Roger & Gallet Paris | 1947

Roger & Gallet Paris, 1947, by Fritz Bühler

This elegant poster for Roger & Gallet features a striking composition of a gloved hand gracefully applying bright red lipstick to a pair of stylized lips. The dark glove, rendered with a rich velvety texture, contrasts against the smooth, minimalist background, drawing attention to the luxurious product.

Founded in 1862, Roger & Gallet is a renowned French perfume and cosmetics house known for its luxurious fragrances and skincare products. By the mid-20th century, the brand had expanded its influence beyond Paris to London and New York, positioning itself as a symbol of refined European beauty. This poster, created in 1947, reflects the post-war resurgence of the cosmetics industry, as luxury brands sought to re-establish their presence in a recovering global market.

Fritz Bühler was a Swiss graphic designer born on May 24, 1909, in Basel. He pursued his education at the Allgemeine Gewerbeschule Basel from 1925 to 1927 and subsequently studied at the Vereinigte Staatsschulen für freie und angewandte Kunst in Berlin for two years. After spending a year in Paris, Bühler returned to Basel, where he worked for Publicitas AG before establishing his own studio in 1933. His work encompassed a wide range of design projects, including posters, brochures, magazines, exhibitions, promotional films, and packaging. Notably, he gained international recognition in 1958 for creating the slogan "Der Duft der großen weiten Welt" ("The Scent of the Big Wide World") for Reemtsma's cigarette brand Peter Stuyvesant. Bühler was also among the initiators of the Alliance Graphique Internationale (AGI), founded in 1952, and served as its fourth president. He passed away on April 12, 1963, in Colmar.