Brands of Tomorrow

Here's to the Walpole Brands of Tomorrow Class of '23

As we prepare to reveal the emerging British luxury brands selected for this year's Brands of Tomorrow programme at The Ned next Monday night, we ask the graduating Class of '23 what their highlights were over the past twelve months
19th Feb 2024
Brands of Tomorrow Here's to the Walpole Brands of Tomorrow Class of '23

Founded in 2007, the Walpole Brands of Tomorrow mentorship programme has helped develop over 150 emerging luxury brands – and, on Monday 26th February, twelve more will join their ranks as we reveal the next wave of companies selected to be part of the Class of '24 at our launch party at The Ned in London. However, before that time comes, we wanted to pay tribute to the exceptional businesses who are preparing to leave our 2023 programme.

From paint with unique, all-natural pigments to grooming crafted with vertically-farmed ingredients, discover the highlights of the past twelve months from each of our graduating Brands of Tomorrow 2023 and re-live our Instagram Live interviews with the founders to learn more about each marque below.

(Pictured above: the Navygrey team at the Walpole Brands of Tomorrow 2023 launch party)

 
 
 
 

Goldfinger

"Being introduced to the brightest minds in finance and people who have a lot of experience with cash-flow has been invaluable when thinking about future partnerships and investment raise." – Leslie Feeney, Head of Design Partnerships

Goldfinger is an award-winning social enterprise venture, designing timeless furniture and homeware from locally-sourced and reclaimed materials. On display at some of the UK’s leading names in retail and hospitality (including Selfridges, Soho Home and Gail’s), Goldfinger’s artisans often craft bespoke furniture in collaboration with celebrated interior designers. Its profits are reinvested into the Goldfinger Academy’s woodworking courses, career guidance programmes and craft classes, and free monthly community meal, the People’s Kitchen.

goldfinger.design

 
 
 
 
 
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Navygrey

"The Brands of Tomorrow programme has opened up doors for us at such a critical stage of our growth. This programme has increased our confidence, ambition and network – and we will be forever grateful." – Rachel Carvell-Spedding, Founder & CEO

You know that feeling of warmth and comfort you get when you pull on your favourite jumper? Navygrey takes the time to create items that bring that feeling back. Inspired by a 25-year-old navy wool jumper owned by the founder’s mother, Navygrey creates luxurious British knitwear that makes you both feel good and look good. Underpinned by the timeless palette of navy and grey. Natural, sustainable, traceable and increasingly regenerative - crafted in partnership with innovative British farms, mills and factories. 

navygrey.co

 
 
 
 
 
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Difference Coffee

"My mentor has been really beneficial to our brand’s journey. I'm immensely grateful for that, and we are now working on some interesting projects together after the programme has ended." – Amir Gehl, Founder

Difference Coffee represents a collection of the very highest-graded coffees, rare and limited reserve beans, sourced from the world’s most prestigious coffee estates. Presented in recyclable, Nespresso-compatible capsules, only ethically and sustainably sourced 100% Arabica speciality coffee is roasted. Difference Coffee is the leading British coffee brand amongst luxury hospitality and Michelin-starred restaurants in the UK, and is currently increasing its market share in Italy and internationally.

differencecoffee.com

 
 
 
 
 
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Makers Cabinet

"The mentoring we have received has been really helpful in speeding up decision-making in certain areas. Having a support network where you can come and ask for advice has been super helpful." – Odin Emil Ardagh, Managing Director

Makers Cabinet was established in 2017 by Central Saint Martins graduates Odin Ardagh and Noah Bier. Launched and funded with a Kickstarter campaign for a unique pencil sharpener, the brand has developed a range of innovative, crafted tools for creators, gaining an international customer base of architects, designers, artists and stationery aficionados. Now stocked in over fifty retailers worldwide, the company plans to expand into new industries with products designed in line with the circular economy, and made in the UK.

makerscabinet.com

 
 
 
 
 
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Edward Bulmer Natural Paint

"The calibre of the advice we got access to on the Brands of Tomorrow programme is way beyond what we could afford if we had to pay for it at this stage of our development." – Edward Bulmer, Founder

Edward Bulmer has a vision to create a natural paint that does not cost the Earth, while protecting both people and planet. Edward has poured over 30 years of design experience, plus innovative gentle chemistry, into every tin in his mission to clean up the paint industry. The company is unique in using plant-based ingredients (including a ground-breaking bio-based binder) and it is the only paint company to use natural earth and mineral pigments to create its stunning colours.

edwardbulmerpaint.co.uk

 
 
 
 
 
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Roxanne First

"The Brands of Tomorrow programme provides a platform for brands to engage with and learn from a select group of remarkable brands that share a similar stage of growth and scale. Both the seminars and speakers featured on the programme were not only inspiring, but also served as a source of motivation." – Roxanne First, Founder

