Cologne King Collins on Watches and Modeling for Ralph Lauren

As a premed student at the University of Maine, Chris Collins had every intention of working in health care. The Paterson, N.J., native envisioned a future as a physical therapist or a psychologist—but a chance encounter with a modeling scout changed his trajectory dramatically. “You know the saying,” the 50-year-old quips. “If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans.”

After graduating in 1996, he moved to New York City and landed a dream gig as an in-house model for Ralph Lauren. For nearly 20 years, Collins appeared regularly in campaigns for the American designer’s clothing, which inevitably exposed him to the wider world of luxury. A friendship with Kilian Hennessy of the eponymous perfume house motivated Collins to create his own collection of high-end scents in 2018. Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus began stocking World of Chris Collins in short order, and in 2021, it became the first Black-owned fragrance brand sold at Sephora, a major achievement for a niche label. Its sophisticated, long-lasting aromas—with names like Lust, Sweet Taboo, and Long Kiss Goodnight—are uniquely sensual, because, he says, “I want people to feel comfortable in accepting their playful, dark side.” Here, Collins shares what else inspires his creative output.

What’s the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?

I’m an early riser. I’m up at like 4 a.m., 4:30 a.m. I take a minute and pause and figure out what I need to do that day, take a breath, and get out of bed around 5 a.m.

What do you crave most at the end of the day?

A nice glass of red wine relaxes me. I don’t drink a lot, but that’s my wind down: catching up over what happened during the day over a glass of wine. I like Cabernets, Malbec, Shiraz—I like a nice, bold red.

What have you done recently for the first time?

I sailed on a boat all around Croatia, visiting every single island, and lived on the boat for an entire week, which was incredible.

What do you still do that’s analog?

I’m a big writer. I feel like it’s old-school, but my ritual is writing down all of my thoughts, even if they don’t make sense. If an idea for a fragrance comes into my head, I write it down.

What in your wardrobe do you wear most often?

A black tuxedo jacket. I’m a jeans, Chelsea boot, T-shirt, blazer guy, but [in the evenings] it’s a tuxedo jacket. I have multiple black ones because if one is at the cleaners, I have to be able to wear one. I have one from Tom Ford, and Ralph Lauren, for sure.

What is your favorite cocktail, and how do you make it?

This summer, it’s been a mezcal negroni. I saw it on a menu earlier this summer, and I was like, “Let me try this out.”

What’s the most recent thing you’ve added to your collection?

I’m a huge watch guy. So for my 50th birthday, which was last November, I got myself an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. They call it the Cubano because it has a tobacco-colored leather band.

Are you wearing a watch? How many do you have in your collection?

I’m wearing my Kermit. I think this was the 50th-anniversary Rolex Submariner. I have seven in my collection. I got the A.P. I have a few Rolexes—I have a stainless-steel Daytona—and a Panerai.

Who is your dealer, and what do they source for you?

I don’t have a dealer, I’m the dealer! [Laughs.] I guess my dealer is my fragrance house, which provides me all the fragrances I need and new recipes to launch.

What is your exercise routine, and how often do you do it?

I just picked up doing Pilates—reformer Pilates. I was a little hesitant, because I thought it wasn’t, like, a “boy sport.” My first class kicked my ass, and now I’m addicted to it. I try to do it at least once or twice a week.

What does success look like to you?

Success, to me, is fulfillment. A lot of times, I’m so busy trying to hit the next mark that I very seldom just stop for a second and say, “You know, Chris, you’re doing a pretty good job.” To be able to acknowledge what I’ve done—that, to me, is success.

If you could learn a new skill, what would it be?

I always love the violin when I hear it. I would love to learn how to play the violin, or the cello, or some string instrument.

Drive or be driven?

At the moment, drive. I just got myself a little Maserati, a 2024 Grecale. People say it’s my midlife-crisis car. But eventually I want to be driven.

What car are you most attached to?

My everyday car, which is a Range Rover. I’ve always got boxes [of fragrances] in there.

When was the last time you completely unplugged?

I don’t remember, because I feel like if I completely unplug, I’m more anxious. So, what I do is I accept that, and I take whatever amount of time I need to do [the work] I need to do—even if I’m on vacation— and then I can relax.

What’s your favorite hotel?

Hôtel Costes in Paris. Even if I’m not staying there, I always go there for a drink. It smells so good.

What’s the last piece of advice you gave?

To start. Whatever it is [that you want to do], my advice is always to start. Don’t wait. You have to start somewhere. You have to make the energy kinetic. You have to move forward, because if you don’t, the ideas will just go away.

The last piece of advice you were given?

The most precious thing you have is your time, so protect it.

Last streaming binge?

The White Lotus. I watched the entire season in one day, right up until the finale came on.

What sort of music makes you happy?

Opera. I may not understand a single word, but it just makes me feel at peace. I’m constantly listening to Dante. There’s a song called “Vide Cor Meum,” which I named a fragrance after, and I listen to that a lot.