
David Bowie's fragrance choices have been a topic of interest for many, with speculation ranging from Creed Silver Mountain Water to Guerlain Vetiver, which was reportedly his favourite before he passed away, according to his wife, Iman. With his iconic status, it's no surprise that fans are curious about the scents he preferred. Some have even gone as far as to study vintage photos of his dressing room, trying to identify the labels on the fragrance bottles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Favorite fragrance | Minotaure by Paloma Picasso |
| Other fragrances | Creed Silver Mountain Water, Guerlain Vetiver, Floris Elite, Brooks Brothers Cologne, Diorling, Miss Dior, Diorissimo, Gris Montaigne, Lubin Idole Eau de Parfum |
| Description of smell | Like an ancient pine forest that had a massive forest fire a month ago. You get the new growth of the grass and the moisture, but there's still an undercurrent of pain. |
| Other descriptions | Marshmallows, bonfire smoky, expensive aftershave, cigarettes |
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What You'll Learn

David Bowie's favourite fragrance was Minotaure by Paloma Picasso
According to his official website, David Bowie's favourite fragrance was Minotaure by Paloma Picasso. He was also a fan of Creed's Silver Mountain Water and Guerlain Vetiver, which his wife, Iman, says was his favourite before he passed away.
There is a famous photo of his vanity during 1973 where a Dior houndstooth bottle can be seen, which is theorized to be Diorling, Miss Dior, or Diorissimo. A vintage bottle of Minotaure is also believed to be one of the fragrances he purchased from Floris of London.
Bowie was a fan of layering fragrances, and one source mentions that he liked to layer Floris Elite with Minotaure. He is also said to have worn Brooks Brothers cologne, Lubin Idole Eau de Parfum, and Christian Dior Gris Montaigne.
Bowie was a chain smoker, so it is likely that cigarettes also contributed to his scent. One person who met him described him as smelling of "expensive aftershave," specifically Chanel, according to an article in NMC with Brett Anderson.
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He also wore Creed Silver Mountain Water
David Bowie was known to have worn many fragrances throughout his life. One of his favourites was Creed Silver Mountain Water. According to his official website, his favourite fragrance was Minotaure by Paloma Picasso, but he was also known to wear Creed Silver Mountain Water and fragrances from Floris.
Creed Silver Mountain Water is a unisex fragrance that was launched in 1995. It is described as a crisp and clean scent with notes of bergamot, mandarin, green tea, and musk. The fragrance is inspired by the freshness of the mountains and the purity of water, and it is said to evoke a feeling of being in a snowy mountain landscape. The scent is designed to be refreshing and invigorating, with a cool, crisp edge.
Bowie was known to be a fan of niche and unique fragrances, and Creed Silver Mountain Water certainly fits that description. It is a popular fragrance among celebrities and perfume enthusiasts, known for its high quality and distinctive scent.
In addition to Creed Silver Mountain Water, Bowie was also known to wear other fragrances such as Guerlain Vetiver (which was reportedly his favourite before he passed away), Floris Elite, and Brooks Brothers Cologne. He was often seen applying makeup backstage, and his dressing table was said to be filled with various perfumes and colognes.
Bowie's fragrance choices reflected his unique and eclectic personality, and his scent became a signature part of his iconic presence.
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He wore Guerlain fragrances, including Guerlain Vetiver
David Bowie was known to wear a variety of fragrances, including Guerlain. According to his official website, his favourite fragrance was Minotaure by Paloma Picasso. Iman, his wife, stated that his favourite fragrance before he passed away was Guerlain Vetiver. Bowie was also a fan of layering fragrances, such as Floris Elite with Minotaure.
In addition to Guerlain Vetiver, Bowie wore other Guerlain fragrances. A quote from Win Butler of Arcade Fire describes Bowie's scent as an ancient pine forest that had experienced a massive forest fire about a month ago, with the smell of new grass growth, moisture, and a hint of pain lingering in the air. This description has led some to suggest specific fragrances that capture this essence, such as Demeter Fragrance Thunderstorm, which features notes of green grass and electricity.
Bowie was also a fan of Creed fragrances, with Silver Mountain Water being one of his choices. He was photographed applying makeup before his final Isolar tour concert in Paris on May 18, 1976, wearing Brooks Brothers cologne, an American scent. Other Creed fragrances that Bowie allegedly wore include Sycomore, Timbuktu, Rien, and CDG 2 Men.
