See the shortlist for British Luxury Brand of the Year 2026

The British Luxury Awards 2026, our glittering celebration of the movers, shakers, and culture-makers who have shifted the dial in our sector over the past year, is fast approaching. Taking place at The Dorchester on London's Park Lane on Monday 9th November, the jewel in the crown of an already starry evening is the presentation of our British Luxury Brand of the Year trophy.

Chosen from our shortlist below, the winner of this award will have demonstrated the kind of creativity, innovation, and social and environmental responsibility that is at the core of the UK luxury sector. They will also exemplify the far-reaching appeal a British company can have on the international stage.

There is a reason why this award is our ultimate accolade on the night: the recipient is voted for by each of Walpole's 250+ member organisations.

Last year, this honour was won by English vineyard Gusbourne (you can read more about what the year since winning has been like for the company in our recent interview with the brand's CEO, Jonathon White).

Who will take home the trophy this year? All will be revealed at the British Luxury Awards in November. In the meantime, read more about the five brands in the running for British Luxury Brand of the Year 2026 below...

Thanks to our host The Dorchester, and to our event sponsors Giant Leap Digital, Laurent-Perrier, Mishcon de Reya, and WOLF

Founded in 1784 and still making every garment at its Derbyshire mill, the brand used this pivotal year not to change who it is but to redefine what a 242-year-old British luxury house can be: it secured a second Royal Warrant (adding one for Her Majesty Queen Camilla alongside its existing warrant from His Majesty King Charles III) and launched an acclaimed partnership with iconic actor Bill Nighy, as well as a collaborative collection with one of Britain's most talked-about designers, Grace Wales Bonner.

In a challenging market for luxury, John Smedley returned to profitability and delivered strong international growth, with physical sales up in Italy, Germany and the Netherlands, online growth in Italy, the US and France, and new store openings in Japan. The brand also invested £4mn in manufacturing capability, welcoming a selection of luxury houses to manufacture in Britain alongside it, safeguarding 265 highly skilled jobs and proving that world-class luxury production still thrives in the UK.

Crucial to John Smedley's approach is a conviction that Britain's great luxury brands are responsible for creating the conditions in which the next generation of makers can flourish. Over the past year, it has championed The Great British Wool Revival, launched a British Wool School Uniform Project that took Derby schoolchildren through the entire supply chain from farm to finished garment, secured over £150,000 to establish an internal Leadership Academy, and converted company-owned properties into employee housing. All of this sits on a strengthening sustainability record: lower carbon intensity per garment, more than six million litres of water saved, GOTS-certified materials, PPWR-compliant packaging and zero production waste to landfill.

johnsmedley.com

Established in Somerset in 1971, Mulberry is the UK's largest manufacturer of luxury leather goods and, in 2026, delivered a decisive turnaround by returning to growth in a difficult luxury market – all without compromising its Made to Last commitments.

Central to this was its Back to the Mulberry Spirit strategy, which put craft, heritage and creativity back at the centre of decision-making. A new creative team launched the Roxanne and Boston bag families and evolved the iconic Bayswater bag, while a collaboration with actor Cynthia Erivo, the Tim Walker–shot Rooted in Craft campaign, and a Bayswater cameo in Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy reaffirmed Mulberry's cultural relevance.

Crucially, Mulberry's success is built on Britain. Two Somerset factories produce around half of its iconic bags and sustain skilled rural employment, its Leather Craftsperson apprenticeship celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2026, and the new Mulberry Made with British Pasture Leather initiative supports British farming, tanning and regenerative materials. New wholesale partnerships with John Lewis, Liberty, Flannels and Harvey Nichols have reconnected the brand with UK customers.

