Written by Ally Santos

On a rain-swept evening in Iconic Boathouse Central Park this December 11, an intimate yet distinguished gathering took place beneath elegantly lit canopies in Central Park. Hosted by Kintessence—the renowned U.S. distributor representing some of the world’s most esteemed fragrance houses—this exclusive soirée brought together the leading voices and faces of the fragrance influencer world. The occasion: honoring 150 years of Clive Christian, a name synonymous with luxury perfume craftsmanship.

For over 150 years, Clive Christian has been the epitome of luxury perfumery. Founded in 1872 as The Crown Perfumery Company in London, this fragrance house has built a legacy of craftsmanship, elegance, and sophistication, setting the bar for what true luxury in perfume means. As we celebrate this monumental anniversary, it’s a perfect opportunity to look back at the history, the iconic fragrances that defined Clive Christian, and the exciting future that lies ahead for the brand.

The Iconic Fragrances That Defined Clive Christian

Throughout its history, Clive Christian has released fragrances that have not only stood the test of time but have also redefined the art of perfumery. The brand's signature is its commitment to using the finest ingredients, creating complex compositions that appeal to the senses on every level. Let's take a closer look at some of the most iconic releases from the house, each of which holds a special place in the world of luxury fragrance.

Clive Christian No. 1

When you think of Clive Christian, you think of No. 1. Launched in 2001, this fragrance quickly became one of the most iconic scents in the industry. It’s known for being one of the most expensive perfumes in the world, and for a good reason. The formula includes rare ingredients, such as the highest-quality Indian jasmine, which at the time was incredibly difficult to source. No. 1 is a rich, opulent fragrance that balances florals, spices, and amber with a delicate sweetness. With top notes of bergamot, lime, and mandarin, a heart of jasmine, rose, and lily of the valley, and a deep, warm base of sandalwood, vanilla, and amber, it’s a perfume that commands attention and evokes pure indulgence. No. 1 is timeless, extravagant, and still highly revered by fragrance enthusiasts worldwide.

Crown Collection

Clive Christian’s Crown Collection pays homage to the brand’s royal roots, symbolizing the connection to the British monarchy. Crown No. 1 is a nod to the elegance and history of the Crown Perfumery Company, with its luxurious floral notes and aromatic complexity. The fragrance combines rich florals and woods, creating a scent that is both regal and inviting. It encapsulates Clive Christian’s commitment to creating elegant, high-quality perfumes that stand the test of time.

X Collection

Another notable collection from Clive Christian is the X Collection, which includes both X for Men and X for Women. These fragrances are known for their bold and sensual profiles. X for Men features spicy cinnamon, ginger, and amber, while X for Women balances sweet vanilla, orchid, and sandalwood with an oriental twist. Both of these fragrances play with contrasts, combining warm and spicy notes with smooth, creamy undertones to create a unique sensory experience.

The Noble Collection

The Noble Collection celebrates the world of Clive Christian with a more modern, elegant approach. These fragrances showcase a lighter, fresher side of the brand without losing the luxury and sophistication that the house is known for. Noble 1 and Noble 2 each offer a sophisticated blend of fruity, floral, and woody notes, providing a more accessible yet equally refined experience compared to the opulent No. 1. The Noble Collection encapsulates the brand’s ability to evolve while maintaining its legacy of quality and artistry.

Contemporary and Timeless: A New Era of Clive Christian Fragrances

In celebration of Clive Christian’s 150th anniversary, the brand released two standout fragrances: Contemporary and Timeless. These two fragrances exemplify the balance between Clive Christian’s storied history and the brand’s exciting future.

What Community Says About Contemporary

“Clive Christian’s Contemporary fragrance introduces itself with a subtle yet striking burst of blackberry, its dark, juicy sweetness instantly met by the light, green touch of geranium. Together, they create a bright, modern opening that feels both naturally refined and quietly enticing. At the heart, violet brings a delicate floral warmth, while nutmeg lends a gentle spice, blending seamlessly to craft a truly elegant middle ground—sophisticated yet approachable. As the scent settles, cedarwood anchors the composition, offering a dry, polished depth. Interwoven with malt’s cozy smoothness and the soft, verdant earthiness of moss, the base imparts a lasting impression of understated luxury. In Contemporary, each note finds its place in a harmonious balance. This fragrance speaks to today’s confident individuals.” - Ally @docfragrance

