Message In a Bottle: Creed Debuts its New Fashion Inspired Fragrance

Creed tours you through their history of style, perfumery, and the unveiling of their new Manila boutique

At the house of Creed, scent is seen as one of the most powerful forms of communiqué. Originally founded as a tailoring house in the year 1760, Creed has since then moved past its roots in fashion and into the realm of fragrances.

The Anglo-French perfumery takes stirring emotion a step further, painting pictures with each of their artisanal fragrances. For Creed, crafting a message is part and parcel in the art of scents. Among their prominent lines, Aventus, Millesime Imperial, and Silver Mountain Water serve as the pillars of their house. The three high-profile fragrances lean toward masculine scents, portraying images of heritage, modern golden hues, and glistening icy streams.

In a departure from their signature masculine perfumes, Creed draws inspiration from its history of haute couture for the release of its latest line. Steven Bywater, Creed’s business development manager across the Asia–Pacific, debuted Creed’s Carmina eau de parfum under their new boutique at The Podium. Several guests were invited from Vogue Philippines’ team and were given a tour of their cathedral-inspired space, culminating in a dialogue between Bywater and beauty editor Joyce Oreña. The pair discussed which types of perfume they preferred, how they chose their daily fragrances, and the role of scent in the art of communication.

creed_boutique | Vogue Philippines — The Vogue Editorial team learning about Creeds Carmina fragrance notes from Steven Bywater Photo by Makie Cruz

carmina_bottle | Vogue Philippines — Creeds latest fragrance Carmina Photo by Makie Cruz

“Everyone’s relationship with scent and fragrance is different, but people choose scents based on their mood, personality, and what they want to say with their perfume,” says Bywater.

As their latest feminine fragrance, the Carmina is a love letter to Creed’s original couture sketches. Carmina begins with a tangy opening of black cherry and pink pepper, underlaid with the warmth of saffron. At its heart are floral notes led in a dance between Rose de Mai, cashmere wood, and violet. With each petal peeled back, the Carmina unfolds in a base smoldering with elements of frankincense, myrrh, and amber. Through Carmina, Creed stays true to producing scents that evoke emotion and leave lasting impressions with every bottle of fragrance.