Creed: The Brand And Its Fragrances Explored

The House of Creed is a luxury perfume house that creates fragrances for men and women using the finest ingredients from around the world. Creed was founded in 1760 by James Henry Creed as a tailoring company in London, England. The company supplied bespoke fragrances and tailored garments to royalty and high society in Europe. Over the years, Creed has created over 200 perfumes, with its current creative directors being Olivier Creed and his son, Erwin Creed. Creed has boutiques in several cities worldwide, including Paris, London, New York, and Dubai.

James Henry Creed founded the House of Creed in 1760

The House of Creed's origins began with James Henry Creed, a talented and ambitious man who overcame challenges to build a renowned brand. Creed's journey started in 1710 when he left Leicester with little means. He established himself in London, founding the House of Creed in 1760, the same year King George III ascended to the throne.

The House of Creed's early success is linked to its association with royalty. In 1760, James Henry Creed presented King George III with a pair of scented leather gloves, marking the beginning of the company's reputation for exquisite tailoring. Over the years, the House of Creed has dressed and scented royalty and high society, including Queen Victoria, Empress Eugénie, and Count d'Orsay.

The company's expansion continued under the leadership of Henry Creed, who established a presence in Paris, France, in 1854, under the patronage of Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie. Henry Creed's talents as a tailor were recognised by Queen Victoria, who appointed him as an official supplier to the Royal Household. Henry Creed's creations extended beyond tailoring, as he crafted exquisite fragrances that appealed to royalty and the elite.

The House of Creed has been shaped by seven generations, each contributing to its legacy. After Henry Creed's death, his son Henry and grandson James, father of Olivier, carried on the family business. The current generation of creative directors includes Olivier Creed and his son Erwin Creed, who continue to create artisanal fragrances, upholding the House of Creed's longstanding tradition of excellence.

Creed's history of tailoring

The House of Creed, an Anglo-French luxury perfume house, has a long and illustrious history that dates back over 250 years. The Creed family's journey to becoming master perfumers began in the tailoring business, with the family's talent for creation evident across generations.

The story of the House of Creed 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. This marked the start of the Creed name, as the company began to establish itself as a renowned tailor, creating exquisite garments for royalty and high society.

The House of Creed's tailoring expertise extended beyond London to Paris, where Henry Creed, son of James Creed, established the first English tailor shop in the French capital on Rue de La Paix. Henry Creed's talents were recognised by European royalty, including Queen Victoria, who appointed Creed as an official supplier to the Royal Household. In 1854, under the patronage of Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie, Creed established another headquarters in Paris, further solidifying its reputation for impeccable tailoring and exclusive fragrances.

The House of Creed's connection to royalty continued with Henry Creed creating a riding habit for Queen Victoria in 1885, which can now be found in the Kyoto Museum. This riding habit inspired the campaign for their best-selling female fragrance, Aventus for Her. The House of Creed's legacy of tailoring continued with Henry's son, Charles, who undertook an apprenticeship at Linton Tweeds and became a founding member of the British Fashion Institute.

Over time, the House of Creed evolved from tailoring to focus on its now-iconic fragrances. This transition was led by Olivier Creed, who created the blockbuster fragrance Aventus, transforming the business and solidifying its place as one of the world's leading niche perfume houses. Today, Olivier Creed and his son, Erwin Creed, continue the family legacy, creating artisanal fragrances in their factory in Fontainebleau, using the finest ingredients sourced from around the globe.

Creed's fragrances

Creed is an Anglo-French luxury perfume house, specialising in artisan fragrances for men and women. Creed fragrances are made from the finest perfume ingredients the world has to offer, including rose from Bulgaria, Turkey and Morocco, Florentine Iris, Calabrian bergamot, Haitian vetiver, Bourbon vanilla, Italian jasmine and ambergris.

The House of Creed was founded in 1760 by James Henry Creed as a tailoring establishment in London. The company claims that its first order was a pair of scented leather gloves, delivered to King George III. Creed's tailoring business went on to serve royalty and the fashionable dandy Count d'Orsay, Queen Victoria, and Empress Eugénie.

In 1885, Henry Creed created a riding habit for Queen Victoria, which inspired the campaign for Creed's best-selling female fragrance Aventus for Her.

The House of Creed's transition from tailoring to fragrances began with Henry Creed, whose sons Henry and James took over the business after his death. James and his son Olivier Creed continued the legacy, with Olivier creating the blockbuster fragrance Aventus, which transformed the business.

Creed has boutiques in Paris, London, New York City, Beverly Hills, Sydney, Dubai, Kuwait City, Vienna, Manila, Cebu City, Mexico City, Milan, Miami, and Dallas, as well as stands in high-end retailers across the world.

Some of Creed's bestselling fragrances include Absolu Aventus, Aventus for Her, Royal Mayfair, Centaurus, Aventus, Silver Mountain Water, and Green Irish Tweed.

Creed's royal connections

The House of Creed has a rich history of royal connections, dating back to its founding in 1760. The brand's royal associations began with King George III, who was gifted a pair of scented leather gloves by the company, then a London tailoring business founded by James Henry Creed.

The House of Creed's connection to royalty continued with Queen Victoria, King George III's granddaughter, who appointed Creed as an official supplier to the Royal Household. In addition, in 1854, the House of Creed established another headquarters in Paris, France, under the patronage of Napoleon III and his Empress, Eugénie, a leader of European fashion. Creed supplied most of the royalty of the time and became known for its impeccable tailoring and exclusive fragrances.

In 1860, an article in the Army and Navy Gazette mentioned that Henry Creed of 'Creed and Cumberland' was received by Queen Victoria and the major European courts. Henry Creed had previously worked for tailors Messrs Harris & Co in D'Antin Paris, creating garments for European royalty. In 1885, he received a Royal Warrant, signed by the Mistress of the Robes, Annie Roxburgh. This warrant can still be seen in Creed's Serbie Store in Paris. Henry also created a riding habit for Queen Victoria in 1885, which is now on display in the Kyoto Museum. This riding habit inspired the campaign for Creed's best-selling female fragrance, Aventus for Her.

Today, Creed continues to create artisanal fragrances, sourcing the finest materials from around the world, building on its legacy of royal connections and exquisite craftsmanship.

Creed's current creative directors

Creed Fragrances, an Anglo-French multinational niche perfume house, was founded in 1760 by James Henry Creed as a tailoring establishment in London. Over the years, Creed has expanded into the fragrance business, with its first headquarters in Paris established in 1854. The current creative directors of Creed are Olivier Creed and his son, Erwin Creed.

Olivier Creed is a seventh-generation perfumer and the creator of the iconic Aventus fragrance. He is credited with transforming the House of Creed by expanding its reach and focusing on fragrances. In an interview, Olivier mentioned that his grandmother and father supported his passion for fragrances, with his grandmother even providing him with a mould to make perfume bottles.

Erwin Creed, Olivier's son, represents the eighth generation of the Creed perfumers. He has helped expand the Creed brand internationally, with the popularity of the Aventus fragrance enabling the opening of a New York boutique. Erwin continues to work alongside his father, creating artisanal perfumes at their factory in Fontainebleau.

The Creed family's dedication to their craft and their commitment to using the finest ingredients have solidified their reputation as one of the world's leading niche perfume houses. Their fragrances are known for their originality and high quality, with signature ingredients sourced from around the globe, including Bulgarian rose, Florentine iris, and Haitian vetiver.

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