What is Walpole?

Walpole is the UK’s only business organisation for luxury brands, spanning across many sectors, it helps uplift and sing the praises of all the wonderful luxury brands the UK has to offer.

Walpole is the official sector body for UK luxury. Founded in 1992 as a not-for-profit organisation, it counts more than 270 British brands in its membership and is recognised in both Westminster and Brussels. As the voice of British luxury, Walpole’s purpose is to promote, protect and develop a sector worth £48 billion to the UK economy. From interiors to garment tech, hotels and stationary makers, jewellery design to heath and beauty, its plethora of much loved and well respected brands is exemplary and we can’t wait to introduce you to some of our favourites.

As we enter 2024, we are so proud to stand amongst other much loved and respected British brands in the Walpole family and will continue to grow and support our fellow brands paving the way for luxury within the UK market, working sustainably, honestly and as the only paint company within, paving the way for a cleaner more transparent future filled with colour!

Brands of Tomorrow

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.

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

It was a huge honour to be selected as one of the 12 brilliant emerging Walpole Brands of Tomorrow 2023 – circularity, authenticity and sustainability have become the new benchmarks and barometers for success!⁠

Inspired by our founder Edward Bulmer, our team are all invested in our vision to clean up the paint industry – all we want is for consumers to be in a position to make an informed and educated decision.⁠

“Tried, tested and approved by London’s West End performers, AKT is a premium natural deodorant that is truly… BORN TO PERFORM.” – Ed Currie and Andy Coxon, founders

A breakthrough in natural deodorant, packed with premium fragrances. All of the products made by  AKT are made in the UK and packed plastic free!

Andy and Ed both used to work in theatre and tired of chemical ridden, ineffective deodorants which  didn’t stand up to the test performance wise, and that’s how AKT was born. After much hard work developing the product with rigorous testing on friends who were also in performing arts, born was AKT – a natural, plastic free and gender free deodorant balm, fragranced with premium ingredients.

We love all of the balms but our favourite at the moment has to be ‘Halycon Summers’.

“That sensation you get when you pull on your favourite jumper? The warmth. The comfort. Like you’ve come back home and everything’s going to be all right.

We take the time to create things that bring that feeling back”- Rachel, founder

Making clothes that represent more than just something you throw on in the morning. These handmade lambs wool jumpers are made to last and can be worn to many occasions. Cosy but smart, Navy Grey gives you pieces that are supposed to last a life time and give comfort and joy all at once.

A jumper made of the purest wool, created from the fleeces of sheep who’ve been well treated and sheared by proper craftsmen, then carefully washed and spun with skill – so a lot of love weaved into it!

Wool that’s dyed without harsh chemicals, then knitted by experts with a lifetime’s experience, what could be better?

‘Liveable luxury’

This is exactly what Laylah Holmes strives for in her designs, the creativity is something that she values and holds closely when designing. Choose from beautiful neutral’s to candy coloured weaves, all inspired by the ancient art of textile creation.

Specialising in bespoke rugs for domestic homes and hotels, these hand woven, hand tufted beauties come in a range of colours and collections meaning there is something to suit everybody. Most recently Holmes Bespokes ‘Shore’ collection which is made solely out of recycled bottles has attracted attention.

We were lucky enough to host Holmes Bespoke in our London Showroom last year which was an utter delight, expect to see more exciting pop-ups in our London Showroom this year.

London-based designers and makers of bespoke furniture, working for the good of people and planet.

Goldfinger are an award-winning social enterprise showing the world that bespoke furniture needn’t cost the earth. Founder Marie has made Goldfinger’s home the iconic Golborne Road and the brand name is dedicated to the well-known designer and architect of the Trelik Tower, Erno Goldfinger.

‘Wood and wellness’ are Goldfinger’s specialities and they make their bespoke furniture out of unused and reclaimed wood that would have other wise been disposed of by burning. Their mission is to use design as a force of good and are true experts in circular design processes and sustainable wood sourcing within the UK, rescuing materials and turning them into breathtaking pieces that will last a lifetime.

Shaping the future of design and bringing together suppliers that share their vision.

“People go to a club, restaurant or hotel to get pampered, to indulge in luxury, and this is really what Difference Coffee provides within the coffee market.”

– Amir Ghel

‘The worlds finest coffee, in capsules’

 Amir’s vision to make speciality coffee accessible to coffee aficionados, Difference Coffee work to bridge the gap between coffee growers and and suppliers that make and sell their beans in small batches to delivering them to the likes of folk after something that extra bit special.

