Austin Austin
All-natural cosmetics and body products are all the rage these days, but for the father-daughter duo behind the vegan and organic label Austin Austin, their recent venture is just another step in continuing the family’s legacy of supporting organic living. Hailing from Norfolk, England, Richard Austin has been a frontrunner in the country’s organic food movement since the 1970s. The founder of Rainbow Wholefoods, an organic and natural food store that’s considered a stalwart in the East Anglia region, and Kingfisher Natural Toothpaste, Richard is a forerunner in the first wave of the England’s organic movement, so it’s only natural that his daughter Bessie was raised understanding the importance of high quality, natural ingredients.
Packaging illustration series by Christian Newby
Together, Richard and Bessie have designed Austin Austin as a succinct, six-piece collection of unisex skincare and haircare products that look a far cry from the crunchy, earthy aesthetic that the elder Austin might have been more accustomed to. Bessie, who studied art at Central Saint Martins college and then interior design at the Chelsea College of Art in London, commissioned the artist, Christian Newby, to create the painterly ink drawings for the range’s debut edition of labels. These are set to change and will ultimately feature works by other young artists they admire, turning the humble shampoo bottle into a platform for showcasing emerging art.
Good looks aside, the contents packaged within each Austin Austin bottle is just as delectable. Elegantly scented with notes of neroli, pettigrain, palmarosa and vetiver, the all-natural formulations are also silicone, paraben, mineral oil and SLS-free. There are also no artificial colours or fragrances. The label proudly carries the highly vetted Soil Association certified organic stamp of approval, and is manufactured in small batches in a Norfolk farmhouse, not far from where the Austin family home is. Packaged from 100% recycled material, including boxes made from FSC accredited sustainably managed forests, the line is a beauty both inside and out.
Writer: Pei-Ru Keh
Portrait photography: Genevieve Lutkin
austinaustinorganic.com
