If fragrances would be associated to the personalities of their designers, Niki de Saint Phalle perfumes would be independent, resistant and at the same time eccentric, a perfect match of qualities for the adventurers and liberals of the contemporary times. Perhaps, what would characterize and distinct the perfumes from the rest of the numerous designer perfumes out in the market is the colorful and very interesting biography of its designer, Niki de Saint Phalle.



Niki was born to a French couple in 1930. At the onset of the period of Great Depression in the country, the Saint Phalles decided to move to the US in 1933. It was in the US that Niki developed her mind and started seeing the world according to her own perspective. Born with natural physical beauty, Niki grew to become fashion model in her adolescent years. At 16, she was able to make it to the cover of Life magazine and the French edition of Vogue.

At the tender age of 18, Niki eloped with Harry Mathews, a literary author, to flee to Massachusetts. At her young age, Niki was known as a rebellious daughter, always defying the traditional means of living especially the notion that wives should be ruled and dominated by husbands.

In her early years of marriage, after giving birth to two children, it must be onset of postpartum that Niki started being discontented and bothered. She felt like she was the living the conventional lifestyle she resent. Eventually, the thought of resistance and denial led her to a nervous breakdown.

It was that breakdown that Niki was able to land to a practice that would eventually give her a new life, a life that made her establish her own niche and mark. She was encouraged to paint as a form of outlet or a therapy to help her overcome her depression. Niki returned to Paris in her quest to find the best mentors. From there, Niki was able to branch out to different art outlets.

Her works were characterized by the emphasis to different roles women do such as being mothers and wives. Niki started out crafting papier maches and painting them colorfully to create art pieces that would be branded as Niki de Saint Phalle.

Divorcing her first husband, Niki moved in with fellow artist Jean Tinguely, who also later on divorced his own wife to live with and marry Niki. Thus, Niki became a naturalized Swiss citizen.

At the highs and lows of her life, Niki was said to have developed the knack and interest to design and formulate her own line of perfumes. Sources claim that the perfumes were also part of Niki's divergence from the harsh realities of life. Though she strived to live by her own principles of life, Niki never failed to lose the excitement and genuine interest in life, as exuded by the creation of her own Niki de Saint Phalle perfumes.

The next time you buy and use Niki de Saint Phalle perfumes, remember Niki and think of the values and insights she strived to live with.