Brands of Tomorrow

The body for the British luxury sector, Walpole, announced the 2023 selection for its Brands of Tomorrow programme at The Ned, London.

Brands of Tomorrow, in association with Mishcon de Reya and MoneyCorp, is a unique mentoring programme which takes up to 12 carefully selected early-stage brands through a year-long programme of workshops and mentoring to help develop their business skills and set them on a path to growth. Participants are mentored by some of the UK’s most experienced luxury executives, editors and founders who provide a year of one-to-one coaching; sharing their knowledge and expertise with the chosen brands.

Now in its 16th year, Walpole’s flagship development programme continues to support the success and growth of the British luxury industry by passing on skills, experience and practical knowledge to ensure the continued dynamism and prosperity of the sector. It creates mutually beneficial relationships between established and up-and-coming luxury brands and individuals, which not only ensures a pipeline of new British brands, but keeps driving the innovation and entrepreneurship at the heart of one of the UK’s fastest-growing business sectors.

Each new cohort of Brands of Tomorrow also acts as a microcosm of consumer trends in the high-end space, pinpointing emerging consumer expectations and behaviours. As well as the continued move towards sustainability, this year’s brands are a new generation that has purpose-driven commerce at their core. They all have a strong understanding of the original and quality craftsmanship that is a hallmark of the British luxury sector, across fashion, interiors, jewellery and beauty.

Holmes Bespoke, Maison Margaux, Goldfinger and Edward Bulmer Natural Paint are at the forefront of interiors, furniture and homewares, integrating timeless design and craftsmanship with a forward-thinking and ethical approach.

Anglo Italian and Navygrey both produce high-quality garments, with carefully sourced materials creating authentic wardrobe garments made to last while not costing the earth.

With a focus on well-being and integrity, skincare brand BAZ & CO, natural deodorant brand AKT London and the world’s first dedicated scalp and hair health brand, MONPURE are all making waves in the wellness sector creating products that are effective, ethical and innovative.

Impressive craft-led products are what make Roxanne First and Makers Cabinet unique to this year’s selection. Roxanne First uses ethically sourced gold and gemstones to create jewellery pieces designed for everyday wear and timeless cool. Makers Cabinet produces innovative, crafted tools, favoured by creators globally, from architects to artists.

Finally representing the highest grade of drinks companies, Difference Coffee sources rare and limited reserve beans from the world’s most prestigious coffee estates. This commitment to excellence makes the brand the leading British coffee brand amongst luxury hospitality and Michelin restaurants in the UK.

‘During the selection process, I was struck not only by the ‘Class of ‘23’s creativity and entrepreneurship but also by their strong sense of purpose – without exception the defining philosophy was one of doing well by doing good. As we look at the brands of the future, it’s a fundamental principle that tomorrow’s customer likes beautiful brands to buy, but they must also be brands to believe in.’

Helen Brocklebank, Walpole CEO commented:

2023 BRANDS OF TOMORROW

AKT LONDON

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 ComplexTM leaves you dry and fresh all day long. Tested on over 1000 dancers since 2015, AKT is born to perform.

ANGLO-ITALIAN

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.

BAZ & CO

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.

DIFFERENCE COFFEE

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.

EDWARD BULMER NATURAL PAINT

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.

GOLDFINGER

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.

HOLMES BESPOKE

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.

MASION MARGAUX

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.

MAKERS CABINET

London-based Makers Cabinet was established in 2017 by Odin Ardagh and Noah Bier, while graduates in Product Design at Central Saint Martins. 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. It regularly collaborates with fellow craftspeople and like-minded brands. Makers Cabinet have grown the business through D2C channels and are stocked in 50+ retailers. They plan to expand into new industries with products designed in line with the circular economy, made in the UK.

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 LONDON

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

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 semi-precious 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.

ROXANNE FIRST

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 semi-precious 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.

If you enjoyed reading Brands of Tomorrow why not read Pay Attention

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