Jo Malone began over twenty years ago when Jo first designed her facial treatment for a select group of clients. She practiced a stimulating massage technique using the most natural resource of all – her hands. Clients appreciated Jo's personal touch and the hand mixed products, tailored specifically for their individual skin. Word of mouth about this extraordinary woman and her personal technique spread quickly and before long there were over 2000 clients vying for the facial appointments and skin care secrets.
For Jo designing fragrance was a natural talent that quickly developed into a passion for mixing unusual combinations of ingredients. The first fragrance designed in this manner was the Nutmeg & Ginger Bath Oil, created as a thank-you gift and given to the original facial clients. One client ordered a further 100 bottles to give as gifts to her party guests and from these 100, 86 guests called to place their own orders. At this point you could say, the Jo Malone brand was born.
News of the Jo Malone products quickly spread amongst the private clients, as demand grew Jo and her husband realised they could no longer cope with production at home. In 1994 the first Jo Malone store was opened at 154 Walton Street London, selling a capsule Skin Care collection, nine personal fragrances and a selection of delicious scented candles. Later, the classic woody fragrance 154 was created in celebration of this Walton Street location.
Beautiful packaging and thoughtful presentation is synonymous with Jo Malone. From the first moment the iconic gift bag with signature bow is received, a sensorial journey begins. On opening, chic cream boxes embraced with ribbon are delicately nestled within soft black tissue. The journey leads to an exquisite Jo Malone jewel, a luxurious crème or lotion, an original cologne or a unique candle, all infused with delicious scents. A Jo Malone gift is the perfect pleasure, a luxurious way to create a lasting memory.
Jo Malone fragrances capture an experience or moment in time. With Lime Basil & Mandarin it was the combination of the scent of fresh-cut limes carried on the sea breeze combined with aromatic basil and zesty mandarin. This unexpected combination of ingredients was not immediately accepted by the traditional fragrance industry but is now regarded as both a ‘cult’ and a modern classic. Transcending culture and generation, this is a scent that’s loved equally by both men and women alike.
After five years at Walton Street it was time to move to a larger location. In 1999 the original philosophies, product collections, in-store experience and first-class service were moved to a new flagship store on Sloane Street. The move was particularly welcomed by those who had, year after year, stood patiently in the Christmas queues at Walton Street and also by those who could now experience the sought-after Jo Malone facial at the Sloane Street treatment room. Customers were encouraged to get hands on and experience fragrance and skin care in a new way. Today the World of Jo Malone™ continues to both challenge convention and educate on the way that fragrance can enhance our everyday lives.