Tyler Brooks
Jonathan Ward is a British candle and perfume maker based in Hackney, London. He founded his eponymous candle brand 13 years after returning to the UK from a successful career in fashion in New York. Ward's candles are unique in their scent, aesthetic, and clean burn, and the brand is committed to sustainability and environmentally sound manufacturing processes. The candles are hand-poured using organic waxes and essential oils, with each fragrance created by a team of European perfumers in London and Athens. With issues such as environmental impact, sustainability, and performance at the forefront of every creation, the Jonathan Ward collection has gained a reputation for quality and originality.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Founder | Jonathan Ward |
| Brand Name | Jonathan Ward London |
| Brand Concept | Dissipate the 'smoke and mirrors' of the candle world |
| Raw Materials | Crystal quality glass, beeswax, high-grade soy, aromas crafted from high-grade ingredients |
| Fragrance | Unique, literary and mythological inspirations |
| Scent | Clean burning, no paraffin or pollutants |
| Product Range | Candles, diffusers, home sprays |
| Manufacturing Process | Hand-made, hand-poured, clean, sustainable, environmentally sound |
| Product Life | Long burn time due to "continuous burn" technique |
| Packaging | Simple, strong, complex design and texture, high-quality paper |
| Reuse | Glass tumblers can be reused after the candle has burnt |
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What You'll Learn
Jonathan Ward's background and journey
Jonathan Ward is a British candle and perfume maker based in Hackney, London. With a unique talent for translating a place, a story, or a feeling into a fragrance, Ward's candles stand out for their aesthetic and clean burn.
Ward started Jonathan Ward London (JWL) in a challenging economic climate, in an already crowded marketplace. Despite the odds, he pushed forward, and his reputation and customer base grew. However, he faced difficulties getting major retailers on board. While establishing JWL in the UK, Ward worked at a restaurant in Kensington, where he met a couple who encouraged him to pursue his passion for candle-making.
Prior to starting JWL, Ward worked in the fashion industry in New York. He graduated from Kingston University's BA fashion course and was offered a job in New York at a boutique firm with a high starting salary. After returning to the UK 13 years ago, he founded his candle brand, which has since become one of the best in the market.
Ward's candles are hand-made in Italy and are designed to be reused after the wax is exhausted. The glasses that house the candles are Italian glass tumblers that can be reused as drinkware. Ward is committed to sustainable and environmentally sound manufacturing processes, using organic waxes, essential oils, and natural ingredients. His candles are known to be free of paraffin and other pollutants commonly found in high-end candles.
Ward's fragrances are created by a team of European perfumers in London and Athens, with every element of the process done by hand. His unique scents have gained him a loyal following, with customers praising the complexity and sophistication of his fragrances.
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Jonathan Ward's unique selling points
Jonathan Ward's candles stand out in a crowded market through their unique selling points. Firstly, the candles are hand-made in Italy, with a commitment to sustainability and reuse. The glass tumblers that house the candles can be repurposed as drinkware, and the packaging is thoughtfully designed with a rich colour palette, embossed monogram, and Deco-style fragrance signatures.
Secondly, the candles are hand-poured using a blend of organic coconut oil, English beeswax, and vegetable wax, certified by the Soil Association. This blend ensures a clean burn, with no black smudges on the glass, and no paraffin or other pollutants. Ward has also pioneered a "continuous burn" technique, allowing his candles to burn safely for extended periods, with a total burn time of 40-45 hours.
Thirdly, Ward's unique talent lies in translating places, stories, and feelings into fragrances. His scented candles are described as "powerhouse scents with a narrative", taking inspiration from literary and mythological sources, creating "scented spaces into which we can escape". The fragrances are crafted from the highest grade of ingredients, with each candle offering a unique and complex olfactory experience akin to a miniature novel.
Finally, Jonathan Ward's brand and creative process are also unique. He started his candle business in a challenging economic climate, driven by determination and a passion for creating an authentic luxury experience. Ward's commitment to transparency and sustainability, along with his fashion background, sets him apart from other candle brands.
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Jonathan Ward's candle-making process
Step 1: Sourcing Raw Materials
Jonathan Ward sources only the finest and purest ingredients for his candles. His propriety wax blend is a combination of organic coconut oil, vegetable wax, and beeswax. The beeswax is foraged and discarded, ensuring a sustainable and ethical approach. He also uses essential oils and high-quality synthetic ingredients to create complex and unique fragrances.
Step 2: Hand-Pouring the Candles
Each Jonathan Ward candle is hand-poured with precision and care. The wax blend is carefully melted and poured into fluted crystal double Old-Fashioned whisky tumblers, crafted by the renowned Italian glass producer, Luigi Bormioli. The glasses are chosen not just for their beauty but also for their reusability, aligning with Ward's commitment to creating "truly reusable" homeware.
