Iain Watson on the year since David Collins Studio won at the British Luxury Awards 2025

At last year's British Luxury Awards, David Collins Studio took home the trophy for Outstanding Contribution in recognition of the interior design company's 40th anniversary. With mere days to go until the British Luxury Awards 2026 on Monday 9th November, we catch up with the studio's CEO and Co-Founder, Iain Watson, who accepted the honour at the ceremony, to discuss what winning the award meant to him and the successes the business has enjoyed in the year since.

Walpole: What was it like for you personally to accept the Outstanding Achievement award on the night? 

Iain Watson: It was a very exciting and emotionally charged evening. Both Simon Rawlings, David Collins Studio's Chief Creative Officer, and I were delighted to accept the award on behalf of the whole studio, both past and present. 

What did winning the award mean for David Collins Studio? 

Winning the first Outstanding Contribution award was hugely meaningful to all of us. To receive this incredible recognition was the pinnacle of our 40th anniversary year. I couldn’t think of a better celebration of the studio’s relevance and growth over the past four decades. To think how far we have come!

Have you done any activations to mark your win or customer outreach etc?  

We made sure to celebrate the win with the whole studio, as well as share the news across our social media channels and digital marketing to clients, press and partners.

What have been the highlights for David Collins Studio as an organisation since winning the award?

Since winning the award in November 2025, the studio has gone from strength to strength. Our projects have been recognised by both awards and excellent editorial coverage. We launched the new cosmetics hall at Shinsegae department store in Seoul, a client we have long aspired to collaborate with; returned to Delaire Graff Estate in Stellenbosch to update the winery building and spa; and we launched a new furniture collection with long-time collaborators Promemoria at Milan Design Week 2026. Following the success of Tre Dita in Chicago in 2024, we designed two more Chicago F&B projects with Lettuce Entertain You: Crying Tiger and Kitty’s Cosmopolitan Club.

Earlier this year we were able to share a first glimpse of our work at The Ritz London, which we have been working on since 2020 as part of a sensitive, multi-year restoration of this iconic hotel.

What has been your proudest achievement at DCS in the past year? 

To mark our 40th anniversary in 2025, we organised a large celebration at The Lavery in South Kensington.  It was an unforgettable evening, made possible by our extraordinary clients, partners, colleagues and friends who joined us for this milestone, and who make our projects possible. A one-night-only celebration of creativity, legacy, and the future of the studio, that we will remember for years to come.

We also hosted a private preview of the exhibition Convergence, curated by journalist Ellen E. Jones, presented by The David Collins Foundation for London Design Festival.

Can you share an exciting development or partnership for DCS in the year ahead? 

We are excited to continue work with several existing clients, including Lettuce Entertain You, Harrods and Chef Thomas Keller. We are also working on a restaurant project within an iconic building in London. It isn’t in the public domain yet, but it’s particularly fun to work on something on our doorstep.

Where is your trophy displayed? 

We have the trophy, proudly placed in the reception of our Fulham studio for everyone to enjoy.