Our story started in 1971 as a hair salon at 58 South Molton Street, London; we’ve gathered together our favourite moments since then, with some milestones you may already know and others that may come as a surprise – all of which we fondly celebrate here and now.
Our pioneering co-founders Caroline Burstein and Michael Collis open our original salon in the creative hub of South Molton Street, Mayfair. They have a natural mindset that focuses on the individual – a trendsetting notion for the time.
Hand-mixing botanical hair care products in the basement of their salon, they attract an exclusive celebrity clientele, tended by the best stylists in the country whose work graces countless Vogue covers.
The duo’s care for the planet really leads the way; they refuse to test on animals and they create an in-house vegetarian restaurant – today, all of our formulas are 100% vegetarian.
We introduce our first signature scent in 1984 – Orange Grove Bath & Body collection, currently known as Orange & Bergamot. As well as featuring one of the country’s first upscale hand washes, the collection is provided to a London five-star hotel partner, making us one of the first luxury British amenity houses to supply hotels.
The same year as this launch, our founders move production to their country home at Mott’s Hall, Elsenham, growing herbs in their garden for their collections, and drying them in the barn.
We’ve stayed in England ever since; now, the majority of our products are manufactured in our Elsenham facility, just a couple of miles away from Motts Hall.
To round off this exciting era, we release a book called ‘A Way of Looking’ which puts into words Molton Brown’s ethos on unique, holistic beauty.
In 1990, we formalise our planet-friendly promise by sharing our Environmental Statement, which defines our commitment from day one: ‘we never test on animals and never will’.
Skip along a decade or so to when our iconic Re-charge Black Pepper fragrance is created by Master Perfumer Jacques Chabert, who we still have a close friendship with today – he also makes another Molton Brown favourite, Heavenly Gingerlily.
Since its arrival, Re-charge Black Pepper becomes a winning scent, collecting countless awards. Its status sees Jacques' daughter Carla, who follows in her father’s perfumery footsteps, create its popular partner Fiery Pink Pepper ten years later, as well as the much-loved Coastal Cypress & Sea Fennel.
“When you look at any brand that has sustained 50 years, they have always stayed true to themselves, true to their core values.”
Caroline Burstein, Co-founder and a friend of Molton Brown