“Contemporary from Clive Christian was one of those fragrances I never knew I wanted . But glad I encountered and now see as a staple to my collection. The star of the show is the violet leaf intertwining with spices ,woods, malt & moss to provide something deeper than just a fresh fragrance from a classic era decades ago. It’s a modern take on an instant classic that succeed at being the standard for luxury fragrances. No wardrobe is complete without something so CONTEMPORARY to complement their outfit before heading out. “- Joe Anthony @un_averagejoe

“I had such an amazing evening celebrating Clive Christian’s 150 years of Timeless Elegance. It was such a treat to experience both Contemporary and Timeless from the collection, but if I had to pick a favorite, it would definitely be the Contemporary Limited Edition Parfum. The scent is so beautifully layered, with 203 ingredients coming together in such a unique way. I especially love the opening—it has this sweet blackberry note that makes it feel fresh and warm all at once. It’s modern, elegant, and so timeless—one of those fragrances that will never go out of style.”- Olga Avezbakiev @doseofolga

“Experiencing Clive Christian is truly unlike anything else. My first encounter with the brand, years ago, left an indelible impression—a moment so vivid it still feels fresh. Fast forward to today, with several gems now part of my collection, it feels especially meaningful to celebrate the brand’s legacy with the Contemporary Anniversary Edition. This masterpiece pays homage to 150 years of the Crown Perfumery tradition.The fragrance’s brilliance lies in its complexity—crafted from 203 ingredients that come together in perfect harmony. It opens with a vibrant burst of juicy blackberries, setting a tart yet inviting tone. From there, it transitions smoothly into the spiced warmth of nutmeg and cedarwood, before slowly unfolding into an earthy blend of moss and geranium, evoking the delicate richness of a fine single malt whisky. The result is a scent that wraps you in sophistication and elegance of British perfumery at its finest. This one is destined to be cherished for years, much like a prized bottle of scotch—reserved for those truly special occasions when only the extraordinary will do.” Olya @olyabar

“Clive Christian is such a luxurious house. You’re always going to get something unpredictable. The scents are unique, yet approachable. You’ll find this is the case with Comtemporary and Timeless, two releases in celebration of the brand’s 150 year anniversary. Contemporary (Blackberry, Cedarwood, Geranium) Contemporary opens with a slightly sweet and juicy blackberry. As it dries down, there’s a subtle floral that comes out to play. There is also a slight tartness that starts to show up in the fragrance, which I believe is coming from the geranium, a note I’m not very familiar with. Contemporary is warm, ambery, and woody but also fresh, a really unique fragrance.” - Delmark & Marissa @hisnherscents

“Clive Christian is one of those brands that feels like pure luxury—timeless, elegant, and so well-crafted. Their fragrances are like little pieces of art, carefully made to feel special and unique. Wearing Clive Contemporary feels like stepping into a calm, modern space—polished wood, soft leather, and that cozy, refined feeling you get in a beautifully designed room. It’s simple but so sophisticated, and it makes me feel put together without even trying. To me, it’s a quiet luxury, the kind that stays with you and makes you feel your best.”- Sheila @sheilacwh

What Community Says About Timeless

“In 2024, despite the plethora of new fragrance releases, I stumbled upon something truly exceptional: Timeless by Clive Christian. In a year teeming with new releases and experimental DNAs, this fragrance stood out with its sophisticated olfactory profile as well as its charismatic appeal. As I sprayed it for the first time, the intricate layers of Timeless began to unfold beautifully, and I was immediately captivated by its freshness and complexity. The initial burst is a crisp, invigorating blend of mint and lime, bright and zesty but ultimately smooth. The mint feels refreshing and quite cooling while the lime brings a vibrant and tart citrus edge, conveying an immediate sense of energy.

These opening notes are eventually joined by bitter orange note, which adds a slightly tangy, complex sweetness that grounds the freshness of the citrus. As the fragrance settles, the heart notes begin to reveal themselves. Lavender emerges with its calming, floral nuances, providing a smooth, almost powdery softness to the composition. The coriander adds a touch of spice while its herbal warmth subtly weaves through the lavender, giving it an intriguing, aromatic quality. The base of Timeless continues the sophistication with its combination of clean vetiver and billowy musk. The verdant nature of the vetiver harkens back to some of the classics worn by many gentlemen who have paved the way for modern fragrance releases.

