Undercover: La Perla Lingerie, Creed Perfume (107)Join Gordon Elliott for a bespoke experience of the most sensual kind. He consults with La Perla, the Italian undergarment company, about its perfect combination of tradition and innovative creations for the female body. A world leader in handcrafted corsetry, La Perla indulges its customers with the ultimate in luxury lingerie.
Then it's on to the House of Creed, the centuries-old maker of some of the world's finest perfume. Under the direction of Olivier Creed, the company specializes in creating unique, exclusive fragrances for a discriminating clientele.
La Perla Facts:
- Bra-like garments were worn by Minoan women on the island of Crete as far back as 2500 BC.
- Statistics show the average American woman owns six bras—including one that is strapless and one that is a color other than white.
- Catherine de Médicis, wife of King Henri II of France, imposed a ban on "thick waists" on her ladies and their maids through the introduction of a steel corset.
- The first modern bra was invented out of necessity in 1913 by a New York socialite named Mary Phelps Jacob. Because she could not wear the usual whaleback corset underneath a sheer evening gown, she fashioned a simple backless brassiere using two handkerchiefs, ribbon and some cord.
Resources:
Sport and Seduction: The History of Corsets and Bras
by Beatrice Fontanel, Willard Wood (Translator)
The Corset: A Cultural History
by Valerie Steele
La Perla Fashion Group
www.laperla.com
Creed Perfume Facts:
- Perfume was a holistic, integral part of the ancient Egyptians' religious rituals. The importance of perfume to the civilization is underscored by the existence of Nefertem, the god of fragrance.
- The word "perfume" has its roots in Latin: per meaning "through" and fumus meaning "smoke." The French word parfum describes the pleasant smells emitted from burning incense.
- The court of Louis XV was named "le cour parfumee" ("the perfumed court") because scents were applied daily not just to the skin but also to clothing, fans and furniture. Madame de Pompadour, the king's mistress, ordered generous supplies of perfume. At that time, perfume substituted for soap and water.
- The House of Creed was founded in 1760, and its fragrances have long been a favorite of royal families, dignitaries and celebrities.
- Some of the specially created fragrances from the House of Creed include Vintage Tobarome for Winston Churchill, Fleurissimo commissioned by Prince Rainier for Princess Grace's wedding day and Spring Flower for Audrey Hepburn.
Contact Information:
The House of Creed
www.parfumscreed.com
Resources:
Perfume : The Art and Science of Scent
by Cathy Newman, Robb Kendrick (Photographer)
Scents of Time : Perfume from Ancient Egypt to the 21st Century
by Edwin L. Morris
Unofficial House of Creed website
www.luxuryprofile.com
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