He liked the shape of her head. That was why couturier Marcel Rochas approached Hélène in a Paris train station. What followed were years as his wife and muse, until Marcel died in 1955.
It was after Marcel's death that Hélène took over Rochas and grew it into the luxury women's fragrance of the midcentury with their scent, Femme.
A trailblazing female fashion executive, Hélène also knew how to float the society, often seen on the arms of Yves Saint Laurent and Oscar de la Renta, who also counted her as a muse.
Her blown-back coif was often accented with high-neck, ruffles, or a feather in the way that only the '60s and '70s could.
Always an inspiration, Hélène was the inspiration for Olivier Theyskens' collections for Rochas - a move that brought the brand back to its couture roots.
So scroll and swoon at the looks and life of Ms. Hélène Rochas.
Hélène shortly before Marcel's death - 1954
Hélène in costume - 1954
Hélène attends Le Bal des Parisiennes - 1960
Hélène in Monte Carlo - 1966
Hélène with her close friend, Yves Saint Laurent - 1968
Hélène on Onassis's yacht with ODLR, Babe Payley and more - 1969
Hélène at home - 1972
Attending the YSL couture show - 1974
At Paris Fashion Week - 1979
Hélène at home - 1979
Hélène at home - 1979
Hélène at home - 1979
Hélène at home - 1979
Hélène at home - 1979
Hélène and ODLR attend the Met Gala honoring YSL - 1983
Hélène in her Paris home - 1989
Hélène and YSL at the celebration of le Smoking Jacket - 2005
Photos // Getty Images
