Cumbria-based natural and organic skincare company Pure Lakes has launched a brand-new range of products, designed to celebrate the Lake District’s position on the international stage as an official World Heritage site.
Hot on the heels of winning top honours at the prestigious Natural Health International Beauty Awards for its men’s product range, Pure Lakes owners Gareth and Claire McKeever have their sights fixed-firmly on spreading the word about how their products are created ethically and sustainably within the boundaries of the UNESCO-recognised Lake District National Park.
Speaking at their workshop in the village of Staveley, near Windermere, Gareth says, “So much hard work went into ensuring The Lake District was granted World Heritage Status just over two years ago and it’s something we’re really excited to embrace.
“Being based in Cumbria serves as a constant reminder of how fortunate we are to live in such a beautiful part of the world and how it’s our responsibility to look after the natural environment to the best of our ability. We’re proud to say that is exactly what our new World Heritage range represents.”
Created with a selection of fine, natural ingredients including rosewood, black pepper, sweet basil and orange, the new World Heritage range includes hand and body lotion, handwash, and shower gel. Meanwhile, its environmentally-friendly packaging is designed by Cactus Creative in Kendal and is further complemented by unique artwork created by Claire McKeever’s late Grandmother, Patricia “Paddy” Naylor.
Commenting on the stunning watercolour paintings of the view Paddy enjoyed from her former home in Far Sawrey, Claire says, “We really wanted to draw on our personal family heritage when designing this range and feel the striking images we’ve chosen reflect both the beauty of the Lake District, but also the purity of the products perfected by our team.”
Gareth added, “One of our children, Esme, who’s nearly five years old, loves to draw and is already showing signs of having inherited Paddy’s talent. Maybe we already have a future packaging designer on our hands!”
Paddy trained at the Edinburgh School of Art and Heatherly’s in Chelsea, with her commercial work including a book cover for Jonathan Cape Ltd., as well as a range of Christmas and other cards, sold through outlets including Fortnum & Mason and Harrods. Paddy exhibited at The Michael Parkin Gallery in London, the Sandon Studios in Liverpool, Abbot Hall Art Gallery in Kendal and with the Kendal Art Society and for the last 40 years of her life she concentrated on three subjects: Cats, flowers and landscapes – particularly views of Windermere from her home overlooking the lake. Paddy passed away in 2012 and a posthumous retrospective exhibition of her art was held at the Ruskin Museum, Coniston.