The beans are graded and only the best used and Amir, founder ensures the whole selection represents only the highest scoring coffees on the planet whilst ensuring that all social, environmental and economic factors are taken into consideration, from fair wage to all suppliers to carrying out in depth life cycle analysis to show the care taken in production to the manufacture of the recyclable pods.

Roxanne First fine jewellery, but make it fun!

Designed for individuality and timeless chic.  

Designed for everyday wear, Rocky’s stackable, wearable designs are the ‘timeless cool’ that provide complete joy whilst also being a member of the Responsible Jewellery Council, using only conflict free, ethical diamonds. A female-led business providing a colourful, unique jewellery shopping experience and treasures that will last a lifetime.

All made from solid gold (no plating or vermeil here!) the quality of Roxanne’s bijouterie is second to none and is available to buy at the likes of Browns, Net-A-Porter and Selfridges. ES magazine has described Roxanne’s pieces  ‘kaleidoscopic colour’ championing semi-precious stones and they even provide a personalisation service to make that purchase extra special.

“Our USP is that we are the only sustainable, luxury brand dedicated to scalp health.”-Natanel Bigger, founder

Monpure provide safe and soothing products for your hair and scalp and hold healthy hair at the forefront of their business. Helping to keep the head healthy whilst promoting natural hair growth, products offer a triple layer approach by nurturing the health of your scalp whilst delivering luxurious hair care that smells sensational.

Concentrated and active ingredients that are natural and non-harming mean your haircare routine is guilt free, with no plastic residues or coatings, feeding your follicles with nourishment and making everyday a good hair day!

Sterling suits crafted from the finest wool and materials. Taking inspiration from English and Italian heritage, the mills and factories commissioned to make these impeccable pieces are run by experts who Anglo Italian have the upmost respect for. Mixing staple garments with small runs of one off’s,  authentic and unique!

Be it ready-to-wear or made to order, all suits are quality assured and made by hand with the softest materials and cutting edge patterns that stand the test of time.

Community plays a huge part from the design to execution and and knowledgeable staff who know a good thing when they see it are there to help you from the moment you walk through the door of the Marylebone store.

‘When it comes to your skin, a healthy diet is just as important as the one you eat’ James Chase, founder

Natural skincare solutions founded by a farmer! James, founder of Baz & Co holds the ingredients used in all products at the pinnacle.

‘When it comes to your skin, a healthy diet is just as important as the one you eat’ says James.

With no parabens, harsh ingredients or synthetic chemicals, it’s a breath of fresh air for your skincare routine packed full of delicious ingredients that your epidermis will appreciate! A website full of useful tips and tricks, from how to live your best, healthiest lifestyle to the growth of their number one ingredient, basil, expect nothing less than the best from this supreme skincare.

Who doesn’t want the table scape of dreams when hosting a dinner or event? Maison Margaux know the importance of aesthetically pleasing parties and are there to assist you in creating your very own.

Encouraging hiring pieces for your dinner parties and events, reducing consumer waste but not at any expense. Expect the latest wares that are made lovingly in locations from Provence to Portugal, from linens, glassware, cutlery and bespoke accessories, perusing the website is nothing short of an adventure and a wondering source of inspiration if you have an event to plan.

Maison Margaux’s friendly team are there to help you with expert knowledge from experience in the events industry, expect quality collections and a joyous experience picking up colourful tableware that can be reused again and again.

With a premise that when you buy, you buy for life, Makers Cabinet offer stationary and a ‘culture of care’ that rivals no other. Beautifully made tools that are designed to be inspiring as they are useful.

‘Just like works or art, tools can inspire joy in the way they are used, shared and created’ Noah, co founder of Makers Cabinet, himself and the other two founders studied product design at the prestigious Central St Martins and found they were just dissatisfied with the disposable and wasteful nature of stationary.

With a prolific and thoughtful range of ‘heirloom tools’ to choose from, your pencil case and desk will have never looked so good.

Our job as designers is to create ‘paradise’ you might say – but without responsibility it risks being a ‘fool’s paradise’ – Edward Bulmer, founder

Edward Bulmer Natural Paint offers more than just colour and consultancy, it is a lifestyle choice that goes hand it hand with responsible design and creating spaces which customers and clients will cherish for years to come. With colours that stand the test of time and are hand mixed to order at Herefordshire HQ to reduce waste.

Edward Bulmer and his team are there to help and guide you through your interiors conundrums and offer support and advice whilst delivering a product that is fit for purpose, looks beautiful and isn’t detrimental to your health and the planet. We aim to lift the lid on the mainstream paint industry and offer a bespoke service tailored to you!

We are overjoyed to have shared the experience of 2023 Brands of Tomorrow with all of the above designers and craftsmen and women and look forward to what 2024 will bring!