The Art of the Gentleman's Shave: Introducing Taylor of Old Bond Street
Here at The Gentry, we believe that the details matter. The right shirt, the right shoes - and yes, the right shave. That's why we're genuinely excited to be bringing in a brand that has been perfecting the gentleman's morning ritual since the reign of Queen Victoria.
A Story That Starts in 1854
On the 1st of September 1854, Jeremiah Taylor opened his salon on London's fashionable Bond Street, quickly gaining a reputation in British society for his botanical extracts. From day one, the philosophy was simple: use the purest, most natural ingredients and never compromise on quality. That ethos has never changed.
From the 1930s onwards, the business was run by Sidney Taylor, the founder's son, who made good use of the family's wealth of experience and opened a second store on the no less prestigious Jermyn Street. That store - at 74 Jermyn Street - remains the brand's famous flagship to this day, sitting in the heart of London's most distinguished gentlemen's shopping street, just a short stroll from Buckingham Palace.
The Taylor brand epitomises classic British style and understated elegance, reliability and quality - and it remains a family business to this day.
The Eton Connection
If you need any further proof of the brand's standing, consider this: in the early 1990s, Taylor of Old Bond Street received an honourable request from Eton College, which later became the basis for their celebrated Eton College Collection. The school, which has educated generations of Britain's elite - including Princes William and Harry - lent its name to a signature fragrance: a beautiful masculine scent with dominant citrus lemon notes combined with fruity orange and mandarin, blended with gentle floral notes that rest on a base of warm patchouli.
What Makes It Special
Each product is made using traditional methods and contains high-quality ingredients such as sandalwood, cedar, bergamot and lavender oil. The shaving creams in particular are well-regarded within the wet shaving community for their lathering performance and skin comfort, producing a rich, stable lather when worked with a shaving brush - providing cushion and slickness for razor glide.
The range spans several distinct fragrance collections, each with its own character. By far the most popular scents are Sandalwood, Jermyn Street, Mr Taylor's and Eton College. The iconic Sandalwood - the brand's signature fragrance - opens with citrus notes of lemon, blended with lavender, rosemary and thyme, with a heart of green florals and a base of precious woods, moss, amber and musk. The Jermyn Street collection, meanwhile, delivers a modern fresh fougère fragrance with bergamot, lemon, lime and lavender, supported by a heart of geranium, neroli and amber, resting on a base of musk, patchouli and vanilla - and has been specifically formulated without alcohol for those with sensitive skin.
Now Available at The Gentry
We're proud to be one of the very few stockists in South Africa carrying Taylor of Old Bond Street. Whether you're looking for a shaving cream that transforms your morning routine, an aftershave that doesn't sting, or a cologne that carries 170 years of British craftsmanship in every spritz - you'll find it in store at Ballito Lifestyle Centre, or online at thegentry.co.za.
Some things are worth doing properly. Your shave is one of them.
