ORIGINALLY, Jane Comyn and Ruth Watson each dealt in French painted furniture, furnishings and lifestyle products. In 2003 they formed a partnership with the aim of finding luxury products with the philosophy of quality without compromise, sustainable style without complication.
OVER the next 17 years the Branche d’Olive product assortment was carefully curated and evolved into a wide range of luxury home fragrances, elegantly packaged lifestyle accessories and pampering bath/body products. The brand now boasts 200 stockists nationwide including Blenheim Palace, Burford Garden Centre and Raymond Blanc’s Belmond Le Manoir.
FOUR years ago, the decision to reformulate the Olive bath and body range and to move manufacture to the UK was made. The pair worked closely with a Suffolk based family run firm and the range now averages 95.6% naturally derived ingredients whilst retaining its enduringly popular citrus/floral scent. In tandem with the reformulation, a UK manufacturer of recycled plastic bottles was sourced and the range is now bottled in 100% PCR plastic (post consumer recycled) which is itself, together with the caps and pumps, 100% recylable.
AROUND the same time, the idea of rebranding began to take shape and the partnership with the award-winning design agency Planeta Design began. The resulting new logo retains the olive branch icon, synonymous with the brand, whilst capturing a modern, fresh style. After two years’ worth of R&D, with immaculate timing, the introduction of this new, traditional meets contemporary logo, two new websites, new naturally derived formulations and a new visual identity with a renewed focus on sustainability was launched in … March 2020!
THE COMMITMENT to environmental consciousness is evident in every element of the rebrand. Along with the introduction of recycled bottles, all boxing is now UK made using sustainably sourced, World Land Trust carbon balanced paper. Recycled card/paper is gradually being introduced and new soap wraps, to replace cellophane, are being trialled including compostable and anaerobically biodegradable cellulose film. This is proving beset with difficulties, not least the breakdown of the film beginning almost immediately. The trials continue and the search for recycled voile and UK made pierced ware is ongoing. The journey continues.
FOLLOWING lock down, Ruth Watson, with grandparenthood on the horizon, decided to retire but stays very much in touch.
LATEST NEWS the Cloud bath/body range (hand wash, hand/body cream, bath/shower lotion), a delicious combination of blackcurrant, fresh rose and violet enhanced with notes of soft vanilla and sandalwood is now firmly embedded and we now have a new addition. Garrigue, our hero fragrance is now also available in bath/body; a delicious cologne fragrance with top notes of bergamot and citrus around aromatic lavender and thyme on a woody sandalwood base, this range mirrors the Olive and Cloud USPs in having 95.6% average of naturally derived ingredients and being sustainably bottled in 100% UK PCR.
Branche d'Olive co-founder Jane Comyn
Branche d'Olive co-founder Ruth Watson