Sustainability runs throughout: a certified B Corp and Living Wage employer, Mulberry repaired over 9,200 products last year, expanded its resale exchange to six regions, and sources 100% audited leather. In short, the past year has demonstrated that Mulberry can combine commercial discipline, exceptional craftsmanship, creativity and community to build a stronger, more relevant and enduringly British luxury business.

mulberry.com

Sabina Savage is a London-based fashion and accessories brand where luxury is defined by intricate, uncompromising detail at every stage of creation. From her first pencil stroke through hand-drawing, hand-rolling and hand-fringing, each silk, wool and cashmere piece to emerge from her workshop is the product of months of research, six weeks of drawing, and a rigorous six-month production cycle. This now reaches more than 65 stockists worldwide, including Fortnum & Mason in the UK, Bergdorf Goodman in the US, and Takashimaya in Japan.

Over the past year, the inclusion of Sabina's 'London Bridge is Falling Down' design in The Devil Wears Prada 2 (as worn by Anne Hathaway) created a global ripple effect, earning coverage in Harper's Bazaar, Town & Country and beyond. This sat atop already extraordinary momentum: ecommerce and direct-to-consumer revenue surged, wholesale pre-sales climbed sharply across both scarves and apparel, and a strong repeat-customer rate underlined exceptional brand loyalty. International growth was equally striking, with standout gains across Canada, Japan and the US, alongside new markets, and a five-day New York pop-up.

This has been achieved by a self-funded, female-led team of just six, managing everything in-house without external investment or any compromise on quality, efficiency or culture. As order volumes expand, the brand's growth directly sustains and scales its British manufacturing partners: both 2026 collections were designed and made in the UK and printed using solar energy, and packaged in gift boxes, tissue paper, wax seals and look books entirely produced here in Britain.

sabinasavage.com

Founded in 1860, Sanderson has spent more than 165 years at the forefront of British luxury interiors. In 2026, the brand proved that true longevity is not defined by heritage alone, but by the ability to continually reinterpret it for contemporary audiences. Through compelling storytelling, strategic partnerships and exceptional craftsmanship, Sanderson transformed its archive into a catalyst for commercial growth, international influence and cultural relevance. Guided by its Live Beautiful ESG strategy, Sanderson proves a heritage brand can innovate, inspire and lead.

The year was defined by a landmark royal moment: in May 2026, His Majesty King Charles III toured Voysey House, Sanderson's meticulously restored Chiswick headquarters, viewing the Highgrove collection and witnessing traditional block printing. The visit became Sanderson's highest-performing organic social campaign in two years, reaching millions. Sanderson's influence extended through high-profile collaborations too: a dedicated Highgrove room at Fortnum & Mason, and partnerships with Habitat, John Lewis and Launer London. An ambitious product programme followed, expanding the acclaimed Highgrove by Sanderson collection.

Crucially, Sanderson invests in Britain's future as well as its past. All printed fabrics and wallpapers are designed and made at Anstey in Loughborough and Standfast & Barracks in Lancaster, safeguarding skilled jobs. Through its New Designers sponsorship and the QEST Rising Star Craft Award, Sanderson nurtures the next generation of makers.

Vispring has been handcrafting bespoke mattresses in Britain since 1901. In 1971 its workshop moved to Plymouth in Devon, where 180 craftspeople still make every mattress they produce by hand. 2026 has been a pivotal year in the company's story, marking 125 years since British engineer James Marshall created the first pocket sprung mattress: an act of love for his ailing wife that led to Vispring's creation.

This anniversary coincides with substantial global growth: today, Vispring's luxury beds are stocked in nearly 1,000 stores across 68 countries. This means that the majority of its products are sold overseas, making it the UK's largest bed exporter, something the brand has been twice honoured for with the King's Award for Enterprise in International Trade. This year the brand also launched an acclaimed collaboration with British designer Tom Dixon at Salone del Mobile, uniting two pioneering British icons in a celebration of artistry and design.

Every stage of production remains exactly as it was in 1901, never sub-contracted. Using time-honoured methods of hand-nesting, side stitching and tufting, a single mattress can take up to eight hours to stitch by hand. Vispring is among the last UK makers to produce its own vanadium steel springs on site, filling each bed with the finest natural British wool, horsehair, cotton and silk. That commitment runs deep: the brand steadfastly supports Shetland crofters and the Campaign for Wool, and helped establish the country's first Mattress Manufacturing Apprenticeship.

vispring.com