Balenciaga’s first perfume, launched in 1947, was called Le Dix.
The name Le Dix means “The Tenth” in French and refers to 10 Avenue George V in Paris, the address of Cristóbal Balenciaga’s couture house. The fragrance extended the house’s identity beyond clothing and connected its growing perfume business to the Paris location that became central to Balenciaga’s couture history.
Le Dix appeared during a pivotal period for Balenciaga. After leaving Spain during the Spanish Civil War, he established his Paris house in 1937 and developed a reputation for architectural construction, sculptural silhouettes and exceptional technical control. The perfume arrived a decade after that Paris opening, as the designer’s influence was expanding internationally.
Quadrille is another Balenciaga fragrance, but it came later, in 1955. “Balenciaga Paris” is associated with later fragrance branding, while “B” is not the name of the original 1947 perfume.