The Very Best of British Talent

Returned again this year for another unmissable event in our industry’s calendar, the Walpole British Luxury Awards. Once again the event was hosted in the stunning ballroom at The Dorchester on London’s Park Lane. The ceremony is to honour those individuals and brands who have achieved the pinnacle of excellence across a variety of categories. Celebrating exceptional creativity, design, innovation, talent, and craftsmanship dedicated to celebrating the very best of Britain. Find out more in The Very Best of Britain here.

The annual Walpole British Luxury Awards celebrates the exceptional creativity, design, innovation, talent, and craftsmanship within the heart of Britain’s luxury sector. The awards celebrate the contribution luxury brands make to the UK. With the British luxury sector being worth over £48 billion. Also contributing to nearly 160,000 jobs in the UK economy whereby Walpole helps promote and protect the industry with the British Government in Europe.

The most notable names were in the sector in attendance. Winning a Walpole British Luxury Award is the ultimate honour for any luxury British brand.

Founded in 1992 as a not-for-profit organisation, it counts more than 250 British brands in developing and improving the effectiveness of both brand and their people by providing knowledge, research, and expertise.

All awards nominations were reviewed by a panel of 20 luxury sector experts. The Sustainable Luxury Brand was evaluated by a jury of sustainability experts with a strong understanding of what it means to be a sustainable luxury brand and the British Luxury Brand of the Year was decided by a vote by all 250 Walpole Members. As well as the new Walpole Academy supported by a hand-picked selection of luxury media and other luxury stakeholders.

The event was hosted by actress Saffron Hocking with the ceremony attended by the likes of Caterina Murino, Cosima, Lady Amelia Spencer, Lady Eliza Spencer, Oliver Proudlock, Olga Kurylenko, Afua Hirsch, Eric Underwood, Laura Jackson, Eunice Olumide, Miquita Oliver, Ben Cobb, Amber Le Bon, Francis Bourgeois, John Barclay, Amy Jackson, and Lilah Parsons.

The Awards

Made in the UK Award
Awarded to a British luxury brand that has demonstrated excellence in the development and making of British luxury goods and/or services.
In association with Department for International Trade.

The ‘Made in the UK’ award went to Harris Tweed Hebrides. A brand whose commitment to excellence in the development and preservation of textiles skills on the Isle of Lewis has also driven significant growth in key export destinations including South Korea and the US. Innovative and exceptional, this company pushes the boundaries of tradition to create an internationally respected product while safeguarding one of our country’s most treasured products through investment in training and the local community.

Tina Taylor and Margaret A Macleod, Sales Director at Harris Tweed Hebrides, accepting the Made In The UK accepting the ‘Made in the UK’ award on behalf of Harris Tween Hebrides, at the Walpole British Luxury Awards 2022. Pic Credit: Dave Benett

Creative Collaboration Award
Awarded to a British luxury brand that has launched a collaboration with an individual, a brand, or a cultural institution to create a new, innovative luxury product or experience.

Fortnum & Mason and The Great British Public were awarded the ‘Creative Collaboration’ award for the Platinum Pudding created in celebration of the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II, a unique and unexpected partnership, demonstrating the connective power to reach new audiences through a collaborative approach.

Fortnum & Mason CEO Tom Athron, accepting the Creative Collaboration award on behalf of Fortnum & Mason and the Great British Public for The Platinum Pudding, and Amber Le Bon attend the Walpole British Luxury Awards 2022. Pic Credit: Dave Benett

Visionary Award
This award recognises an individual in the British luxury sector who has shown exceptional innovation, foresight, and vision throughout their career and inspires others to think differently.

The ‘Visionary’ award was awarded to Edward Sexton for his influence driving his iconoclastic approach creating a style that came to define a cultural moment – a look that immediately propelled Savile Row from the preserve of the gentry and the city to the playground of rock stars and celebrities.

Edward Sexton, winner of the Visionary award, attends the Walpole British Luxury Awards 2022. Pic Credit: Dave Benett

Sustainable Luxury Brand of the Year Award
Awarded to a British luxury brand that demonstrated significant progress in the past year toward applying sustainability best-practice to all aspects of its ecosystem.

The ‘Sustainable Luxury Brand of the Year’ was awarded to Mulberry. Voted for by an independent panel of judges all of whom are experts in their field. Mulberry was recognised for the progress it has made towards its Made to Last Manifesto, showcasing its ongoing commitment to transform the business to a regenerative and circular model, encompassing the entire supply chain by 2030, and to become NetZero by 2035.

Cultural Contribution Award
Awarded to a brand that has contributed to the cultural landscape of the UK either through their own contribution, philanthropic efforts, or their support for institutions and the cultural ecosystem.

