As sit in my living room wrapped in a blanket trying to stay cozy in an unseasonably cold June afternoon in London – I’ve been thinking of the journey Mella 1809 has been on. It has been an incredible five months since we launched – having received overwhelmingly positive feedback from both customers and journal publications.
I have also been reflecting on the raison d’etre of the brand. And by that I don’t mean the purpose of the brand, but the number of reasons that led to the creation of Mella 1809.
It was an idea that was incubated over the years as I drew inspiration from my family’s two hundred years of heritage across business, politics and art. I found particular inspiration from my great-grandfather’s stories about the early days of his business importing goods into the Dominican Republic – and his memories about growing up in a household where everything smelt of lavender. Apparently a family signature.
Shaped by our history but unbound to it
A lot of the family’s history has been lost to time. What we do know is that one fateful evening in February 1844, my great-great-great grandfather (or so I presume) fired a fateful shot from a blunderbuss, that would lead to the birth of a nation.
I’d like to think that he waited anxiously with a cadre of military fellows for the night to come. And all he could think of is the home life he’d left behind, missing the likely scent of lavender that his mother and wife would use to launder his clothes. But also the promise of a nation and complete freedom.
That memory likely hails from the family’s original business – which was founded in 1809 (and hence the reference in our brand). Where they focussed on purveying fine quality goods from Europe – being well know (or so my great-grandfather would tell me) for their lavender oils and soaps.
And it’s that incredible feeling of opportunity, of family, and of being grounded in a specific moment in time that I wanted to recreate with Mella 1809. Which is why we’ve been incredibly meticulous in the whole process of branding, formulation and customer experience. Something I would like my great-grandfather and great-great-great-grandfather to be proud of.
What does 1809 mean to us?
The ‘1809’ is a symbol our commitment to quality and of our heritage – that the Mella name has endured for over two hundred years and will continue to do so (hopefully) for another two centuries.
You wouldn’t invite a stranger to your home. And you shouldn’t invite brands without the knowhow and care of craftsmanship to care and protect for the most important investments you’re ever making in your life: your home, your family and your properties.
Choose the standard of care that you would expect for your home carefully.
Love
J
