101 GUIDE TO THE HOUSE OF CREED

Fusing creative spirit with traditional techniques, The House of Creed’s famed fragrances are just as captivating as they are influential. Renowned worldwide for its daring blends (not to mention its service as the special appointment to Queen Victoria and Principal Courts in Europe during its inception), the brand epitomises luxury through slow perfumery, personalised touches, artisan processes and finest ingredients – by this we mean sourcing and curating perfume oils globally, from Florentine iris, Sri Lankan sandalwood, Haitian vetive and more. Today, with Olivier Creed at the helm, the brand continues to live on its legacy by dreaming up timeless scents made to be treasured.

Paying homage to The House of Creed’s seventh-generation descent, here at Cult Beauty we caught up with its National Education Manager, Rachel Freeman, to uncover everything you need to know about the brand – from the best Creed fragrances to its celebrated history and more. So, without further ado, it’s time to get up close and personal with your latest olfactory obsession…

THE STORY BEHIND THE HOUSE OF CREED

With a storied history that dates back over two centuries Creed’s unique story "began in 1760 when a pair of scented leather gloves were delivered to King George III by a new London tailoring company. Founded by James Henry Creed, The House of Creed started its journey as an exquisite tailor based in Mayfair, London” recalls Rachel. “Since then, Creed has gone on to create some of the finest garments and bestselling fragrances for over 260 years, shifting from its tailoring heritage into one of the world’s leading perfume houses.”

WHAT IS THE HOUSE OF CREED’S MAIN PHILOSOPHY

Priding itself on using only the best quality ingredients for its signature scents, The House of Creed centres and refers to its fragrances as Millésime quality. “The word ‘Millésime’ comes from the world of wine, translating from the French to mean a great vintage. In the wine industry, a vintage wine refers to a particular year and place from which the quality of wine was superb. In the same way our Millésime perfumes are blends of high quality, natural raw ingredients that are weighed, mixed and macerated, in most cases by hand, in a small artisanal factory near Fontainebleau, France. The process is labour-intensive, but Creed is driven by artistry and perfection” Rachel explains.

WHAT ARE THE HOUSE OF CREED’S SIGNATURE SCENT COLLECTIONS

Where do we begin? Well, with each and every fragrance having a story of its own, the key to finding your favourite The House of Creed’s signature scent is through uncovering the note pairing and narrative between each collection…

AVENTUS

Arguably, the brand’s most popular collection, Aventus celebrates success, power and strength. “Aventus launched in 2010. It was unique and pioneering in its olfactive style and its success was down to its amazing Millésime quality, but also word of mouth. It very quickly had a cult following which has continued and paved the way for the success of the rest of the Aventus family” says Rachel. An ode to the audacious and made for those who dare to be different, it blends hand-picked calabrain bergamot with pineapple and pink pepper.

Released: 2010

Top notes: lemon, pink pepper, apple, bergamot, blackcurrant

Heart notes: pineapple, jasmine, patchouli

Base notes: birch, ambroxan, cedarwood, oakmoss, wood

AVENTUS FOR HER

Paying homage to history’s most influential women (we’re talking everyone from royals and poets to writers and politicians), Aventus for Her knows no limits. Every bit infatuating as it is charming, the alluring aroma leads with the fresh head notes of green apple and pink petter before blossoming into a floral fusion of rose, lilac and ylang-ylang. Emulating the visionaries of everyday life, each spritz is made to amplify – making your presence always well known… and remembered.

Released: 2016

Top notes: green apple, bergamot, pink pepper, lemon

Heart notes: rose, lilac, ylang-ylang, blackcurrant, pineapple, peach

Base notes: sandalwood, cedarwood, patchouli, musk, ambroxan

GREEN IRISH TWEED

Transporting you to Olivier Creed’s countryside estate in the Emerald Isle – where the grass is freshly cut, sea breeze is in full force and horseback riding is custom – the Green Irish Tweed Eau de Parfum is characterised by its dry yet natural trail that melds the refreshing notes of lemon and verbena with the coolness of peppermint and lavender. Connoting the definitive touch of equestrian tweed and spring meadows coated in frosty morning dew, it’s a refreshing twist on a classic convention.

Released: 1985

Top notes: peppermint, verbena, lemon, bergamot, halbanum

Heart notes: geranium, lavender, violet

Base notes: sandalwood, cedarwood, ambroxan, oakmoss

CARMINA

Aptly named after the rich and decadent hues associated with haute couture, Carmina represents The House of Creed’s beloved connection to the fashion space. Honouring the founder’s son, Henry Creed’s esteemed sketches that were discovered within the brand's original Paris maison, each note has been specifically added to signify the cascading swirls of his prized designs. Opening with the sultry oud of black cherry and spicy saffron before melding with the alluring base of frankincense and myrrh, the blend awakens your senses with its warm yet captivating charisma.

Released: 2023 

Top notes: black cherry, saffron, pink pepper

Heart notes: rose di mai, violet, cashmere wood, peony

Base notes: frankincense, myrrh, amber, musk

SILVER MOUNTAIN WATER

Capturing the exhilarating crispness of the Alps, Silver Mountain Water allows you to breath in the fresh, icy, mountainous air – no matter where you are in the world. Whisking you away to Switzerland’s scenic spots, the fragrance balances the sharp, citrus fusion of orange and galbanum with the warming blends of blackcurrant and musk, before unfolding the heart notes of tea and salt ozonic accord.

Released: 1995

Top notes: bergamot, blackcurrant, galbanum, orange

Heart notes: tea, ozonic accord

Base notes: musk, sandalwood

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