The design of the Amazone, with its union of the feminine and masculine, of attractiveness and practicality, perfectly captures the modern woman’s skill for expressing her desirability whilst refusing to be stymied in her activities. It is no wonder that the Amazone paved the way for such an important step, providing the women who would later become the feminists of the 20th century with a conduit for self-expression, not just through fashion but also through the physical empowerment of sport.
As perceptions of femininity began to shift in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, both propelled by and reflected in fashion and clothing, so too did fragrance styles evolve. During the Victorian era, strong scents were associated with ‘fallen women’ and thus frowned upon. Understated fragrances were preferred, particularly ones that conjured up a specific flower, such as rose or violet, reflecting the ornamental fragility of the wearer. This is perhaps why the scenting of clothing by tailors like Creed was such a popular choice – the fabric would delicately perfume the air as opposed to the intimate intensity of fragrance warmed against bare skin. However, as women’s freedoms increased, many found they no longer wanted to smell like, or be seen as, delicate flowers. They were hungry to express their newfound autonomy through audacious, androgynous and sensual scents.
The tireless ambition, self-possession and independence of the women of this era – elevated by a flair for fashion and style - is truly iconic. An irresistible inspiration, in 2016 The House of Creed debuted an homage not just to the female visionaries of the 19th century, but also to the modern woman and her lust for life, with the opulent, sensual fragrance, Aventus For Her.
The interplay between women’s emancipation and clothing is perfectly encapsulated by the history of the Riding Habit, where enduring social rules were subtly coaxed towards new perspectives – a part of Creed’s history that served as inspiration for Olivier Creed when creating Aventus For Her. To celebrate this extraordinary aspect of Creed’s past, we asked designers Cunnington & Sanderson to take elements from the equestrian outfits of the past, and use them to inspire their own modern, deconstructed creations. The resulting strong, elegant and unapologetically feminine silhouettes are extraordinary. Expertly crafted equestrian performance attire blends seamlessly with daring couture garments. The black and white of the costume Amazone is referenced faithfully, but elevated with dashes of military red. It is impossible not to imagine that it would meet with the indomitable Empress Eugenie’s approval.
