Back for year 17, Walpole has joined forces with independent law firm, Mishcon de Reya for Brands of Tomorrow. This Walpole flagship programme was created to help boost twelve very different (and equally deserving) brands in their early stages. The programme leads the founders of each business on a developmental journey over the course of a year. With tutoring from some of the UK’s most experienced names in luxury. From CEO of The Conran Shop, Peter Jenkins, to Annalise Fard and Michael Ward of Harrods. Sharing their years of knowledge and expertise to help get these innovative start-ups to where they need to be. Think along the lines of Dragon’s Den if it was strictly luxury.
This year’s portfolio of brands is a grand display of both championed craftsmanship and efforts to move towards sustainability. In this day in age, the idea of being ‘niche’ is highly sought after. Whether catching an artist on Spotify at a tiny number of monthly listeners, leaving you with the ability to say you knew them before they were big. Or having a spot in your city that is quiet yet amazing, that you gate-keep as your own little nook hoping it’ll stay calm forever. Until it is leaked on social media and becomes swarmed with internet-obsessed tourists. It’s incredibly satisfying to know you’ve been loyal to something from the very beginning, been there first or ahead of the curve. The Brands of Tomorrow are those brands that are in their early years, yet destined for greatness. In other words, the brands that if you don’t know you should get to know – before they grow into successful household names. Here we introduce each of the brands in all their potential, from refillable pouches of olive oil through your door to understated jewellery honing all the timeless simplicity of high fashion. Let's get into the mighty team of twelve.
