Bentley, Chatsworth, Farfetch, Glenmorangie, Gucci, Jaguar Land Rover, Johnstons of Elgin, Kingsman & MR PORTER and MATCHESFASHION.COM accepted awards at the 16th annual Walpole British Luxury Awards at The Dorchester, Mayfair, which was hosted by the Oscar, Tony and BAFTA award-winning actress Catherine Zeta-Jones, CBE.
Since its inception in 2001, the Walpole British Luxury Awards has brought together CEOs and creatives from Britain’s longstanding and emerging luxury companies to celebrate the success of the exceptional brands, experiences and individuals that make British luxury the world leader it is today. Currently in its 25th year, Walpole promotes, protects and develops the unique qualities of UK luxury through its mentoring programmes, events, research and public affairs with the British government and in Europe.
Walpole’s CEO, Helen Brocklebank said: “It’s never been more important to recognise the towering contribution British luxury makes to the UK. The brands and individuals we celebrate tonight add to the cultural and economic richness of the British Isles through regional job creation; the simultaneous preservation of, and innovation in, making and manufacturing skills; a strong focus on export and, of course, their overriding creativity, artistry and passion.”
Recognising Walpole’s 10-year long commitment to nurturing the next generation of British luxury brands, the Brands of Tomorrow Award for Emerging Talent was presented to Aurelia Probiotic Skincare, House of Hackney, Seedlip and Tom Raffield - all of which were identified by the judging panel as new British brands with the potential for success on a global scale.
Author, fashion writer and Editor-in-Chief of Harper’s Bazaar and Town & Country, Justine Picardie was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award as Harper’s celebrates its 150th birthday and Imran Amed, MBE was awarded the Leader in Luxury for his advocacy of British fashion and luxury though the industry-leading Business of Fashion, of which he is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief. The visionary designer, craftsman and furniture maker, Mark Wilkinson OBE, was posthumously awarded the Walpole Honour.
Catherine Zeta-Jones, wearing a stunning Temperley London dress and with make-up by artist Charlotte Tilbury, hosted the ceremony. Over 350 guests began the evening with a Laurent-Perrier champagne reception, in association with New West End Company and the night was capped off with the Dovetail Agency Cocktail Club afterparty, which included Glenmorangie, Gin Hub and The Lakes Distillery cocktails, and styling by House of Hackney and FBC London.
Winners were selected by an expert panel of judges from the luxury industry led by Michael Ward, MD of Harrods and Walpole’s Chairman; Gillian de Bono, Editor of FT How to Spend It; Hannah Rothschild, Chair of The National Gallery’s Board of Trustees; Stefan Sielaff, Design Director at Bentley; Marcus Wareing, Chef Patron of two-Michelin starred Marcus; Henrietta Jowitt, Deputy Director General, CBI; and Tim Delaney, Chairman of Leagas Delaney.
BRITISH LUXURY BRAND OF THE YEAR, IN ASSOCIATION WITH LAURENT-PERRIER
MATCHESFASHION.COM
CULTURAL EXPERIENCE, IN ASSOCIATION WITH LONDON ADVERTISING
Chatsworth
LUXURY MAKER OF THE YEAR, IN ASSOCIATION WITH DAVID COLLINS STUDIO
Bentley
LUXURY WITH A HEART, IN ASSOCIATION WITH G.F. SMITH
Glenmorangie
COMMITMENT TO BRITISH MANUFACTURING, IN ASSOCIATION WITH CHAPEL DOWN
Johnstons of Elgin
EXPORT EXCELLENCE, IN ASSOCIATION WITH REED & MACKAY
Jaguar Land Rover
DIGITAL, IN ASSOCIATION WITH WEARISMA
Farfetch
INNOVATION & CREATIVITY, IN ASSOCIATION WITH MY LOVE AFFAIR
Kingsman + MR PORTER
INTERNATIONAL LUXURY BRAND OF THE YEAR, IN ASSOCIATION WITH TIMES LUXX AND SUNDAY TIMES STYLE
Gucci
LEADER IN LUXURY, IN ASSOCIATION WITH THOUGHTWORKS
Imran Amed
THE BRANDS OF TOMORROW AWARD FOR EMERGING TALENT, IN ASSOCIATION WITH MISHCON DE REYA
Aurelia Probiotic Skincare, House of Hackney, Seedlip, Tom Raffield
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT, IN ASSOCIATION WITH ELITE ASSOCIATES
Justine Picardie
THE WALPOLE HONOUR
Mark Wilkinson, OBE
Many thanks to all our guests, sponsors and partners for making the evening possible.