Alice Barrow with Tom and James Malcolm-Green
Wick & Tallow was founded in the autumn of 2011 and launched its first range of scented candles two years later. Co-founders and twin brothers Tom and James Malcolm-Green grew up in the shadow of Chanctonbury Ring in Wiston near Steyning, while their third co-founder Alice Barrow was brought up in both London and Dorset. These days they split their time between Wiston, Pulborough and London, where the office is based.
“Candles and fragrances have actually been a large part of our lives from nearly as far back as we can remember,” says Tom. Growing up, Tom and James’ mother had gift shops in Steyning and Chichester that sold home fragrance products, and their parents ran an import company supplying candles, bubble baths and soaps to retailers like Fortnum & Mason, Selfridges and Harvey Nichols.
When James and his girlfriend Alice first lived together, the kitchen would turn into a mini candle factory to make stock that Alice sold at Portobello market. After Tom returned from living abroad, it wasn’t long before the three of them were sharing the task of making the candles and manning the market stall as demand soared. “It seemed sensible to take the business to the next level,” says Tom, “and use our knowledge to create a brand from scratch that offered something a little different and daring to the existing luxury market.”
And the business got off to an auspicious start: “The Duke of York was one of our first customers! We were asked to take part in a PopUp shop on London’s Piccadilly in the run up to Christmas, and he ended up coming down as it is in one of the buildings that make up part of the Crown Estate.”
In terms of where the candles are made, it all started in the kitchen at home. “It was our make-shift factory at home in Sussex, but we have now found a factory that can produce them for us. They’re still hand poured in Sussex though, and for us that is really important.” While Wick & Tallow is still very much in its infancy, there will be a couple of new additions to their range this year, including reed diffusers, as well as some new candles.
The candles are stocked in a handful of shops up and down the country including The Shop at Bluebird on the King’s Road in London, and the website also showcases the full range. The company offers next day delivery on all products.
For more information or to order call 020 3286 3940 or go to www.wickandtallow.com
