Whether you’re a longtime Creed devotee, or a newcomer who is eager to learn more about this iconic fragrance house, you’re sure to get inspired by our new series, Spotlight On Scent. First up: the forever classic, Royal Mayfair. In the world of Creed, few happenings are as thrilling as when a “vaulted” fragrance, i.e. one that is tucked away and brought out only rarely and in limited quantities, becomes a permanent part of the family. And when said fragrance is Royal Mayfair, originally called Windsor after it was commissioned by the dashing Duke of Windsor nearly 80 years ago, then it’s an even worthier celebration.
Creed connoisseurs agree—Royal Mayfair is a masterpiece within the green/fresh fragrance family. The scent, created by Fourth Generation Perfumer Henry Creed III, sought to mirror the Duke’s inimitable fashion flair and bold convictions. After all, this is the monarch who famously gave up his throne in the pursuit of love; he married the American, twice-divorced Wallis Simpson in 1936. Clearly, he needed a unique scent to call his own. Fans got a peek at the fragrance in both 2010 and 2011, when it was reissued in limited quantities. In 2015, the fragrance was renamed Royal Mayfair, and launched as a permanent fragrance. The new name is a nod to its origins. “Royal,” obviously, ties to its regal connections, while “Mayfair” references the upscale shopping district in London. Interestingly, it’s also home to the Creed boutique.
Its notes are as British as its history. Royal Mayfair opens with British gin, Jamaican lime and a touch of Scottish Highland Pine. Next, the fragrance presents its Duke of Windsor Roses, and dries down to Bahamian orange, Canadian cedar and Australian eucalyptus. Creed’s signature infusion technique preserves the originality of each scent without relying on preservatives. Instead, the raw and rare materials have been steeped and distilled by hand, by the Creed family. The result is a fully universal fragrance that unfolds slowly on the skin. It’s been called a “fragrance event in and of itself.” We think you’ll agree.
