Frank Sawkins founded the company "Czech & Speake" in 1978. In addition to elegant bathroom accessories, they also produce "aromatics," which are now considered among the finest the market has to offer. Frank Sawkins studied art at Hornsey College of Art and design at the London College of Furniture. He quickly made a name for himself as an interior designer and, from 1971, worked for many large, internationally renowned companies. Shirley Brody, who started at Penhaligon's in 1977 and joined Czech & Speake in 1979 after receiving her Certificate of Perfumer, was responsible for the "aromatics." Czech & Speake uses exclusively essential oils, resins, and aromatic ingredients—the most valuable available on the global market. Fragrance production has since been relocated to Italy for cost reasons, but this has not detracted from the fragrances' English character. Czech & Speake's fragrances are characterized by a unique and complex character, which may not appeal to everyone, but which are attracting a growing number of enthusiasts. Czech & Speake impressively demonstrates how the art of English fragrance can be reinterpreted in a spirit of tradition.
