A Love Affair with Imperial Leather Soap
The original rich, creamy lather.
The brand name originated in 1768 when Count Grigory Orlov commissioned a perfume from Bayleys of Bond Street in London. The perfume, called 'Eau de Cologne Imperiale Russe', was made from Russian leather, known for its distinctive aroma from birch oil tanning.
In 1938, a version of the original perfume was used to create the soap 'Imperial Leather' by Alexander Tom Cussons, who acquired Bayleys in 1921.
Initially called 'Russian Leather', the soap was renamed 'Imperial Leather'. I think I prefer the word ‘Imperial’.
I dont care what people say, soap bars are sexy and Imperial Leather is one of the loveliest, most comforting little bars to match up with when it’s time to get wet! There are few ways to feel truly clean, and I mean squeaky clean. Is it me, or do many fancy shower gels and creams on the market just not cut it for that immaculately clean feeling? I religiously baptise myself from head to toe in moisturiser once I’m out of the shower, so I don’t mind that tighter sensation on my skin which can sometimes come from soap bars.
The peachy-coloured, sticker inlaid block is currently perched on my shower shelf, and I j’adore it.
The main scent notes are supposed to be woodsy patchouli and precious frankincense. But I’ve also seen mentions of lavender too.
Cussons the absolute cutie, loved and collected rare orchids and tropical fish. These two interests directly influenced early vintage advertising from the 1940s and 1950s.
Even today, Imperial Leather soap bars still feature the glorious gold branded sticker.
But do you know why? And how it happens to last so long without washing down the drain?
It’s supposed to act as a soap stand or plinth of sorts, so water doesn’t get trapped underneath when placed sticker-side down. No one likes soggy soap. It’s truly genius, and very darling.
I found a 2+-year-old Reddit thread about this soap and loved this comment from ErinClaymores
“The soap that rests on its name” literally, meaning leaving it upside down on the label helps it last longer than other soaps”.
Because the sticker makes the bar last longer, this was a major selling point of Imperial Leather when it was advertised after the Second World War, as rationing was still happening for some time.