Now in its 12th year, Brands of Tomorrow is Walpole’s flagship development programme and supports the success and dynamic growth of the luxury industry through transference of skills, experience and know-how to ensure continued creative development. It creates mutually beneficial relationships between established and up-and-coming luxury brands and individuals, which not only allows the British luxury sector to thrive, but to flourish.
“It’s so exciting to see a diverse range of British luxury entrepreneurs entering the market from sleepwear, travel accessories, bespoke lingerie to handmade knives, gin and luxury shoe and handbag repair. We have taken almost 100 businesses through Brands of Tomorrow, brands now synonymous with the very best in British luxury including Orlebar Brown, Bremont, Emilia Wickstead, FLOWERBX, Astley Clarke and Charlotte Olympia. Through development programmes like Brands of Tomorrow, we enable Walpole and its members to play a vital role in supporting the next generation of talent and also secure the future of the sector by giving brands the help they need to reach the next stage of growth.” Helen Brocklebank, CEO of Walpole
Participants are mentored by some of the UK’s most experienced luxury executives, editors and founders who provide a year of one-to-one coaching; sharing their knowledge and expertise with the chosen brands. This year’s mentors include Alexandra Shulman CBE, Journalist; Alistair Hughes, MD Savoir Beds; Bec Astley-Clarke MBE, Founder, Astley Clarke; Ewan Venters, CEO, Fortnum & Mason; Francois le Troquer, Luxury Consultant; John Ayton MBE, Chairman, Bremont; Martin Bartle, Luxury Consultant; Michael Ward, MD, Harrods; Sarah Elton, Luxury Consultant; Sarah Rotherham, CEO Miller Harris and Toby Bateman, MD, MR PORTER.
The Brands of Tomorrow are also given access to Walpole’s established membership of over 250 of Britain's most prestigious luxury businesses and cultural institutions.
ANNA MASON Anna Mason London sells luxury British womenswear. Its distinct, stylish pieces complement every woman and meet the needs of her life, for both every day and special occasions. Her Made to Order range offers personalisation, fit and a true luxury customer experience through events and appointments, while the Ready to Wear range is sold globally via NET-A-PORTER, selected boutiques and AnnaMasonLondon.com. Anna’s talent and experience lets her create clothes that inspire huge loyalty by her customers. So many delight in ‘the Anna Mason moment’, when they are stopped, told they ‘look amazing’ and asked what they are wearing.
CONKER SPIRIT
Conker Spirit is the poster-boy for the ‘ditch the day job’ start-up story – with founder Rupert Holloway at 29 leaping from a career in construction to launch Dorset’s first gin distillery. Conker’s signature Dorset Dry gin has quickly donned back-bars across the country, establishing itself as a mainstay of the craft gin renaissance. Committed to exciting, innovative spirits, Conker are not ones to follow the crowd; creating the UK’s first Cold Brew Coffee liqueur that is free from the usual flavourings and additives, relying solely on some of the world’s finest forest-grown Grade 1 Speciality coffees. That’s the Spirit.
DESMOND & DEMPSEY
Born from a love of slow mornings, Desmond & Dempsey creates pyjamas that will change your Sundays forever. Founded in 2014 by Joel Jeffery & Molly Goddard, D&D was inspired by the boyfriend shirt and the subtle seductiveness of its oversized fit. Renowned for their unique, bold hand painted prints and luxury cotton, Desmond & Dempsey offer an accessibility that has been lacking at the premium end of the market. Since launching the brand has grown rapidly through their online store and premium wholesale partners including Selfridges, MR PORTER, NET-A-PORTER and Bergdorf Goodman.
FARER
Launched in 2015, Farer watches are inspired by the halcyon era of watchmaking, when bold colours and contrasting textures were combined with the best craftsmanship. Farer is a British designed, direct to consumer luxury watch brand, manufactured in Tavannes Switzerland. Their collection of watches are named after iconic British explorers and vessels that perfectly define the true spirit of Farer: ambition beyond the ordinary. Attention to detail is shown at every level from cases to dials, using all bespoke parts, hand crafted in an array of decorations, colours, finishes and textures, all technically being a huge challenge to achieve.
JENNIFER CHAMANDI
From the finest stitching to the immaculate craftsmanship the Jennifer Chamandi collection pulls from the skills of a family-run master artisan atelier based in Italy. In each stich, there is care and passion. Inspired by “Le talon aiguille” (the ‘needle’ stiletto), the distinctive gold-plated ‘eye’ is carved and inlaid into every heel. The technical prowess required to create this unique punctured heel was recognised with a UK Patent granted on 1st August 2018. Fastened with a removable strap which embraces the foot, Jennifer’s shoes combine absolute comfort with immediately recognisable and distinctive elegance. With unexpected colour palettes inspired by the purity of abstract geometry combined with painstakingly handcrafted quality, Jennifer’s stilettos are truly more than just staples.