This nod to the classics is another reason why I have such an affinity for Timeless. What makes Timeless truly exceptional is its seamless ability to illustrate contrasts: the invigorating freshness of mint and lime meets the herbal complexity of lavender and coriander, while the earthy vetiver and comforting musk anchor the composition with an elegant sophistication. It’s a fragrance that speaks to both class and distinction, easily walking the line between contemporary and classic; bold yet ultra wearable. In a year where many fragrances leaned toward loud, attention-grabbing profiles, Timeless stands apart for its understated elegance and enduring appeal. With a name like Timeless, this is a perfume you can wear beyond 2024!”- Steven Gavrielatos @redolessence

“I had the absolute pleasure of experiencing Clive Christian’s 150th-anniversary fragrances, and let me tell you — they are pure magic! Timeless is a stunning tribute to classic elegance with notes of ginger, lime, and warm amber that feel both regal and comforting. Contemporary is a bold, modern twist with fresh sage, lavender, and a hint of spice that’s endlessly captivating. These aren’t just fragrances — they’re a celebration of heritage, craftsmanship, and true luxury. I cannot wait for everyone to experience them for themselves. Trust me, they’re worth every moment of anticipation!” - Greivy

“I have limited experience with the house of Clive, Christian, but recently I had the pleasure of smelling two of their fragrances in celebration of their 150th year anniversary, and those were Clive Christian timeless, and Clive Christian contemporary. It was a beautiful experience during this holiday celebration to see these festive and bougie fragrance bottles, and trying to judge them solely upon appearance and wondering, what do they smell like? The first fragrance started off with timeless.

Timeless to me was the old factory representation of a British scholar, wearing a tweed coat with suede elbow pads. A dapper gentleman who gets a classy haircut and a full hot towel barber shave in preparation for his polo match.

Timeless is a crisp clean, lavender fragrance that gives me full cherish elements reminding me of traditional barbershop for me. Send profiles with Debbonaire energy. A beautifully clean uncomplicated central profile that can appeal to the masses, however, it did not leave the impression that contemporary did contemporary off of my skin smelled glorious. Also uncomplicated, but sometimes the most beautiful fragrance is off your skin are the most uncomplicated sense that just complement your overall aura beautifully. As a person who indulges in a couple of whiskeys a week, there were something that was very familiar in the contemporary simple profile with this beautiful multi whiskey, undertone, yet adding an element of sweetness and bitterness to an overall comforting, sexy fresh profile, but it was all about the Dry down in contemporary for me.

That really took it to another level. It smelled of old school money it smelled of mingling with people of high net worth, sign me up!!! the cedar in contemporary added a beautiful viciousness while the blackberry added the juicy bitter note upon the opening. The violet leaf added a gorgeous powdery Essence with a mild petroleum vibe which added a boldness to the fragrance. I think both of these Clive Christian fragrances were beautifully done in a classical format, caterer for versatility, signature scent energy and classy vibes, all of which I barely possess. I always tell people sample before you buy, and don’t trust me trust your skin. -Team Cubaknow!” - Angel @cubaknow

“Timeless (Bitter orange, lime, ginger, lavender, mint, coriander seed, nutmeg, leather, musks and amber) The name truly represents the fragrance. It’s reminiscent of an old-school, classic fougere, but with a modern twist. It opens up with a bright citrus that has green undertones. One of my favorite facets of the fragrance, is the blend of spices. It warms up the scent a bit, despite being a green, slightly acquatic scent. There’s also a slight creamy feel that I love, which I believe is from the nutmeg. These are two solid releases with the excellent quality that the brand is known for. We are so grateful to Kintessence for sharing them with us.”- Delmark & Marissa @hisnherscents

Clive Christian’s Future: Innovation and Luxury

As Clive Christian enters its next 150 years, the brand continues to innovate while staying true to its heritage. Today’s fragrance consumers are more knowledgeable and discerning than ever before, and Clive Christian has adapted to meet their needs. The brand has been at the forefront of using rare, sustainable ingredients, combining the luxury of tradition with the ethical values that are becoming increasingly important in the modern world. Clive Christian remains committed to excellence, with a focus on creating lasting, meaningful scents that transcend fleeting trends.

What makes Clive Christian still stand out today is its relentless pursuit of perfection. The brand’s ability to innovate while honoring its rich history is what keeps it relevant and admired.

Why Clive Christian Stands the Test of Time

The secret to Clive Christian’s enduring success lies in its ability to blend heritage with innovation. It’s a brand that celebrates its royal past while embracing the demands of modern luxury. Each fragrance is a masterpiece, crafted with the finest ingredients and attention to detail. The 150-year anniversary is not just a celebration of the past; it’s a promise of more breathtaking fragrances to come.