The British Luxury Industry Reveals the Seven New Stars Set to Transform the Luxury Sector

Each year Walpole identifies between six and eight British luxury brands that we feel have the potential to become tomorrow’s stars.  These brands are given the opportunity to utilise the expertise of the Walpole mentoring group, through a bespoke mentoring and coaching programme. This unique programme, sponsored by Mishcon de Reya helps the brands input the necessary infrastructure and luxury disciplines to fulfil their potential and go on to become global leaders in their fields. The 2010 Brands of Tomorrow are:

  

·         Abahna – the luxury, British-made bath, body and home fragrance brand – sold in more than 20 countries around the world. 

 

·         Basso & Brooke – the pioneers of digital print process in fashion – one of the first British designers to dress Michelle Obama. 

 

·         Charlotte Olympia – exclusive shoe and accessories designer with clients that include: Sarah Jessica Parker, Sienna Miller and Beyonce. 

 

·         Josephine Home – providers of the finest linen used in homes and hotels throughout the world.

 

·         Mawi – jewellery house which cleverly combines contemporary style with traditional influences.

 

·         Rococo Chocolates – the luxury chocolate brand – one of the first houses to convey the joys of chocolate to the British public.  Sarah Brown chose a box of the chocolates to give all World leaders at the G20 summit last year.

 

·         Wolf & Badger – unique lifestyle brand which helps promote exciting and independent talent – showcasing the best emerging new generation fashion and design companies. 

  

The ‘Brands of Tomorrow’ programme sponsored by Mishcon de Reya was launched in 2007 by Walpole and is chaired by John Ayton, co-founder & former owner of Links of London.  Although John is now an established player in the world of luxury goods he founded Links of London with his wife in 1990 with £2000 of his own savings and no knowledge of the jewellery industry. They subsequently built sales to over £50 million before selling the company to Follie Folli SA in late 2006. John is currently the chairman of Bremont Watch Company and has recently launched Jewellery Brand Annoushka.

 

Aside from John, the Walpole mentoring group comprises some of the UK’s most experienced luxury entrepreneurs and commentators, including the jewellery designer Annoushka Ducas, Lucia Van Der Post, luxury commentator, Sarah Elton, former MD of Smythson, Mark Esiri, Michael Ward, MD of Harrods, Demetra Pinsent, strategist at McKinsey, Guy Salter, Deputy Chairman of Walpole and James Henderson, Managing Director of Pelham Bell Pottinger. 

 

 John Ayton, Founder & Chairman of Walpole Brands of Tomorrow commented “Walpole believes strongly in nurturing talent.  We need to help foster the great tradition of British luxury brands to ensure that the British luxury industry continues to remains as strong as it has been for the past 200 years”   J

ulia Carrick – CEO of Walpole commented: “Our Brands of Tomorrow programme goes from strength to strength and since its launch in 2007 we are delighted with the number of young, talented brands Walpole has identified and developed.  This is a direct result of the skill and vision of our mentors who work tirelessly to help these brands through all stages of their development.”