Choosing a Wedding Day Scent with Creed
I’m always a bit hesitant to suggest a signature scent to someone IRL. It’s such a broad question, there are so many possibilities…
Weddings, though, well they are irresistible.
I spent a few years at a wedding magazine and I can honestly say it was the most delightful experience, flying under the radar of management focussed on mainstream titles, heaps of autonomy and room to indulge every whim. It was a time that really sparked my interest in scent.
So when I get asked to recommend a bridal perfume for a friend or follower, I’m all in. Give me a venue, a dress code, and I’ll throw a million suggestions out there.
But…
There’s still an element of uncertainty. Because fragrance is so damn subjective, based on experience and association, not to mention skin chemistry.
And then I was lucky enough to experience a Masterclass at Creed. Now I know what to say to those brides.
The mirrored, life-sized jewellery box that is the Creed flagship store in Sydney’s Double Bay is where I will now dutifully send all soon-to-be-weds.
Creed, founded in 1760 and fought over across the English Channel by royalty and rogue alike, is placed in a coveted position in the fragrance industry. Still dusted with the prestige of claiming Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, Cary Grant, Paul Newman, Princess Diana and Elizabeth Taylor as exclusive clients, Creed opened its doors to the public in the 70’s, and brides in particular should thank their lucky stars.
From regal to romantic, bright and contemporary to richly steeped in history and smelling like it, Creed can provide. You see, after 200 years and 7 generations, Creed has compiled quite the portfolio of fragrances. They claim to contain the highest percentage of natural components in the French perfume industry, maintained by an infusion technique now abandoned by modern industry. Unique takes on vanilla, civet and musk are part of Creed’s identity but if there’s one note that embodies the Creed persona, it’s Ambergris (according to the charming and knowledgeable Michael Manzano, my masterclass guide).
Ambergris, and don’t let this put you off if you don’t know, is a substance excreted by whales. It’s traditionally used as a fixative, adding longevity to more delicate, seductive, but ultimately fleeting notes like white florals (metaphor for marriage anyone)? Earthy and airy and bright, aquatic and soft and abstract yet it retaining that effect of plunging into the vast, clean, limitless ocean, ambergris is magic. All the Creed fragrances I’ve experienced, despite their breadth (there really is something for anyone), contain this space and longevity. A Masterclass will walk you through different categories of scent, particular notes, the history and significance of different releases and how they coordinate with each other – I would think that ideally, you’d pop along with your betrothed and pick a pair.
So the question is, do these Masterclasses come with the W-tax applied, that infuriating price spike that seems to attach itself to all things wedding related? Nope. The cost is completely redeemable on the purchase of a perfume (which I think it’s a pretty safe bet). You’re basically getting a fragrance education for free, and you’ll have a scent to treasure that’s chosen by you.
Just let me pretend I was involved…
To book a Masterclass at Creed’s Double Bay store, visit their Australian website, www.creedperfume.com.au.