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Dame Zandra Rhodes, dunhill, Church’s, Bentley and Burberry, FLOWERBX, Smythson, and Manolo Blahnik x The Wallace Collection amongst winners
On Monday 18th November 2019, over 400 luxury industry creatives, executives and influencers gathered to applaud Britain’s long-standing luxury companies and emerging talent for their outstanding work in the luxury sector both in Britain and abroad. Held at The Dorchester, Mayfair and hosted by the award-nominated English actor, singer and songwriter Laurence Fox, the dazzling ceremony was attended by David Walliams, James Nesbitt, Lady Kitty Spencer, Sam Heughan and Max Irons.
The annual Walpole British Luxury Awards is the only event dedicated to celebrating the very best high-end products, services and individuals from a diverse range of British businesses, spanning multiple sectors: from fashion, fragrance and fine jewellery to hotels, automobiles and accessories. The British luxury sector is worth over £48 billion to the UK economy, and Walpole is committed to promoting, protecting and developing the industry’s unique qualities through its mentoring programmes, events, research and public affairs with the British government and in Europe.
“This evening’s awards have been an incredible celebration of unstoppable creativity, inventiveness, fearless entrepreneurship and above all relentless quest for perfection. All of our winners and nominees are fired by the ambition to be the best and to make British luxury a byword for brilliance the whole world over and if tonight is anything to go by, they are succeeding. My thanks to Laurence Fox for being the perfect host and to all of the sponsors and partners who have made the awards possible.”
Helen Brocklebank, CEO of Walpole
This year, a new category, the ‘Future Legacy’ award, was awarded to Bentley, an iconic British luxury brand that has chosen to use the power of its heritage to build a visionary and relevant story for the future, with innovation and purpose at the heart of what that legacy aims to achieve.
The Luxury Legend award was presented to Dame Zandra Rhodes, for her 50-year career as one of the UK’s most recognisable and best-known fashion designers. dunhill were named British Luxury Brand for their global impact in terms of sales and exposure in the last year. Manolo Blahnik x The Wallace Collection received the award for Creative Contribution for their critically acclaimed exhibition.
Hosting the ceremony, Laurence Fox wore a dunhill black shawl collar tuxedo with white waffle bib evening shirt and black grosgrain bow tie and Church’s Shannon derby shoes in polished black leather. The black-tie event began with a Laurent-Perrier champagne reception, followed by an elegant three-course dinner of red onion and smoked ricotta tart, yellow tandoori curry and pistachio and strawberry Opéra. Berry Bros. & Rudd wine was served as the awards were announced and the night was capped off with an after-party style by Zandra Rhodes and hosted by Royal Salute Whisky with West London DJ duo Pablo:Rita AKA Annabel Simpson and Liz Cass on the decks. Table gifts for guests were provided by Wedgewood.
The winners of the 2019 Walpole British Luxury Awards were decided on by an esteemed judging panel. The panel was chaired by Michael Ward, MD, Harrods, and included Helen Brocklebank, CEO, Walpole; Mark Harvey, CEO, Chapel Down; Gillian De Bono; Michael Morley, CEO, Deutsche Bank UK Limited; Mark Henderson, Chairman, Gieves & Hawkes; Richard Carter, Director of Global Communications, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and Dr. Frederick Mostert, Research Fellow, University of Oxford IP Research Centre.
THE FULL 2019 LIST OF WALPOLE BRITISH LUXURY AWARD WINNERS:
Emerging Talent, in association with Mishcon de Reya – WINNER: FLOWERBX
Presented by David Walliams
Future Legacy – WINNER: Bentley
Presented by Donna Air
Cultural Contribution in association with Harper’s Bazaar – WINNER: Josie Rourke
Presented by Lynette Lynton
Luxury with a Heart in association with G.F Smith – WINNER: Burberry
Presented by Dr Sally Uren OBE
Creative Collaboration in association with Times Luxx & STYLE – WINNER: Manolo Blahnik x The Wallace Collection
Presented by Jade Parfitt
British Luxury Overseas, in association with Global Blue – WINNER: Smythson
Presented by Lady Kitty Spencer
Luxury Maker, in association with Elite Associates – WINNER: Church’s
Presented by Max Irons
Luxury Leader in association with Wearisma – WINNER: Ewan Venters, CEO Fortnum & Mason
Presented by James Nisbett
Legend – WINNER: Dame Zandra Rhodes
Presented by Hilary Alexander OBE
British Luxury Brand, in association with Laurent-Perrier – WINNER: dunhill
Presented by Sam Heughan
Thank you to all our winners, nominees, host Laurence Fox, presenters and guests, and our partners and friends The Dorchester, Laurent-Perrier, Moriarty, Wild About Flowers, The Highland Chocolatier, JING tea, Hildon, Wedgwood, Peter Reed, Charlotte Tilbury, Miller Harris, Royal Salute, Pablo:Rita, Zandra Rhodes, Savoir Beds, Bentley Motors and Luxury Marketing House. And to sponsors: Times Luxx and Sunday Times Style, Elite Associates, Mishcon de Reya, Global Blue, Harper’s Bazaar, G . F Smith, Wearisma. Thank you to Johnstons of Elgin, Fitzdares, G . F Smith, LPO, Bicester Village, Exmoor Caviar, Molton Brown, Fortnum & Mason, Harrods, JING tea and Wearisma for the gifts.
The Walpole team – image courtesy of Adam Duke Photography.
For more information please contact Carly von Speyr
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