It was Chanel that was awarded the ‘Cultural Contribution’ award. In recognition of its investment in the arts through the creation of the Chanel Culture Fund. The Chanel Culture Fund partners locally for global impact, promoting the singular approach of the House of Chanel across the arts. Extending a century of philanthropic cultural commitment, its goals are to spotlight women artists, advance the new and the next and activate history to define the future.

Luxury Innovation Award
Awarded to a brand that has demonstrated clear innovation in either a product or service and that has enhanced the experience of its luxury customer.

The ‘Luxury Innovation’ award celebrated The Macallan for demonstrating clear modernisation in its collaboration with Bentley Motors on The Macallan Horizon, a limited-edition single malt whisky exemplifying the inventiveness synonymous with British Luxury.

Great Creative Britons Award
With creativity at the heart of British luxury, the Creative Briton Award celebrates individuals who represent the very best of creative and cultural talent in the UK today.

Olga Kurylenko (L) and Caterina Murino (R) pose with 007 Associate Producer Gregg Wilson and Heather Callow, Creative Director of EON Productions, accepting the Great Creative Briton award on behalf of Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, at the Walpole British Luxury Awards 2022. Pic Credit: Dave Benett

The ‘Great Creative Britons’ award was presented to three creatives whose talent has enriched the luxury landscape in the UK. The James Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson prided an award for their globally recognised and charitable activations in 2022 to celebrate Bond’s 60th anniversary and champion the essence of British luxury.

Thomas Heatherwick was also awarded for his artistic lead in The Tree of Trees installation in celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, a significant moment in British history.

Laura Jackson and Thomas Heatherwick, winner of the Great Creative Briton award, attend the Walpole British Luxury Awards 2022. Pic Credit: Dave Benett

British Luxury Brand of the Year Award
Awarded to a British luxury brand that has exemplified the creativity, innovation, and social and environmental responsibility at the core of our sector, as well as the far-reaching influence and appeals a British company can have on the international stage.

Gleneagles took home British Luxury Brand of the Year. Following a six-year plan to reinvigorate the spirit of glamour and adventure that had first put the ‘Palace in the Glen’ on the map. Gleneagles has cemented its position as one of the finest UK luxury hotels through bold design, product innovation, and embracing the latest technologies. However, its commitment to meeting guest expectations through storytelling and commitment to excellence through service, quality, and craftsmanship made the recognition for its work buyable.

Luxury Storyteller Award

This award recognises an individual in the British luxury sector who has shown exceptional innovation, foresight, and vision throughout their career and inspires others to think differently.

Luxury Storyteller was presented to British Pullman, A Belmond Train for the newly reimagined Cygnus carriage by Wes Anderson which brings the filmmaker’s signature aesthetic to one of the world’s most famous and luxurious trains. The campaign crafted a narrative that connects with wider pop culture, and consequently, expands Belmond British Pullman’s brand recognition beyond its traditional customer base.

(Left to Right) Kate Thompson, Divisional Director of Marketing, Trains and Cruises at Belmond, and Gary Franklin, Vice President of Trains & Cruises at Belmond, accepting the Luxury Storyteller award on behalf of Belmond British Pullman x Wes Andersonand, pose with Francis Bourgeois. Pic Credit: Dave Benett

This year for the first time 12 exciting, young businesses that have completed Walpole’s 2022 Brands of Tomorrow mentoring programme for up-and-coming luxury brands were recognised for their completion of the scheme. They represent the very best in British entrepreneurship, creativity and determination run through them all. These businesses were recognised for this by the Walpole British Luxury Awards.

Award for the ‘Brands of Tomorrow’ Award went to, Circle of Style, Decree, Feldspar, Lauren Dickinson Clarke, Luxury Promise, LIHA Beauty, Marion Ayonote, Ocean Bottle, Petit Pli, Savin London, With Nothing Underneath, and YOLKE.

Winners of the Brands Of Tomorrow award pose at the Walpole British Luxury Awards 2022. Pic Credit: Dave Benett

Alongside exceptional creativity, design, innovation, talent, and craftsmanship that is the Walpole British Luxury Awards. Presenting for over ten years is the Film London Jarman Award 2022.

Inspired by visionary filmmaker Derek Jarman, the Jarman Award showcases artists’ moving images to audiences throughout the UK and beyond through its annual touring programme.

Derek Jarman, born in 1942 was an English artist and filmmaker, best known for his avant-garde art films and also renowned as a set designer, gardener, author, and gay rights activist.

The celebrated award is recognised for the spirit of experimentation, imagination, and innovation in the work of artist filmmakers in the UK. Returns this year with this year’s winners announced tonight at the Barbican Centre.

Announced at the event last night was the winner of the Film London Jarman Award. Grace Ndiritu, a moving image, performance art, publishing, and fashion artist won the 2022 Film London Jarman Award.

