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Coty Cosmetics Factory, Brentford, London - 1932

The Golden Mile is a stretch of The Great West Road in Brentford, London, renowned for its Art Deco architecture. On the Golden Mile, you’ll find the former Coty Cosmetics Factory. Originally the façade for a factory complex, French perfume company Coty Cosmetics required British manufacturing facilities in the wake of import duties imposed on cosmetics and toiletries after Britain left the Gold Standard in 1931. Designed by the renowned architectural firm Wallis Gilbert & Partners. It was completed in 1932 and until 1972 manufactured soaps, lipsticks, scents and creams. Just the façade now remains under a Grade II listing status (granted in 1981). It is currently Syon Clinic.

The factory's Art Deco facade has endured the decades elegantly with little modification over the years. It has been well maintained and sensitively restored. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the inside, where just about one stair railing remains of the original fittings.

To preserve the architectural heritage of the factory, I have recreated its original appearance in my illustration. Drawing on historical photography and detailed research, my illustration aims to capture the essence of the building as it stood in 1932. Reinstating iconic features such as the Coty logo on the centre pediment and removing the modern railings, each detail has been considered to evoke the building's original lustre.