THE CONVERSATION
WITH
CHLOË LUXTON
FOUNDER OF BRAMLEY
For over 15 years, Chloë Luxton has been quietly shaping the world of botanical wellbeing through Bramley, the much-loved British bath and body brand rooted in nature, scent and simple everyday ritual.
Created while juggling a busy family life, Bramley began with Chloë’s instinctive belief in the restorative power of botanicals, and the small sensory moments that help us feel calmer, more balanced and more ourselves.
Today, we speak to Chloë about slowing down, the emotional power of scent, the importance of female friendship, and why true wellbeing often begins with placing yourself in the right environment.
WHAT IS IT ABOUT SCENT AND NATURE THAT FEELS SO POWERFUL TO YOU?
I have always believed there is something incredibly powerful about botanicals, and about the emotional connection we have to scent and nature.
Scent can transport you immediately. It can bring back a memory, soften your mood, make you feel grounded or energised. Nature has that same ability. Even a small moment outside can change how you feel in your body.
RETREATS ARE SO OFTEN ABOUT STEPPING AWAY FROM THE EVERYDAY. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TO YOU PERSONALLY?
For me, stepping away from the everyday has always been about space. Space to think, to exhale, to reconnect, and to be with the people who make me feel most myself.
I think retreats are powerful because they give us permission to pause. We are all so used to pushing through, planning ahead and looking after everyone else. Sometimes you need to physically remove yourself from the usual pace of life to realise how much you needed to stop
That is the joy of a retreat, and why I believe The Collective and its retreats offer so much to busy women. I also love that the retreats are designed for women with a passion for business. When you start a business, it’s often those who have already been down the same path who help you find your way. Now, I often find myself in the position where others come to me for advice as Bramley continues to grow and becomes a household name in the UK.
A retreat is not just about what is scheduled. It is about how the whole experience makes you feel and it’s important who is on that journey with you.
CHLOË, WHEN YOU FIRST CREATED BRAMLEY, WELLBEING LOOKED VERY DIFFERENT TO HOW IT DOES NOW. WHAT DID WELLBEING MEAN TO YOU THEN?
When I first created Bramley, wellbeing wasn’t really a “category” in the way it is now. I wasn’t thinking about trends or routines. I just knew how much nature, scent and simple rituals had always helped me feel calmer, more balanced and more myself.
I think I was responding to something instinctive. Life was busy, I had a young family, and like so many women, I was trying to hold lots of things at once. Those small moments of calm became really important to me - stepping outside, breathing in fresh air, washing my hands with something uplifting, noticing how a scent could shift my mood.
It was less about “wellness” as something to achieve, and more about finding little ways to come back to myself throughout the day.
My girlfriends are my saving grace when I need to stop and take a moment.
They have been there in so many ways, from supportive advice to labelling Bramley bottles in the early days, to looking after my children when I couldn’t be in two places at once. There is something incredibly powerful about women coming together.
I think women naturally create space for honesty, warmth and encouragement when the environment allows it. Some of the best conversations happen when we are relaxed enough to be open - sitting around a table, making something with our hands, walking, sharing a glass of wine.
I always leave those moments feeling changed in some small way. Lighter, clearer, more inspired.
YOU SPEAK SO BEAUTIFULLY ABOUT FEMALE FRIENDSHIP. HOW IMPORTANT HAS THAT BEEN IN YOUR LIFE?
THAT FEELS VERY CONNECTED TO THE ENERGY OF A RETREAT - WOMEN COMING TOGETHER, SLOWING DOWN, AND BEING HELD BY THE SPACE AROUND THEM.
Completely. I think the environment really matters. When you are in the right surroundings, something softens. You can breathe a little more deeply. You can listen to yourself in a way that is much harder to do in everyday life.
A retreat is not just about what is scheduled. It is about how the whole experience makes you feel and really important who is on that journey with you.
WHAT DO YOU THINK WOMEN ARE REALLY LOOKING FOR WHEN THEY COME ON RETREAT?
