Violets mark a milestone
It was with great delight that I attended the 150th anniversary celebration of Tilley Soaps at The Stables of Como, Garden Pavilion in South Yarra.
As always, the grounds of Como House were looking divine, but turning the corner as I passed the Stables Café, the magnificent sight (and fragrance) of stunning violets and other similarly coloured floral arrangements surpassed everything else I had already seen on the grounds.
The people from Tilley had gone all out to make this celebration a monumental event for staff and select members of the media.
Tilley Soaps was established in Melbourne, Australia in 1865 by Arthur Tilley who imported his “modern manufacturing equipment” from France and the UK. Originally based in Surrey Road South Yarra, the company specialised in traditional hot process medical, nursery and toilet soaps. Sold and delivered from a customized horse and carriage that serviced metropolitan Melbourne.
Today, just under 150 years on, Tilley Soaps is one of Australasia’s finest producers of high quality soaps and cosmetics for both the local and international market place.
Based in Bayswater 28 km east of Melbourne’s CBD, Tilley’s main business is contract manufacturing private label products for retail chains, boutique brands and leading international gift wholesalers.
Their diverse product capability includes; soy, palm and paraffin perfumed candles; premium gift soaps and rough cut vegetable soaps; personal care lotions; skin care cream; body washes and cosmetics. They also have a dedicated production facility that is certified organic.
Production line manufacturing is a specialty at Tilley’s and the team has the expertise and experience to deliver to specification, exceptional quality at a competitive price from R & D thru to packaging production.
Tilley marked the celebration with the launch of their new Violet collection and use VIOLET as the theme for the day.
We started sipping delightfully potent violet flavoured gin fizzes while canapes were handed around. Once seated at long tables and surrounded by beautiful floral arrangements, we listened to heartfelt speeches before partaking of our delicious two course meal.
After dining we were given the opportunity to press our own Tilley soap in the antique press and were later presented with Tilley gift packs from the new Violet range.
Congratulations on this milestone in the history of Tilley Soaps – I look forward to having my home fragranced with beautiful Tilley products as I have marked your website in my favourites for online shopping.
Words – Carol Sheridan
Photos – Darren House
