Clive Christian Iconic: the anniversary duo and the story behind the crown
A crown on the bottle, a queen as a regular customer and a world record delivered by Bentley. Clive Christian is one of the few perfume houses whose history goes back to Victorian London. For the brand’s 20th anniversary it released a duo that collectors still talk about: Iconic Masculine and Iconic Feminine.
- Clive Christian traces its roots to the Crown Perfumery, founded in London in 1872.
- Queen Victoria allowed the house to use her crown on its bottles. It still adorns them today.
- Iconic Masculine and Iconic Feminine were released as a limited edition for the 20th anniversary of Clive Christian Perfume and returned in 2023 due to high demand.
- You will find the current collection online and in our boutique in Bregenz.
From the Crown Perfumery to Clive Christian
In 1872 an American entrepreneur founded the Crown Perfumery in London. Its most famous customer was none other than Queen Victoria. She allowed the house to depict her crown on its bottles, which is where the crown stopper you still see on every Clive Christian bottle comes from. If you would like to go deeper, Clive Christian tells the full story of the Crown Perfumery on the house’s official website.
After an eventful history that included a sale and a closure, British designer Clive Christian took over the rights to the historic name. Since then, perfumes have been created under his name that deliberately rely on high concentrations and precious raw materials.
The Iconic duo: a pair for an anniversary
For the 20th anniversary of Clive Christian Perfume, the house released two limited fragrances designed as a pair. Because they were so popular, Iconic Masculine and Iconic Feminine were reissued on 1 November 2023 in a strictly limited run.
Iconic Masculine is fresh and radiant: petitgrain and sweet mandarin, lifted by pink pepper and grounded by cedarwood.
Iconic Feminine is opulent: Damask rose, saffron, honeyed plum and violet, rounded off with warm amber.
The bottles wear a platinum-coloured cage and Queen Victoria’s crown. The cage quotes the ornate Crown Perfumery bottles of 1872, and the jewel-like colour makes them a showpiece on any dressing table.
How to wear Clive Christian
Clive Christian fragrances are highly concentrated, so less is more: two sprays on pulse points usually last all day. To get the most out of every drop, read our 10 tips on how to apply perfume.
Curiosities around Clive Christian
Things you probably didn’t know
- Corsets first, perfume later
The founder of the Crown Perfumery had made his fortune with corsets: he is credited as the first in the US to manufacture crinolines and to make corsets by machine. His “Glove-Fitting Corset” was a bestseller on both sides of the Atlantic.
- A royally approved crown
Queen Victoria, the house’s most famous customer, allowed the Crown Perfumery to depict her crown on its bottles. It still sits as the stopper on every Clive Christian bottle.
- Closed down by a soap giant
After the founder’s death the Crown Perfumery went to Lever Brothers, today’s Unilever. The group used the name for hair products and closed the house in 1939. It was only revived decades later.
- A world record with a chauffeur
According to Guinness World Records, “No.1 Imperial Majesty” was the most expensive perfume on sale in 2005: 500 ml in Baccarat crystal with a five-carat diamond and a gold collar, for 205,000 US dollars, delivered by Bentley. It was launched at Roja Dove’s Haute Parfumerie at Harrods. Clive Christian tells the story of this record-breaking bottle on its own website under Imperial Majesty.
- Platinum for the twentieth
The platinum colour of the Iconic bottles is no coincidence: platinum is traditionally the material for a 20th anniversary.
The name 1872 Masculine recalls the year the Crown Perfumery was founded. A fragrance as a birth certificate.
Iconic at 4D OUTFITTERS today
The limited Iconic bottles are currently not available in our online shop. If you are looking for them, write to us at service@4doutfitters.com. The rest of the collection, from No.1 to the Private Collection, is waiting for you in our Clive Christian collection and at the very bottom of this page.
Frequently asked questions about Clive Christian
What does Clive Christian have to do with the Crown Perfumery?
Clive Christian continues the legacy of the Crown Perfumery, founded in London in 1872. The crown on the bottles goes back to a permission granted by Queen Victoria.
Are Iconic Masculine and Iconic Feminine still available?
Both were strictly limited anniversary editions. They are currently not available in the 4D OUTFITTERS online shop. Feel free to ask us by email.
How much Clive Christian perfume should I apply?
Sparingly. The fragrances are highly concentrated, and two sprays on pulse points are usually enough.
Good to know: every fragrance comes with a sample of the fragrance you ordered, and you can choose up to four further free samples via the order note in your cart. Shipping is free from € 200, you have a 14-day right of return, and every order earns you stars in the 4D Insider Club. Questions? Write to service@4doutfitters.com or visit us at Kornmarktstraße 7 in Bregenz.
Your 4D OUTFITTERS team, Bregenz
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