The history of Nina Ricci


"Perfume is the soul of a woman!"

Robert Ricci

A woman is no longer a submissive housewife who stays at home and mainly looks after the children. She is a creator and an innovator. She chases her dreams to the end and climbs summits. We can surely think of at least one such woman - brave, independent and holding her life firmly in her own hands.

We at Venera Fragrances also have something to tell you on the subject. In the lines that follow we will dive into the story of the fashion icon Nina Ricci. Many of us know her for her magical perfumes for women and men - indeed, the fragrances she created are utterly captivating. But there is much more to say about Nina Ricci. Let us take a closer look at the hardships she had to overcome to build one of the most recognisable fashion brands: "Nina Ricci".

The widow's daughter

She was born in Turin, Italy, in 1883 under the name Maria Adelaide Nielli. But her family did not stay in Turin; it moved twice - first to Florence and then to Monte Carlo.

Although she did not come from a wealthy family, little Maria had a refined sense of style and a feel for choosing accessories. She was fascinated by the beautiful dresses and dainty handbags carried by grown-up ladies.

Misfortune struck the family when Maria was only 14 - her father died, leaving the family without a man's support. The three women had to somehow earn a living on their own and cope with the hardships of life.

When talent and effort get noticed

Maria began learning a trade with a seamstress and for a while worked with her sister and mother in a haberdashery. Soon she found a job at a fashion house, where at first she only sewed buttons and hems. Hard-working and dedicated, she gave her all there to prove her passion for making clothes. It was not unusual for her to work to the point of exhaustion. The results were not long in coming - by the time she came of age, Maria was head dressmaker, and at 22 she was appointed artistic director of the entire atelier.

Her talent did not stay hidden and many ladies began to seek out her services.

In 1904 she married an Italian jeweller and composer, from whom she took the surname Ricci, by which she is known all over the world. Their marriage produced a boy, whom they named Robert. He was creative like his mother, but his element was yet to be management and the perfume business.

"Nina Ricci" and the spirit of Paris

When Maria's husband died in 1931, her son advised her to open a fashion house of her own. His words were heeded, and the very next year, in the romantic city of Paris, the fashion house "Nina Ricci" opened its doors.

Maria owed her pseudonym "Nina" to her son as well. As a child he called her "ninia", and so she decided to introduce herself to the wider public as Nina Ricci.

At first the brand produced women's formal wear. Robert took over the accounting and management, while his mother created the designs.

After the Second World War, the women's world was drastically changed. Many men had lost their lives at the front. Women began to take on many of the activities that had previously been done only by their husbands and, quite logically, skirts and dresses were not always suitable for the task at hand.

The fashion industry faced the difficult task of restoring the elegance of ladies. Robert Ricci stepped in once again with a creative idea: with the help of the Chamber of Commerce, 40 well-known designers organised a big fashion show at the Louvre. The presentation caused a sensation among the public and the collection went on tour across the whole of Europe.

From then on, the fashion house Nina Ricci enjoyed only success and growth. Nina Ricci herself withdrew from the business when she was 70. Her son Robert managed the company, and the perfume business that also became part of it, until his death.

The perfumes of Nina Ricci

Nina Ricci developed her first fragrance in 1946 and named it "Coeur Joie". It was only the first step towards a new era in the world of the perfumer's art.

Two years later "L'Air Du Temps" appeared on the market, which became iconic for its original bottle - an exquisite glass dove is sculpted on the cap. The credit for the design goes to her son Robert Ricci and the French jeweller Marc Lalique. This fragrance firmly placed "Nina Ricci" among the most sought-after perfume brands.

Perfumes are made for both women and men, and they quickly became a mark of fashion style and good taste.

"Nina Ricci" is among the five leading fashion houses in the world, and it is no secret that, besides Maria's talent and perseverance, her son Robert played a big part in this. So this is not only a story from the world of fashion, but one that stands for hard work and solidarity.

Nina Ricci perfumes you will find at Venera Fragrances

We have selected some of the best-loved Nina Ricci fragrances you will find in our online shop:

The Venera Fragrances team

Venera Cosmetics has been in perfumery since 1992 and has its own warehouse and store in Plovdiv. Our team writes the blog articles to help you choose your fragrance.

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