Founded in London in 1760 by James Henry Creed, the House of Creed quickly became the official supplier of fragrances for the royal court under the orders of Queen Victoria, a ruler synonymous with elegance and sophistication.
Serving over ten royal houses and a long line of emperors and empresses including Napoleon, Eugénie of France, Franz-Joseph and Elizabeth of Austro-Hungary and Christina of Spain, Creed relocated to Paris in 1854 and today its flagship store still remains on Avenue Pierre. It is claimed that at one stage all the palaces of Europe were filled with the scents created by James Henry Creed and his descendants having established itself as a provider of the finest and most luxurious fragrances available. Even today as one of the hundred oldest family businesses in the world, Creed has been handed down from father to son, not only keeping its royal tradition intact, but also its familial traditions.
Despite technological advances the House of Creed refuses to use synthetics in the production of their scents and instead ancient techniques are still practiced as the components are weighed, mixed, macerated and filtered by hand. With each fragrance being steeped in such tradition it is believed that this is one of the factors which has lead to the brands resounding success today. Used by royalty, public leaders, celebrities, the successful and fashionable, the brand continues to be highly valued and is seen as an aspirational scent. Like the company itself, those wearing the brand often do so because like a family heirloom their forefathers have also worn the distinguished scents and once one has become a consumer of such a luxury, loyalty is established and the secret is passed on through the generations.
One of Creed’s most high profile fragrances is Green Irish Tweed, which was first introduced in 1985 and over the years has developed to become a signature cologne for many including HRH Prince Charles. Top notes of lemon and French verbena, along with Irish and violet leaf middle notes and a sandalwood base note are orchestrated together to create a clean and refreshing scent which instantly ignites ones senses yet is not overpowering. The ingredients create a woody fragrance which when enriched with aquatic scents it delivers an almost ‘mossy’ fragrance, reminiscent of the Irish forests, and shooting parties; a delicate balance between nature and aristocracy. The cologne evokes an image of the masculine country gentleman and research has found the scent appeals to strong minded males who are intellectually astute and physically sporting. Despite being an international best seller, Green Irish Tweed is still a rarity in everyday society making those in the know privileged to wear such an emblematic cologne.
Words: Sanyika Odieté