Somehow it’s already a week ago - what an amazing evening at The Dorchester for Walpole’s 2025 British Luxury Awards. Many congratulations to all of our winners, a huge thanks to our sponsors, panel and judges and to everyone you joined us to celebrate the exceptional achievements of the brands and individuals who power our £81bn sector. A huge well done to the brilliant Walpole team and partners who make it such a memorable celebration for everyone 🙏✨.
Full list of winners below 👏✨
✨ Made in the UK: Swaine.
✨ Creative Collaboration: Highgrove by Sanderson
✨ Outstanding Contribution: David Collins Studio
✨ Wolf Award for Future Legacy: Royal Ballet & Opera
✨ Game Changer: Aston Martin
✨ Cultural & Social Contribution: Goodwood Arts Foundation
✨ Luxury in the Making: Hamilton & Inches
✨ Sustainable Luxury Brand: Elvis & Kresse
✨ Luxury Experience: Beaverbrook
✨ Great Creative Briton: Jamie Lloyd
✨ Great Creative Briton: Cush Jumbo OBE
✨ Visionary: Raymond Blanc OBE
Belmond’s new luxury sleeper train, the Britannic Explorer, makes its maiden journey later this month following its launch last night. With journeys through the British Isles, taking in the breathtaking scenery of the Lakes and the shorelines of Cornwall, this stunning new addition to the Belmond portfolio celebrates Britishness with elegant interiors by Albion Nord that showcase the craft and style that define British luxury. Congratulations to the whole Belmond team ✨✨✨and thank you for inviting me to join the launch celebrations last night.
There are so many things I absolutely love about Walpole member, The Fife Arms. The mix of contemporary art, landscape, stunning interiors, amazing food, warmth of Scottish hospitality. An absolute pleasure to host our Scottish Chapter this week, spending time with members and discussing experiential luxury ✨🏴. From a hike to an art tour, from a roundtable discussion to a whisky tasting - a memorable day and can’t wait to come back. Thank you to the whole team at The Fife Arms for hosting ua and a special thanks to Walpole members, Sleigh and Chivas Brothers.
Architect of joy. The art of colour...
I was incredibly honoured to be back at the Walpole British Luxury Summit, this time in conversation with the King of Colour himself, Yinka Ilori MBE.
Watching Yinka’s journey has been nothing short of inspirational - from his furniture designs to architectural projects, visual arts and even gaming. He refuses to be confined to a single discipline, something I deeply relate to as I’ve built my own career path. His collaborative nature has seen work combine with the likes of North Face; Soho House, Sotheby’s, Frieze & Beats by Dre alongside impactful public art projects at Dulwich Picture Gallery and the V&A Dundee, our great city of London and other major cities.
What struck me most in our conversation was how seamlessly Yinka weaves luxury dialogue with cultural storytelling - continuously weaving narratives of his home town London with bright dynamic patterns from his Nigerian heritage. His work combines beautiful aesthetic with socially impactful projects.
We explored the emotional power of colour (something I’ve always been obsessed with myself as you can see), the importance of honouring our unique heritage stories, and how creativity becomes a transformative force.
This exchange reminded me why I started my own journey - because design isn’t just about beautiful objects, it’s about stories, connection, and purpose. These are the principles I believe in and share.
Grateful to Walpole and Helen Brocklebank and her team for the conference led by the fantastic Charlotte Keesing for creating these spaces where British luxury leaders can exchange ideas that push our industry forward in the private space in tandem with vital policy measures. The future of luxury is bright, colourful, and deeply meaningful.
@yinka_ilori@walpole_uk@thewickculture@walpoleceo@charkeesing
This week we are swapping London for New York for Walpole’s 2025 US Trade Mission 🇺🇸🇬🇧. Exciting week ahead with a US Luxury Market Briefing at JP Morgan, Meet the Media with Hearst Magazines and FT’s HTSI, exploring the latest in the luxury retail with Bergdorf Goodman, lunch at Artfarm’s latest opening Manuela to talk all this British luxury hospitality, our Celebrate British Luxury in New York Cocktail Reception at The British Residence, a panel discussion with some of the leading NYC based content creators and ending the week with an event at Christie’s exploring the evolving relationship with luxury, art and culture. Can’t wait to get started ✨🇺🇸🇬🇧 and let’s do this @walpoleceo@bethaniesian@falconeragency
A special evening celebrating the “Special Relationship” and our shared values of freedom, equality and democracy at Winfield House 🇬🇧🇺🇸 and dancing to Take That on a perfect summer evening. Thank you to @us_amb_uk and @esteelaudercompanies for such a memorable evening #j4winfield24
A privilege to part of the GREAT Futures programme in Riyadh and hosting a fascinating session looking at Luxury 2030 talking Gen Z, experiential luxury, innovation, sustainability, nurturing talent and legacy. Thank you at @walpole_uk Brands of Tomorrow @anabelachan@mywardrobe_hq@cocopanazza@harrods and @greatcampaign . An amazing couple of days showcasing British business and collaboration and thank you to the amazing GREAT team.
A wonderful evening immersed in and inspired by Chanel - finishing @justinepicardie exquisitely written, Coco Chanel The Legend and The Life, after an evening with Chanel’s inspirational CEO, Leena Nair, talking women in leadership at @londonbschool 💫✨.
Final day in Tokyo ☀️Morning meetings with Rakuten talking all things e-commerce landscape, a dash over to Ginza to see the stores and Dover Street Market, followed by the British Luxury Showcase at The British Ambassador’s Residence. Members met with journalists, buyers, influencers and distributors - so many opportunities. Finally a very special dinner prepared by 2 Michelin star chef, Niall Keating, hosted by HM Ambassador to Japan in honour of the visit of Secretary of State, Kemi Badenoch. All brilliantly organised by @biztradegovuk 👏✨🇯🇵🇬🇧
Lisa Redman I always feel so special in your beautiful dresses 🙏❤️
