Ernst Haeckel was a 19th-century zoologist and accomplished illustrator.
He was also a proponent of scientific racism, social Darwinism, and eugenics. Though the Nazis would officially ban Haeckel’s work, his thoughts on race would go on to inspire a lot of prevalent ideas of the regime.
None of Haeckel’s racism was known to Dom Bridges when he started his beauty brand. Dom came to know Haeckel’s illustration work in art college, and when he founded his brand, he felt the name was fitting as he thought the zoologist captured the beauty of sea life. However, as Dom’s company grew, folks pointed out Haeckel’s hate-inspiring notions, and the brand realized that it could no longer bear the name of a racist scientist. Now, the UK-based company has announced that it will go by “formerly known as Haeckels” temporarily for a year until it undergoes a more formal rebranding, which will include input from the brand’s community.
