Herminie Harto was born in France. While precise details of her birth family and early childhood are scarce, her later life suggests a background that valued resourcefulness and potentially included exposure to the world of textiles or fashion, setting the stage for her future endeavors.

Information regarding Herminie's life prior to establishing her lingerie house is limited. This period likely involved marriage (Cadolle being her married name), raising a family, and possibly gaining experience in sewing, tailoring, or the garment trade. These formative years, though undocumented in detail, laid the foundation for her later success.