Fragrance house

Mikhail Baryshnikov

The Mikhail Baryshnikov fragrance line launched in 1989 with Misha, named for Baryshnikov’s nickname. Built around his celebrity name and image, it was presented as a celebrity fragrance line rather than an independently named perfume house. Baryshnikov exercised broad creative control over the project, supervising the bottle design, packaging, marketing, and scent; the bottle’s conical shape was associated with twirling or a pirouette. The launch was associated with Richard Barrie Fragrances Inc. Documented additions were Baryshnikov for Men in 1991, Baryshnikov Pour Femme in 1995, and Baryshnikov Sport in 1996. Misha is the clearest defining fragrance example in the line, and 1990 reporting cited it among celebrity-fragrance success stories. By 1994, reporting described Misha as having faltered while Baryshnikov Pour Homme was selling well; the women’s fragrance was renamed Baryshnikov Pour Femme to make its connection to Baryshnikov clearer. All four documented fragrances are listed as discontinued, with 1996 the newest release.