I think people are looking for reconnection.
Not perfection, not complicated routines, not another list of things to do. Just space to remember what it feels like to be rested, nourished, inspired and more present.
More than ever, people are looking for ways to slow down in a way that feels genuine. They want experiences that feel sensory, restorative and real. They want to be looked after for a while.
Some of the most memorable moments of wellbeing happen when we finally step away from everyday life, properly exhale and allow ourselves to be held by an experience.
FINALLY, HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE WELLBEING NOW?
I make a point of creating time for myself during the week. It is not always easy, but I know how important it is.
My weekly pottery class has become a real anchor for me. There is something wonderful about doing something with your hands and letting your mind settle. I also really value time with friends - those easy, open conversations that leave you feeling restored.
For me, wellbeing is often found in those moments. Not in grand gestures, but in creating regular space for yourself and the people who nourish you.
HOW DO YOU PERSONALLY MAKE SPACE TO SLOW DOWN IN YOUR WEEK?
For me, wellbeing is about creating experiences and placing yourself in the right environments.
It is about knowing what helps you feel grounded, connected and more yourself. Sometimes that is nature. Sometimes it is scent. Sometimes it is friendship, creativity, rest, or simply being somewhere that allows you to breathe properly.
I think we can all create small retreats in our lives - moments where we step away from the noise and return to ourselves.
That, to me, is real wellbeing.
Thank you so much, Chloe, for taking the time to speak with us.
We were absolutely delighted to have Bramley as our skincare partner brand in Menorca. Throughout The Chakra Retreat, our guests were able to discover and enjoy Bramley both in the comfort of their bedrooms and within our treatment cabins, where the products were used exclusively for our facial treatments.
It was such a beautiful partnership, and we’re incredibly grateful to have shared Bramley’s thoughtful, luxurious skincare experience with our guests.
The Collective has been kindly given a special retreat code: COLLECTIVEONRETREAT20
www.bramleyproducts.co.uk
TERMS: Online only, 20% off ALL PRODUCTS 2026 - Excluding Bundles, Compostable Refill Pouches, Skincare Pick & Mix, e-Gift Cards, Create Your Own. 1 time purchase, can not be combined with other offers.
THE CONVERSATION-Muses, Inspiration & Reflections
CLAIRE VERO
After building the award-winning skincare brand Aurelia, Claire Vero found herself burnt out and craving space to breathe. A life-changing retreat helped her reset — and inspired her to create The Collective: a series of transformative wellness retreats designed for brilliantly busy women.
SUSANNAH TAYLOR
Since forever, Susannah Taylor has been a guiding and trusted voice in the world of beauty and wellbeing. We absolutely love her soulful newsletter, The Glow Gazette, and her inspiring podcast series, Ways to Feel More Human-a journey into discovering what helps us thrive as human beings. physically, mentally, creatively, socially, and spiritually.
TARA LEE
Meet the exceptional first guest teacher of The Collective—the wonderful Tara. Beyond being an incredible teacher, it’s Tara’s energy and presence that instantly create connection. She has guided hundreds of students over the years, bringing deep care and expertise to every practice.
CLARE RICHARDSON
One of the most respected and sought after names in the fashion industry, Clare Richardson has had a long and successful career as a stylist and tastemaker working with brands such as Hermes, Balenciaga and Calvin Klein.
RHIAN TRUMAN
At The Collective, our retreats are all about pressing pause—reviving the body, rebalancing the mind, and reigniting the soul.
Having recently served as resident facialist at SOHO farmhouse and set to start her next residency at Marbella Club, we are in for a treat as Rhian joins our Menorcan retreat 22nd-25th October.
GABRIELLE ANAND
We asked Gabrielle Anand, a gifted sound practitioner based in Mallorca, to share her insights on sound therapy and the modalities she teaches.
Gabrielle will guide us through deeply intuitive sessions that combine somatic therapy, EFT tapping, quantum healing, meditation, and sound during our Menorcan retreat
