Creed Perfume: A Legacy Of French Fragrances

The House of Creed is an Anglo-French luxury perfume house, based in Paris, with a rich history that can be traced back over 250 years. The company was founded in 1760 by James Henry Creed as a tailoring house in London, England, and has since expanded into the fragrance business, creating original and artisanal perfumes using high-quality ingredients sourced from around the world. Creed has created perfumes for celebrities, political figures, and royalty, solidifying its place as one of the world's leading niche perfume houses.

Creed is an Anglo-French perfume house

Over the years, Creed established itself as a renowned tailor, creating garments for European royalty, including Queen Victoria and Empress Eugénie. In 1854, under the patronage of Napoleon III, Creed expanded to Paris, France, further solidifying its reputation for impeccable tailoring and exclusive, bespoke fragrances. The house of Creed became known for its Anglo-French heritage, with Henry Creed splitting his time between England and France.

In the late 19th century, Creed received a Royal Warrant, signed by the Mistress of Dresses Annie Roxburgh, solidifying its status as an official supplier to the Royal Household. Henry Creed's creations, such as an equestrian suit for Queen Victoria, inspired the house's iconic fragrances like Aventus for Her. The house of Creed continued to be passed down through the generations, with Henry Creed's son and grandson, Henry and James, inheriting the family business after his death.

Today, Creed is led by Olivier Creed, accompanied by his son Erwin. They continue to create artisanal fragrances in their factory in Fontainebleau, sourcing the finest ingredients from around the world. Creed has boutiques in several cities worldwide, including Paris, London, New York, and Milan, and has become one of the leading niche perfume houses, renowned for its original and exquisite fragrances.

The Creed family history

The Creed family, whose surname originated in Cornwall, England, has a notable history that can be traced back over 250 years. The family's story began in the parish of Creed, in the county of Cornwall, where they lived, held land, and derived their surname.

The earliest known member of the Creed family was James Creed, a talented and ambitious man who left Leicester, England, in 1710. James was followed by his son, Henry Creed, who proved his will and is known for taking the family business to Paris, France. Henry Creed of Creed and Cumberland gained recognition as a tailor and habit maker for royalty and high society, including Queen Victoria, Empress Eugénie, and the fashionable dandy Count d'Orsay. In 1885, Henry was granted a Royal Warrant, signed by the Mistress of the Robes, Annie Roxburgh, which can still be seen in the Creed store in Paris.

Henry Creed's sons, Henry and James, continued the family business, with Henry working as a tailor and James exploring the Far East, including Japan. After Henry senior's death in 1949, James and his son, Olivier Creed, carried on the family legacy. Olivier created the blockbuster fragrance Aventus, which transformed the business, and he continues to create artisanal fragrances with his son, Erwin Creed, in their factory in Fontainebleau.

The Creed family's history, as uncovered by a professional archivist, reveals a lineage of makers, tailors, and master perfumers, showcasing their versatility and expertise across different trades. The family's British and French heritage, stemming from their time in England and their tailoring business in Paris, has influenced the House of Creed's ethos.

Creed's first perfume

Creed is an Anglo-French perfume house based in Paris, with a factory in Fontainebleau. The company was founded in 1760 as a tailoring house in London, England, by James Henry Creed.

The House of Creed has created fragrances for over 260 years, with seven generations shaping the brand. The company's history is a matter of public record, and an archivist has uncovered the Creed family's journey from makers, to tailors, to today's master perfumers.

The legend of the brand began in 1760 when a pair of scented leather gloves was delivered to King George III by the newly founded London tailoring company. In 1854, under the patronage of Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie, the House of Creed established another headquarters in Paris, France. The company supplied most of the royalty of the time, including Queen Victoria, who appointed Creed as an official supplier to the Royal Household.

The first Creed perfume was created by Olivier Creed and was a traditional eau de cologne with matching aftershave. The release date is unknown, but bottles are still in circulation.

Creed's boutiques

Creed is an Anglo-French perfume house with a rich history that can be traced back over 250 years. The brand was founded in 1760 by James Henry Creed as a tailoring establishment in London, England. Over the years, Creed has supplied fragrances and leather goods to royalty and high-profile figures worldwide. Today, Creed has boutiques in several cities across the globe, including:

Paris, France:

Creed's headquarters are in Paris, with boutiques located on Avenue Pierre 1er de Serbie and Rue des Saints-Pères. The brand has a long history in the city, dating back to 1854 when it established another headquarters under the patronage of Napoleon III and his Empress, Eugénie.

London, England:

Creed's boutique in London is located on Mount Street in Mayfair, a fitting location given the brand's British roots.

Beverly Hills, California:

Creed has a presence on the West Coast of the United States, with a boutique in the glamorous Beverly Hills area of Los Angeles.

New York City, New York:

The success of Creed's Aventus fragrance enabled the brand to open its New York boutique, located on Madison Avenue.

Milan, Italy:

Creed's Italian boutique is situated on Via della Spiga, in the heart of Milan's fashion district.

Vienna, Austria:

Creed's boutique in Vienna can be found on Seilergasse, in the city's historic centre.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates:

Creed has a presence in the Middle East, with a boutique located in the Mall of Emirates in Dubai.

Kuwait City, Kuwait:

The brand also has a boutique in Kuwait City, located in The Gate Mall on 250 Street, Eqaila.

Sydney, Australia:

Creed's boutique in Sydney is situated on Cross Street in the Double Bay neighbourhood.

Mexico City, Mexico:

Creed has a presence in Latin America, with a boutique in Mexico City.

Manila, Philippines:

Creed also has a boutique in the Philippines, located in Manila.

Cebu City, Philippines:

Creed has a second boutique in the Philippines, located in Cebu City.

Miami, Florida:

Creed caters to the Miami market with a boutique located on Northeast 41st Street.

These boutiques showcase Creed's luxurious fragrances, offering customers a chance to experience the brand's unique and artisanal scents in elegant and sophisticated settings.

Creed's acquisition by Kering

Creed is an Anglo-French perfume house, based in Paris, that was founded in 1760 as a tailoring house in London, England. In June 2023, Creed was acquired by Kering for €3.5 billion (or $3.83 billion). This acquisition was completed in October 2023, with Creed being consolidated into Kering's accounts from 1 November 2023.

Kering is a French luxury group that manages the development of several renowned houses in fashion, leather goods, and jewellery, including Gucci, Saint Laurent, and Balenciaga. Kering's acquisition of Creed aligns with its intention to create an in-house cosmetics business. Creed, being a high-end fragrance brand, is a strategic acquisition for Kering, providing it with immediate scale in the fragrance market and a global distribution network to support the growth of other Kering Beauté fragrance franchises.

Prior to its acquisition by Kering, Creed was owned by funds controlled by BlackRock and the company's chairman, Javier Ferran. Creed, established over 250 years ago, is the largest global independent player in the high-end fragrance market. For the full year ended 31 March 2023, Creed generated revenue of more than €250 million, delivering double-digit growth and high EBITDA margins.

The House of Creed has a rich history, with seven generations shaping the fragrance house. While it initially began as a tailoring business, it transitioned into perfumery, creating fragrances for royalty and high-profile figures. Creed has boutiques worldwide, including in Paris, London, New York City, Beverly Hills, and Dubai, and is known for its artisanal fragrances crafted from exquisite ingredients sourced globally.

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