Bentley, Farfetch, Gucci and Chatsworth House among the winners at the Walpole British Luxury Awards
There was little doubt that Walpole picked the right host for its annual British Luxury Awards at London's Dorchester Hotel. Not only glamorous and charming, actor Catherine Zeta-Jones is also someone who quite clearly relishes a life immersed in British luxury - with much of it a sapphire hue.
As Bentley's Stefan Sielaff and John Paul Gregory, director of design and head of exterior design respectively, picked up the award for Luxury Maker of the Year, Zeta-Jones commented: "As a proud owner of a Bentley myself - sapphire exterior, burnt orange leather interior, glossy dark woodwork - I can report they're gorgeous!" She later offered to tap dance in the bar in exchange for another Bentley.
It was a joke that continued when Ken McConomy, head of UK PR for Jaguar Land Rover collected the Export Excellence award on behalf of the car brand, beating the likes of Jimmy Choo, Ettinger and Belmond.
"I'm not in the habit of giving cars away," he said. "We sell in over 150 territories and last year sold 600,000 cars, but if Catherine Zeta-Jones wants a Jaguar?" Her response was swift. "I have a Land Rover - sapphire exterior, cream interior, glossy dark woodwork. Perfect for those East Coast winters," she purred, adding with a wink, "I'm just waiting for the McLaren and the Aston Martin".
This was the 16th edition of the event staged by Walpole, the organisation which aims to promote, protect and develop the luxury industry in the UK through mentoring programmes, events, research and public affairs work with the UK government. British luxury brands have once again experienced growth in 2017 and the UK's high-end creative and cultural sector is valued at ￡32.2 billion.
Walpole's chief executive Helen Brocklebank welcomed over 300 CEOs, representatives and nominees from luxury companies to the ceremony, which commenced with The Walpole Honour, granted posthumously to master craftsman and "a truly English eccentric" Mark Wilkinson, OBE, founder of Smallbone of Devizes and Mark Wilkinson Furniture who passed away earlier this year. His wife received the award on his behalf.
The additional twelve categories were announced after dinner, with the winners selected by an expert panel of judges led by Michael Ward, managing director of Harrods and Walpole chairman.
It was an upbeat evening celebrating British innovation and quality with barely a nod paid to Brexit, Although Leader of Luxury recipient Imran Amed of the Business of Fashion made a rousing speech about how his team are drawn from 20 nationalities, and the importance of cross-cultural exchange in achieving creative excellence.
The 2017 Walpole winners are:
Brands of Tomorrow Award for Emerging Talent: Aurelia Probiotic Skincare, House of Hackney, Seedlip and Tom Raffield
Luxury Maker of the Year: Bentley
Commitment to British Manufacturing: Johnstons of Elgin
Digital: Farfetch
Innovation & Creativity: Kingsman + Mr Porter
Cultural Experience: Chatsworth House
Export Excellence: Jaguar Land Rover
International Luxury Brand of the Year: Gucci
Luxury with a Heart: Glenmorangie
British Luxury Brand of the Year: Matchesfashion.com
Leader of Luxury: Imran Ahmed, MBE
Lifetime Achievement: Justine Picardie
For more information about Walpole and the winners visit walpolebritishluxury.co.uk