Every collector has that one fragrance—the one that flipped a switch and changed the way we think about scent forever. For me, and for countless others I’ve met along this journey, that fragrance was Creed Aventus.

I remember the first time I tried it. I wasn’t standing in some high-end boutique or being guided by a personal fragrance consultant. I was just someone curious, maybe a little bored with the same old designer scents lining department store shelves. Then came Aventus—bold, vibrant pineapple cutting through smoky birch and rich musk. It wasn’t just a fragrance; it was a moment.

And if you’re nodding along right now, you know exactly what I mean.

From One Bottle to a Universe
For many of us, Aventus was the spark that lit a fire we didn’t even know was waiting to burn. Suddenly, we weren’t just buying perfume—we were learning about it. Notes like oud, orris, and labdanum became part of our vocabulary. We found ourselves deep-diving into fragrance forums, hunting down elusive discontinued bottles, and experiencing the thrill of our first blind buy (and, let’s be honest, surviving our first blind buy regret).

Aventus taught us that scent could be more than “smells nice” or “lasts long.” It could be art. It could be personality. It could be rebellion, seduction, comfort, nostalgia—all bottled up.

No Shame in the Collection Game
Over time, my collection grew—sometimes wildly, sometimes carefully curated. And if you’re like me, you’ve probably wrestled with a little bit of guilt over that growing shelf, or faced the occasional judgment for having “too many bottles.”

Let me say this clearly: There’s no shame in how you build your collection. Whether you have ten bottles or two hundred, whether you love rare indie oils or still keep a place for Aventus and other well-known names—every bottle represents a moment, a discovery, a part of your personal story.

Perfume is about joy, not perfection. You don’t have to chase the most exclusive, the most avant-garde, or the most obscure to be a “real” collector. And if anyone tries to gatekeep this beautiful hobby, just smile, spray whatever makes you happiest, and keep building your collection your way.

Aventus Still Has a Place on My Shelf
Even now, after years of exploring everything from smoky animalics to delicate vintage florals, Aventus still has its spot on my shelf. Not out of obligation or nostalgia—but because sometimes, on the right day, it still feels just as thrilling as the first time.

And isn’t that what this is all about? Finding the scents that light us up, whenever and however they do.

So if Aventus was your first love, or still is, wear it proudly. And if your collection is a glorious mix of mainstream legends and niche unicorns, know that you’re not alone. This journey is yours, and every scent you fall for—whether it’s a $400 extrait or a drugstore gem—is worth celebrating.

Here’s to the bottles that started it all, and to the many more still waiting to find us.