Ndiritu finds herself finding moments of transformation and healing in the contemporary world that we live in. Engaged with both the spiritual and the political, Ndiritu is committed to collective healing and in exploring ‘what we have in common as human beings rather than what divides or makes us different.’ Her art and activism are inspired by alternative communities, spirituality, and lifestyles.

Heading into the fashion sphere, announced the winner this year, we celebrate the 2022 Woolmark Prize. The International Woolmark Prize celebrates outstanding fashion talents from around the globe who showcase the beauty and versatility of Merino wool. Merino wool is a natural fiber grown by Merino sheep. It’s thinner and softer than regular wool.

International Woolmark Prize, Group Finalists

Hosted tonight in London. This year’s theme for the 2023 International Woolmark Prize is ‘Dialogue’. Which is to honour an important element in the creative process and reflects Woolmark’s mission to connect leading design talent with industry players to establish more sustainable practices collectively.

The 2023 Woolmark Prize finalists are A. Roege Hove, Bluemarble, Lagos Space Programme, Marco Rambaldi, MAXXIJ, Paolina Russo, Rhude, and Robyn Lynch.

International Woolmark Prize, Group Finalists

For young and emerging artists the prestigious Ingram Prize, the leading annual prize for contemporary artists in the UK returns for the seventh year running.

This year’s Ingram Prize encompassed a variety of themes, including the Ukraine war, identity, and migration. The shortlisted finalists from the countries of Tanzania, Iran, and Trinidad and Tobago specialise their work in a broad variety of different media, from video, ceramics, and bronze, to film, a sculpture made from digitally printed fabric, and mattress foam, clay, concrete and acrylic on canvas.

Announced as the winners of the Ingram Prize 2022 were Lisa-Marie Harris, Valerie Asiimwe Amani, and Amy Beager. The Founder’s Choice Award went to Rosie Gibbens for their Wilhelm Scream.

Breaking down the artists and introducing them and their designs were prized as part of the Ingram Prize 2022.

Lisa-Marie Harris was born in Trinidad and Tobago before she moved and works in her adopted city of London. As part of her submission for the Ingram Prize, Harris submitted her sculpture ‘The Delivery’. A unique piece of work combined reclaimed metal with archival leather and a hand-carved wooden calabash. The wooden calabash was foraged in Trinidad and Tobago from a tree primarily grown as a host for other plants and vines. The calabash and its innards are generally left to rot, once they mature and fall off the tree. The work resembles a loaded weapon and a body reclined, with parted legs bent in preparation to catapult another body outwards in birth. There is space held for the viewer to consider the ramifications of reproduction within our dehumanised, capitalist environment.

Lisa-MarieHarris.TheDelivery2022

Valerie Asiimwe Amani is a Tanzanian multidisciplinary artist and writer. Amani’s main practice interrogates the ways in which body erotics, language, place, and the mythical are used to situate (or isolate) the self within the community.

Valerie Asiimwe Amani – Power Hungry

Amy Beager lives and works from her studio in Chelmsford, UK. The likes of her work named ‘Bobbidi’ depicts a muscular male figure, reminiscent of the Greek gods in highly saturated emerald green hues. The green head, torso, and right leg curve around the right side of the canvas, whilst the rest of the figure is rendered in soft pinks and orange, dismembering the body through colour. 

Amy Beager Bobbidi, 2021, acrylic, oil and pastel on linen

Rosie Gibbens claimed the Founder’s Choice Award, with their work ‘Wilhelm Scream’. Inspired by the popular stock sound effect, Wilhelm Scream is an exaggerated cartoon scream often used in film and TV for both dramatic and comedic moments. It’s unclear whether the sculpture is screaming or laughing.    

Rosie Gibbens Wilhelm Scream. 2020. Photo by Jon Baker

The Ingram Prize recognises the vital importance of practical support in the early years of an artist’s career. Being one of the largest and most significant public collections of Modern British Art in the UK. For these artists, the Ingram Prize offers opportunities to exhibit and sell work. A programme of continued professional development, and the chance to develop both industry and peer-to-peer networks. 

At the forefront of innovation, craftsmanship, hospitality, design, and sustainability. For those who positively contribute to the evolving economic and cultural impact of British luxury globally should be celebrated and continued to. The award schemes including the Walpole British Luxury Awards, the International Woolmark Prize, Jarman Award, and the Ingram Prize enable the recognition of these artists and designers that they deserve.

For more information on the Walpole British Luxury Awards, please visit www.thewalpole.co.uk here.

Find out more information on the International Woolmark Prize, please visit www.woolmarkprize.com here.

To find out more information on the Jarman Award, please visit filmlondon.org.uk here.

If you enjoyed reading The Very Best of Britain why not try reading Anima Mundi here.

.Cent Magazine, London. Be Inspired; Get Involved.