Amanda Connock, founder of New Forest based luxury fragrance and skincare company Connock London, talks to Dorset Living

IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAD AN IDYLLIC CHILDHOOD – DID YOU GROW UP IN THE AREA?

I was born in the New Forest and spent my childhood blending fragrances with my brother, using my father’s old samples of perfume to create floral waters in buckets in the garden shed.

YOU MUST HAVE LEARNT A HUGE AMOUNT FROM YOUR PARENTS SETTING UP THEIR OWN BUSINESS – WHAT KIND OF PRODUCTS DID THEY MAKE/SELL? WHY DID THEY DECIDE TO SET UP THEIR OWN COMPANY, AND IS IT STILL RUNNING TODAY?

My parents Alan and Elizabeth Connock set up A&E Connock in 1973 to source and supply speciality ingredients from around the world to the perfumery and cosmetics industry. Still owned and managed by my family today, the company is proudly independent and supports its customers with responsiveness, integrity and a personal touch.

YOU OBVIOUSLY HAD A YEARNING TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE INDUSTRY – WHAT WAS YOUR DEGREE COURSE IN?

I completed a degree in business at University of the West of England and following graduation joined the family business, A&E Connock.

HOW AND WHEN DID THE IDEA COME ABOUT TO CREATE CONNOCK LONDON, AND HOW DOES THIS DIFFER FROM A&E CONNOCK?

I realised there was an opportunity to create a legacy beyond the family business and to develop products using my experience and family heritage in the world of beauty and fragrance. It was from here that Connock London was born in 2010. Connock London develops fragrance and skincare products using special ingredients, whereas A&E Connock supplies the ingredients to the industry.

HOW DID THE “LONDON” PART OF THE NAME COME ABOUT?

I was living in London when I established Connock London and, with Fortnum & Mason being the flagship store for Connock London, London added credibility.

WHAT ARE YOUR AIMS WITH THE COMPANY?

My aim is to have several collections covering different areas of the world and to become a household name in fragrance.

WHAT WAS THE FIRST PRODUCT/RANGE THAT THE COMPANY CREATED?

The Kukui Oil collection will always hold a special place in my heart. The first range for Connock London includes twelve fragrance and skincare products and is derived from the rare and nourishing Kukui Oil, found in the Hawaiian island of Oahu. I discovered this special ingredient when travelling with my family many years ago. This treasured health and beauty secret has outstanding skin-conditioning properties; an excellent emollient, highly penetrating to the skin improving skin suppleness and elasticity. The small supplier in Oahu still producesthe oil in its purest form from centuries ago and is the sole provider to Connock London.

HOW DID THIS EXPAND OVER TIME?

Connock London launched the Andiroba Oil and Manuka Honey Collections in October 2017, including an eau de parfum, candle, diffuser, hand and body wash and a hand and body lotion, as well as a travel collection and gift sets.

DO YOU HAVE A PARTICULAR FAVOURITE PRODUCT/ BEST-SELLER?

The Kukui Oil Hawaiian Sea Salt Scrub and Rich Body Cream are incredibly popular. The Hawaiian Sea Salt Scrub provides the ultimate exfoliation for smooth and radiant skin and the Rich Body Cream leaves skin feeling beautiful and luminous with a delicate scent.

HOW ARE YOU HOPING TO EXPAND THE RANGE IN THE FUTURE – ANY NEW IDEAS FOR PRODUCTS?

Connock London has exciting plansin the pipeline this year, including wider overseas distribution and fantastic collaborations and partnerships. Connock London will be unveiling a fourth collection this June with the Vittaveli Eau de Parfum, inspired by the tropical beauty of the Vittaveli island in the Maldives.

Connock London has also collaborated with British gifting and homeware designer Elizabeth Scarlett to launch the limited-edition Connock London x Elizabeth Scarlett Palmier Collection from May 2018. Connock London is also partnering with renowned Scottish Cashmere Designer Belinda Robertson for a special limited-edition Christmas Collection this year. Including a Hawaiian Sea Salt Scrub and Rich Body Cream to nourish, pamper and prep the bottom to look its best, the collection is complemented with a pair ofsensual and luxurious 100 per cent pure cashmere knickers by Belinda Robertson. The vintage Connock red coloured nickers are detailed with an elegant oversized satin bow on the back – they are divine!

WHERE CAN PEOPLE BUY THE PRODUCTS?

Connock London is available to purchase at over 150 stockists including Fortnum & Mason and connocklondon.com.

IS IT IMPORTANT TO YOU THAT THE COMPANY REMAINS LOCALLY-BASED? DO YOU USE LOCAL INGREDIENTS IN THE PRODUCTS?

Definitely. Connock London launched in 2010 based from the Alderholt Mill House in Hampshire and will be there for many years to come. I am a working mother and feel passionate about balancing product development, marketing and the business with enjoying time with my young family. I always ensure I am home to collect my children from pre-school, bath and bedtime, so remaining local is important.

Each Connock London collection is based on one main ingredient from a different part of the world and everything from the fragrance through to the packaging is inspired by that destination. From the Hawaiian island of Oahu to the Amazonian rainforest and Australian bush, Connock London discovers exotic natural ingredients that are true skincare heroes. The discovery of new ingredients is really important to Connock London, placing importance on the healing properties of products, while continuing to promote local conservation and communities within each region.

W: www.connocklondon.com