a regal air about it

Celebrity and royal favorite fragrance house graces Galleria boutique with new must-have collection

Photo credit House of Creed/Instagram

Creed also offers gift wrapping services and bottle engraving during the holiday season.

Finding the perfect holiday gift can be difficult, especially for someone with a penchant for luxury. Fragrances are a go-to present, as they are readily available in hundreds of iterations and are almost universally enjoyed. The ideal fragrance can evoke a sense of place and trigger memories, so finding a worthy elixir is essential.

TheHouse of Creed is on every best-of list, and a whiff of the long-lasting perfume with nearly 15 to 20 percent natural oils, a rarity in the gone-before-you-know-it perfume world, will make a great stand-alone gift or addition to any Christmas list.

Consistently named one of the best luxury perfume houses in the world, Creed got its venerable start in 1760 when it began supplying Queen Victoria's court with its perfumes. The House of Creed then moved to Paris and started providing fragrances to the French, Russian and Hungarian royal courts and aristocracy from around the world. Fast forward over two hundred years, and Creed has been worn by the likes of Winston Churchill, John F. Kennedy, Cary Grant, Frank Sinatra, Michelle Obama and Beyonce's husband, rapper Jay Z.

The niche luxury brand, available at the Houston Galleria, is an opulent holiday gift with scents for both men and women. Their latest offering, Cabinet of Curiosities, is a new collection made from Italian leather in a French navy blue hue with beige suede interiors.

A continuation of the brands' 2021 Leather Explorer Collection and inspired by the traveling trunks James Henry Creed saw on board the Empress of Canada in 1934, the collection includes sleek monogrammed Creed leather perfume sleeves and trunks made with leather and polished brass hardware.

For those not ready for a simpler idea, the brand offers gift sets containing three or five of their most popular scents at price points of between $215 to $345.

Rounding out the Cabinet of Curiosities collection, the brand's leather candle holders, refillable leather-bound travel atomizers and leather wallets make luxurious stocking stuffers. Creed also offers gift wrapping services and bottle, adding a bespoke touch to the already impressive experience.

-----

Creed, Houston Galleria across from Zara on Level 1, Monday to Thursday 11am to 8pm; Friday to Saturday 10am to 9pm; Sunday 11am to 7pm. For more information, call 281-910-3289 or visit House of Creed.

Save the date

Houston’s premier bridal showcase returns with latest tips and trends

Photo by Anthony Rathbun

undefined

Brides- and grooms-to-be should make their own save-the-dates for January 11 and 12, 2025. That’s when the 41st Bridal Extravaganza Show returns to the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston. The largest bridal planning showcase in the U.S., the event helps attendees plan the perfect big day.

More than 225 vendors will be on hand, ready to talk about the latest tips and trends in everything from cakes to flowers to dresses and beyond. Expect cake samples, décor and flower ideas, multiple fashion shows, Instagram walls for selfies, prizes, presentations on the latest bridal fashion and trends, and entertainment from Houston’s top wedding professionals.

New for 2025 is an added focus on destination weddings. more than 10 vendors specializing in both destination weddings and honeymoon arrangements will be in attendance.

Bridal Party Gifts premieres its new, two-sided, suede “Bride to Be” glitter sash, and LWx Custom Hats showcases a traveling hat bar, where the hatter will be on hand for demonstrations and guests can create custom hats for all their wedding events.

Among the many other new vendors are The Painted Bridal Bouquet, with an artist on hand to demonstrate how they turn a bride’s bouquet into a custom artwork, creating a one-of-a-kind keepsake, and Unlikely Designs, helmed by Houston-based bridal gown designer Watina Lee, who is launching the "The Affirmation Collection" at the show.

A full listing of vendors and planned events is available on the show’s website.

Attendees will leave the event with a digital list of all of their favorite vendors with the BrideScan app, allowing engaged couples to connect with wedding professionals via a QR code.

The first 100 VIP Brides also receive signature swag bags with complimentary gifts from sponsors and vendors. VIP tickets offer attendees early entry, special prizes, a $200 gift credit to SymbolizeIt photo website, the latest issue of Texas Weddings Magazine, and many additional secret surprises.

Tickets are available online. General admission tickets are $15 online and $25 at the door for adults, and children aged 5-12 are $5. VIP single admission is $35, or a VIP package for one Bride or Groom plus three guests is $99. Show hours are 11 am to 5 pm on Saturday, January 11 and 12-5 pm on Sunday, January 12.

weddings