Molton Brown

Molton Brown
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryRetail
Founded1971; 53 years ago (1971)
ProductsToiletries
ParentKao Corporation
Websitewww.moltonbrown.com

Molton Brown is a British fragrance brand founded in 1971 by Caroline Burstein and Michael Collis. The brand was conferred with a Royal Warrant for the supply of toiletries by appointment of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 2012.[1] The brand is a member of the Walpole body for promoting, protecting and developing British luxury.[2]

History[edit]

Molton Brown was founded in 1971 by Caroline Burstein and Michael Collis. The brand initially started as a hair salon and gained recognition for its exceptional reputation, attracting the attention of several notable public figures.[3] It started out of one location at 58 South Molton Street in Mayfair, London, situated near the Browns fashion boutique owned by Burstein's parents.[4][5][6][7] Molton Brown focused on developing natural hair care products and styling techniques such as finger-drying. The salon's in-house stylists, including Sam McKnight and Kerry Warn, later notably created covers for fashion magazines, including Vogue and Cosmopolitan. The brand also featured the then-unknown Kate Moss as an in-house model in the 1990s.[8]

The Burstein and Collis had personally hand-mixed the brand's products at the salon, before later moving production in 1984 to their country house, Motts Hall in Elsenham, Essex, England. The business continued to expand in the 1990s in partnership with hotel and travel providers and partnering with British Airways in 1996 in supplying the latter's in-flight amenities.[9]

The Japanese Kao Corporation acquired Molton Brown for £170m in 2005.[10][11]

In 2012, Molton Brown was conferred with a Royal Warrant for the supply of toiletries by appointment of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.[1]

Sustainability[edit]

Molton Brown products have never been tested on animals. The brand has been cruelty-free[12] since its founding and have created 100% vegetarian formulas.[13] The brand's manufacturing facility is carbon neutral and has used 100% renewable electricity since 2016 and recycled 97% of its waste since 2021.[14][12]

The brand's products have been Leaping Bunny-approved since 2012, a globally recognised standard for cruelty-free cosmetics and household products.[15] The brand has also committed to sustainable initiatives, including refillable packaging, responsible manufacturing, and reduction of plastic.[16]

Awards[edit]

In February 2013 Molton Brown was awarded the BUAV[17] Leaping Bunny stamp of approval by Cruelty Free International certifying all of the brand's products to be free from animal tests under the international Humane Standards.[18]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Molton Brown Plays a Leading Role in Sustainability". Hospitality Net. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  2. ^ "About Walpole". Walpole. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  3. ^ "Scents and sustainability: The pioneering history of Molton Brown". Good Housekeeping. 2021-03-02. Retrieved 2023-04-15.
  4. ^ Craven, Jo (20 April 2008). "Joan Burstein". Vogue UK. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  5. ^ "Molton Brown History". Molton Brown. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  6. ^ "Caroline Burstein". showstudio.com. SHOWstudio. Retrieved 13 May 2015.
  7. ^ "Molton Brown Celebrates 50 Years of Their Salon With a Limited Edition For the Holidays ~ New Fragrances ~ Fragrantica". www.fragrantica.com. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  8. ^ "Kate Moss' Vintage Molton Brown Shoot". 18 April 2013.
  9. ^ Milton, Tina (2006-12-21). "Molton Brown to part company with British Airways". DFNI. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  10. ^ Marriner, Cosima (15 July 2005). "Japanese Seal £170m Molton Deal". The Guardian.
  11. ^ "Japan's Kao eyes up Molton Brown". BBC News. 2005-07-10. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
  12. ^ a b "The Molton Brown Sustainability Journey". beautymatter.com. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  13. ^ Brown, Molton. "https://www.moltonbrown.com/store/stories/sustainability". www.moltonbrown.com. Retrieved 2023-04-15. {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
  14. ^ "Molton Brown Plays a Leading Role in Sustainability". Hospitality Net. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  15. ^ "Cruelty free international homepage | Cruelty Free International". crueltyfreeinternational.org. Retrieved 2023-01-20.
  16. ^ "The Molton Brown Sustainability Journey". BEAUTYMATTER. 28 June 2021. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  17. ^ "Molton Brown certified by Cruelty Free International". ResponseSource Press Release Wire. Retrieved 2022-12-12.
  18. ^ "Molton Brown Certified By Cruelty Free International And Awarded The Leaping Bunny". BUAV. 4 February 2013. Archived from the original on 25 October 2014.

External links[edit]