Step 3: Wicking Technique
Jonathan Ward has developed a unique wicking technique called "continuous burn." The double cotton wicks are dipped into the wax and left to set in place, ensuring a cleaner and even burn. This technique allows his candles to burn safely for extended periods, with a total burn time of 40-45 hours—a feature that sets his candles apart from many high-end brands.
Step 4: Quality Control and Packaging
Quality control is of utmost importance to Jonathan Ward. Each candle is meticulously inspected to ensure it meets the highest standards. The candles are then packaged in distinctive boxes with a rich, dark palette and Art Deco style. The boxes are designed by Jonathan himself and manufactured using GF Smith papers and pre-flooded eco-ink. They are hand-printed on an original 1966 lithographic press by a UK firm, reflecting Ward's attention to detail and commitment to sustainability.
Step 5: Fragrance Creation
Jonathan Ward has a unique talent for translating places, stories, and feelings into fragrances. He designs each exclusive fragrance in the UK, meticulously sourcing ingredients from ethical producers worldwide. His fragrances are complex blends of raw materials and high-quality synthetics, crafted by a team of European perfumers in London and Athens.
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Jonathan Ward's commitment to sustainability
Jonathan Ward is a British candle and perfume maker known for his passion, commitment, and exceptional consideration of all elements of his craft. His eponymous candle brand is one of the best in the market, with a unique focus on sustainability and environmentally sound manufacturing processes.
In addition to his focus on repurposing, Jonathan Ward prioritises the use of sustainable materials and ingredients in his candles. His candles are hand-poured using a blend of organic coconut oil, organic English beeswax, and organic vegetable wax, certified by the Soil Association. This blend ensures a clean burn, free from pollutants and paraffin, resulting in a healthier and more environmentally friendly product. Ward is one of the founders in the promotion of natural waxes, and his wicks are attached using an artisan technique that does not involve glue or resin.
Furthermore, Jonathan Ward is committed to transparency and clean-burning products. He has been advocating for clean-burning candles for over a decade, prioritising natural waxes and essential oils over chemical alternatives. This transparency extends to his packaging, with labels made on a British 1966 lithographic press using high-quality GF Smith papers.
The company is also developing a unique technique called "continuous burn," which extends the burning time of their candles, further reducing waste and enhancing the sustainability of their products.
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Reviews of Jonathan Ward's candles
Jonathan Ward's candles have received rave reviews from customers and critics alike. His candles are described as inimitable, affordable excellence, with a focus on sustainability and environmental impact. Each candle is hand-poured using organic coconut oil, organic English beeswax, and organic vegetable wax, housed in a fluted crystal double Old-Fashioned whisky tumbler that can be repurposed after use.
One reviewer from Eye of the Beholder writes that they have been burning two Jonathan Ward candles, Mistigris and Fig Ultimatum, at home and had the opportunity to witness the manufacturing process. They praise the brand for its confidence in inviting them to see the "inside", allowing them to gain a deeper understanding and heightened appreciation for the candles. The reviewer also highlights the clean burn of the candles, free from paraffin and other harmful substances, and the unique scents crafted from high-grade ingredients.
Another reviewer from Volt Café shares their experience of spending an afternoon at Jonathan Ward's artisan candle factory in London, describing it as "scent-infused and very heady". They commend Jonathan Ward as a "lovely man" who creates "beautiful and genuine products".
Customers have also praised Jonathan Ward's candles for their unique scents and aesthetic appeal. One customer writes that they usually obtain one candle from each brand but make an exception for Jonathan Ward due to the exceptional quality and originality of his products. They appreciate the brand's commitment to sustainability and recommend the Assassin Belarus candle.
The Beauty Bible also featured Jonathan Ward's candle collection as their "Fab Find of the Week", highlighting the brand's focus on creating pollution-free candles that address concerns about indoor pollution and the potential impact on health.
Overall, Jonathan Ward's candles are lauded for their exquisite fragrances, sustainable practices, and elegant design, offering a luxurious and memorable experience.
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Frequently asked questions
While there is no explicit statement on whether Jonathan Ward candles are vegan, the company does address the issue of veganism in its candles. In an interview, Ward expressed his opinion on the use of the term "vegan" in candle marketing. He pointed out that soybean production, a common vegan alternative to animal-based waxes, contributes to rainforest deforestation and endangers animal habitats.
Jonathan Ward candles stand out for their unique scents, aesthetic, and clean burn. Each candle is handcrafted with a blend of organic coconut oil, organic English beeswax, and organic vegetable wax, ensuring a natural and sustainable product. The candles are known for their sophisticated fragrances, inspired by literature and mythology, creating a memorable olfactory experience.
Jonathan Ward candles can be purchased through the official Jonathan Ward website and select retailers. The website offers a range of candles, diffusers, and home sprays, allowing customers to explore different fragrances and collections.
