Balenciaga perfumes came out of the Balenciaga fashion design house, founded by Cristobal Balenciaga, who was originally from Spain. The design house was forced to move to Paris during the Spanish Civil War.

Balenciaga's designs and artistry were admired by his fellow designers. Christian Dior referred to him as "the master of us all." Unique designs like bubble skirts and square coats heralded his move to a silhouette that had broader shoulders and the waist disappearing. The tunic, the chemise, balloon jacket, baby-doll dress, sack dress and empire line were his play with the silhouette, and became the thing he is most known for. Stand-away collars and bracelet sleeves (shortened) were his fashion stamps.

Balenciaga hired and mentored designers Oscar de la Renta, Hubert de Givenchy and Andre Courreges.  He closed his house in 1968 and died in 1972. Balenciaga was revived in 1986 and has achieved success under the direction of Nicolas Ghesquières, who was hired in 1998. 

Balenciaga perfumes produced only four perfumes during the time Cristobal Balenciaga was alive and running the company - le Dix, Quadrille, la Fuite de Heures, and Eau de Balenciaga for Men.

There were other perfumes created and launched in the intervening years, but it wasn't until Nicolas Ghesquières ushered in a new Balenciaga perfume, Balenciaga Paris, that the fashion house received any attention at all for perfume. In collaboration with Coty Prestige, this launch was one of the most well-received perfume launches of mainstream perfumes in 2010. Not only was it a commercial success, but it was well received by perfume fans and critics.