LONDON SOCK COMPANY
The London Sock Company is a proudly British sock brand for the modern gentleman. Founded on the belief that socks are the first step towards effortless style, its collections are sophisticated and timeless, using only the finest materials and craftsmanship. It values quality – from its yarns to its packaging; convenience – Sock Club members receive socks delivered through their letterbox monthly; and generosity – its Pull Your Socks Up campaign supports worthwhile causes all year. Whether bold colours, stylish patterns or understated essentials, you can find London Sock Company socks on the ankles of CEOs, celebrities and gentlemen all around the world.
LUNA MAE LONDON
Luna Mae London is a bespoke lingerie specialist celebrating British craftsmanship and the female form. Clients are taken on a highly personalised journey where they are invited for a private consultation and fitting and work with Luna Mae tailors and designers to create their completely unique bespoke garments. With a focus on showcasing the uniqueness of every woman, measurements are taken and drafted into a client’s very own pattern which is exclusively based on their shape and size. All creations are handcrafted by exceptionally skilled seamstress in the Atelier located beneath the Belgravia flagship store.
SABINA SAVAGE
Sabina Savage’s eponymous luxury scarf brand offers heritage inspired elaborate prints on exquisite fabrics. Each illustration is intricately hand drawn by Sabina, sometimes taking up to six weeks for a single design, before being printed onto the finest silk, wool and cashmere. Each collection is based around an imagined story, always featuring Sabina’s wild and exotic fauna. The detailed and multifaceted designs are carefully engineered around the fabric to create a unique print with a signature aesthetic. Each scarf is expertly designed in London then produced to the highest quality and skilfully hand-edged by the renowned artisans of Como, Italy.
SAVERNAKE KNIVES
From a sawmill nestled at the edge of the eponymous forest, Savernake are singularly focused on making the best chef’s knives possible. Fusing a very English heritage of artisanal craft and aerospace-level manufacturing, every blade is designed and created entirely in-house by a team of six. Determined to meld the finest balance of geometry, materials, comfort and aesthetics, Savernake make exquisite knives for discerning professional clients and private individuals alike. From fully bespoke to lightly customised, each knife is tailored to the purchaser’s taste, allowing the wielder to feel poetry in their hand.
STOW
Inspired by intrepid adventurers of yester-year, STOW was founded in 2013 by Carol Lovell with a mission to become the spirited brand of choice for travel goods. STOW coined the term ‘Wander-Luxe’ meaning beautiful, luxurious and practical, in the form of jewellery cases, watch rolls and tech holdalls for travel. STOW offers a wide range of vibrant products in heritage shapes from ladies and men’s jewellery and watch storage to tech sleeves and cases, travel bags and hand luggage. The collections are designed in England and made in Spain, using the best European leather and hardware. STOW has a worldwide base of admirers including Meghan, HRH The Duchess of Sussex. Stockists include Harrods, Fortnum & Mason, and more, recently Goop.
THE RESTORY
Born in response to low-quality mass-market options, brands and retailers who struggle to offer a seamless, comprehensive solution and an over experience that is the very antithesis of luxury, The Restory is transforming the aftercare offering into a lifestyle service. Consumers can either access services directly or through Harvey Nichols in the UK. All items are brought to their atelier where a small army of next-generation artisans set to work restoring items to their former glory. When complete, items are returned beautifully and sustainably packaged and to a place convenient to the consumer. They are rapidly expanding through Europe and have ambitions on a global scale.
WYSE LONDON
Marielle Wyse created Wyse London in 2015 after searching for the perfect cashmere sweater. Her aim was to design an affordable, go-to classic jumper with a signature twist. What started with a few statement pieces has today blossomed into a thriving fashion brand selling over 15,000 units a year and stocked in 16 countries worldwide. For the past two seasons Wyse London has produced exclusive lines for John Lewis and more recently for the Soho House Group. The ultimate in stylish comfort dressing, Wyse London offers a range of colourful cashmere and mohair knits, cardigans, lounge suits and socks, and soft linen t-shirts, all with bright and quirky details that satisfy the fashion crowd, celebrities and style conscious women.
For more information on Brands of Tomorrow, please contact [email protected].