Founded in 2018 and referred to by the Financial Times as ‘dopamine-inducing’ jewellery, Roxanne First’s fine jewellery is designed for everyday wear and timeless cool. The studio’s pieces are crafted using ethically sourced solid gold, diamonds, multi-coloured sapphires and semiprecious stones. Roxanne inherited her passion from her Italian family’s love of jewellery and today her eponymous collection includes everything from a classic diamond hoop to beautiful bespoke jewellery in rainbow hues.

roxannefirst.com

 
 
 
 
 
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MONPURE

"It's been great meeting like-minded professionals and entrepreneurs that are in similar situations who are all looking to overcome similar challenges to us as part of their business growth." – Nate Bigger, Founder & CEO

The world’s first scalp and hair health brand dedicated to treating scalp discomfort and irritation, preventing hair thinning and promoting strong hair, MONPURE has earned more than 45 industry awards since it was founded in 2020. MONPURE’s scientifically proven formulas utilise potent active ingredients such as Retinol, Vegan Silk Peptides, AHAs, BHAs and Vitamin C to create the optimum environment for hair to grow by rebalancing the scalp, clearing blocked follicles, and strengthening and rebuilding strands at the root.

monpure.com

 
 
 
 
 
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AKT London

“Being able to bounce ideas off like-minded people who were in the same position as us was invaluable.” – Andy Coxon, Co-Founder

After years of not being able to find a deodorant that could withstand the rigours of their 8-day-a-week West End careers, actors Ed Currie and Andy Coxon set about creating one that could. The result was AKT London (pronounced “act”). Made in the UK with 100% plastic-free packaging, this natural deodorant’s blend of active botanicals and Deo-Barrier Complex™ leaves you dry and fresh all day long. Tested on over 1000 dancers since 2015, AKT is born to perform.

aktlondon.com

 
 
 
 
 
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Holmes Bespoke

"I think the brands on the 2023 programme are going to be a really successful group. We're all there for each other as well – we have a WhatsApp group where we share advice. I think we’ve really learnt from each other." – Layla Holmes, Founder

Founded by Laylah Holmes with the aim to provide a fresh, unique and personal approach to custom-made interiors, Holmes Bespoke specialises in hand-crafted rugs, carpets and home accessories. Liveable luxury is at the heart of the company, teamed with an emphasis on original design and quality craftsmanship. Set apart by a diverse offering of weaving techniques, Holmes Bespoke’s skilled artisans can hand tuft, knot, weave, loop, or carve any bespoke design in an array of premium fibres.

holmesbespoke.com

 
 
 
 
 
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BAZ & CO

"Being in a room with people that share similar problems to you is so encouraging, not for your own mental wellbeing, but to work through those problems. Sharing inspiration collectively is really important." – James Chase, Founder

BAZ & CO was founded by farmer James Dashwood Chase, who knows that the quality and integrity of ingredients is essential in skincare and wellbeing. Inspired by his last venture, Chase Distillery, BAZ & CO’s products are made with natural, vertical-farm-grown ingredients and do not contain parabens, soap, harsh exfoliants, detergents, sulphates, or synthetic chemicals. The company’s mission is to provide powerful, natural skincare that helps men achieve naturally healthier skin over time.

bazandcoskincare.com

 
 
 
 
 
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Maison Margaux

"There's a real sense of community on Brands of Tomorrow – a real sense of togetherness and being on a shared journey." – Julian Vogel, Co-Founder

Founded by a team of industry experts in 2019, Maison Margaux is a luxury British homeware brand that travels the world sourcing everything you need for beautiful home entertaining, including crockery, linens, cutlery, candleware and accessories. A successful online sales platform is complemented by a rental service that creates bespoke tablescapes for any occasion. With a mantra of ‘Buy the classics and hire the trends’ Maison Margaux encourages its customers to buy forever pieces and then return to rent seasonal updates.

maisonmargauxltd.com

 
 
 
 
 
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Anglo-Italian

“Brands of Tomorrow gives you lots of context for your business. When you're in the thick of setting up a brand, it’s so useful to have peer support and mentorship that shows you not only highlights how far you've got to go, but also how far you've come.” – Jake Grantham, Founder

Anglo-Italian is a tailoring-focused menswear brand inspired by the culture of England and Italy. Led by Jake Grantham, the house produces garments in a way that combines artisanal production with a firm point of view, and re-works, revisits, and revives its roster of core items each season. Offering ready-to-wear, made-to-order, made-to-measure and bespoke services, its stores in Marylebone are manned by knowledgeable staff and frequented by patrons seeking products that will endure.

angloitalian.com

 

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