Bowie's dressing table also included fragrances from Floris of London, where he purchased the Elite fragrance. He was also photographed with a Dior houndstooth bottle, which could have been Diorling, Miss Dior, or Diorissimo.
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He wore Brooks Brothers cologne
David Bowie was known to have worn a variety of fragrances, including Brooks Brothers cologne. In fact, he was photographed applying makeup backstage before the last concert of his Isolar tour in Paris on May 18, 1976, while wearing this particular scent. It is intriguing to note that Brooks Brothers cologne is traditionally an American fragrance, yet Bowie chose to wear it in Paris, showcasing his unique sense of style and disregard for conventional boundaries.
Bowie was also a fan of layering fragrances, and it is speculated that he combined Floris Elite with Minotaure, creating a distinctive combination. Minotaure by Paloma Picasso was even listed as his favorite fragrance on his official website. Creed Silver Mountain Water and Guerlain Vetiver were also among his preferred choices, with the latter being described as his favorite before his passing by his wife, Iman.
The iconic singer's dressing table showcased a range of perfumes, including those from Guerlain, Floris, and Dior. A vintage Dior EDT bottle, with a distinctive Houndstooth/Chickenfoot pattern, sparked curiosity among fans, who wondered if it was Miss Dior, Diorissimo, or Diorling. This curiosity reflects the enduring fascination with Bowie's style and persona, even down to the fragrances he chose to wear.
Bowie's scent choices extended beyond the traditional, as he was known to wear both men's and women's fragrances. His scent left a lasting impression, with descriptions likening it to an ancient pine forest that had experienced a massive forest fire a month ago. This unique combination of new growth, moisture, and an undercurrent of pain captures the essence of Bowie's enigmatic presence.
In conclusion, David Bowie's fragrance choices, including Brooks Brothers cologne, were an extension of his iconic style and boundary-pushing persona. He layered fragrances, defied gender norms in his scent choices, and left an unforgettable impression wherever he went.
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He wore Dior perfumes, including possibly Miss Dior
David Bowie was a fan of fragrances and wore several different perfumes over the years. One of the fragrances he wore was a Dior perfume, with a black-and-white houndstooth label and cap and a little black bow. While the exact fragrance is unknown, it was likely one of the following: Miss Dior, Diorama, Diorissimo, or Diorling. Miss Dior, created in 1947, is one of the most iconic fragrances by the brand and is known for its sophisticated and elegant scent. It has top notes of mandarin and bergamot, middle notes of rose and jasmine, and base notes of patchouli and musk.
There is a famous photo from 1973, taken by Mick Rock, which shows a glimpse of a Dior bottle on David Bowie's backstage dressing table. This bottle is speculated to be either Diorissimo or Miss Dior, as both of these fragrances were packaged in the distinctive black-and-white houndstooth bottle with a bow. The presence of this bottle suggests that David Bowie may have been wearing one of these fragrances during his Ziggy Stardust era.
Some fans speculate that the fragrance could have been Diorling, which was created in 1963 and had a blend of leather and floral notes. This fragrance also came in a houndstooth bottle, although it is not as well-known as the other two options. It is important to note that all four fragrances mentioned (Miss Dior, Diorama, Diorissimo, and Diorling) were marketed as women's fragrances, but that did not stop the iconic musician from embracing them.
David Bowie was known to experiment with layering scents, and his fragrance choices likely changed over time, reflecting his diverse personas and styles. In addition to Dior perfumes, he was also known to wear fragrances such as Creed Silver Mountain Water, Paloma Picasso Minotaure, and Guerlain Vetiver.
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Frequently asked questions
According to his official website, David Bowie's favourite fragrance was Minotaure by Paloma Picasso. He was also a fan of Creed Silver Mountain Water and Guerlain Vetiver.
It is unclear whether David Bowie wore men's or women's fragrances. One source suggests that it probably didn't matter to him.
David Bowie may have worn unisex fragrances. One source suggests Demeter Fragrance Thunderstorm as a possible fragrance for those trying to emulate Bowie's scent.
It is possible that David Bowie wore a niche fragrance created just for him.
As a chain smoker, some people believe that David Bowie likely smelled like cigarettes. However, one source claims that Bowie smelled of expensive aftershave, possibly Chanel.











































