Molton Brown’s documented history begins in 1971, when Caroline Burstein and Michael Collis opened a hair salon at 58 South Molton Street in London’s Mayfair. The business evolved from hand-mixed botanical haircare into body products in 1979, and its fragrance-led range now covers bath, body and home fragrances. Its identity is associated with London, an individual-first approach and distinctive fragrances made with a diverse group of perfumers. Kao Corporation acquired Molton Brown in 2005 and retained it as a stand-alone brand within its prestige cosmetics division; Kao still identifies it as an acquired brand in a January 2025 update. Molton Brown received a Royal Warrant for supplying toiletries to the royal household in 2012, followed by a warrant from King Charles III in 2024. In fragrance, Orange Grove, introduced in 1984 and now called Orange & Bergamot, is identified as the brand’s first signature scent, while the related Black Peppercorn body wash was instantly best-selling after its 2002 launch. The brand introduced its eau de parfum and eau de toilette collection in 2019.
