Interdit has the strongest associated story (created for Audrey Hepburn). All three are among the most underappreciated values in accessible luxury fragrance.

Can I try Nina Ricci fragrances as samples?

Yes — The Scent Stories® stocks authentic Nina Ricci samples and miniatures including L'Air du Temps, Nina, Nina Rose, and more. All are factory-sealed and brand-packaged, shipped worldwide.