Last month, I revealed that I was officially a member of Walpole - the sector body for UK luxury, which houses more than 250 British brands under its belt. It’s such an exciting step for me and my millinery business and, on Monday 15th November, I was invited to attend The Walpole British Luxury Awards alongside some very famous faces…

Celebrating the best of Britain

With the event having to be cancelled due to Covid last year, Walpole were back with a bang in 2021 with their annual awards show. Held in The Dorchester Ballroom, I put my best dress on - and of course, one of my own designs - and headed off for a night of glitz, glamour and celebration.

Hosted by Game of Thrones actor Natalie Dormer, this year’s awards focused on the future, looking at what it means to be the best in Britain and rewarding those who had set the bar high in a post-Covid, post-Brexit world.

The CEO of Walpole, Helen Brocklebank said, “As we look beyond the pandemic, tonight’s award winners capture exactly the kind of creativity, ingenuity, entrepreneurship and excellence that will take the country to the next level and move us from recovery to renaissance. I hope we can take inspiration from them all.”

Star-studded attendance

Over 300 luxury creatives, leaders and influencers were at the event, all there to celebrate some of the UK’s finest brands and individuals in what has been one of the most challenging years. It was an honour to meet and catch up with some of the other members and so fabulous to see the likes of Rita Ora, Jason Fox, Niclas Baker and Richard E Grant.

As the only event of its kind, celebrating the best of Britain, the awards aim to recognise luxury and high-end businesses in the UK and their contribution. This included awards for Great Creative Britons, British Artistic Icon, Best of British, Made in the UK, and Visionary. 12 young businesses that have completed the Walpole Brands of Tomorrow programme were also recognised for their efforts over the past 12 months.

A night to remember

It was such an uplifting and inspiring evening and it really felt like there was a buzz in the air. I must mention the incredible Laurent-Perrier champagne reception and amazing three-course dinner that we were all treated to as well. That wasn’t all either as the evening was finished off with an after party hosted by Royal Salute!

I’d like to thank everyone at Walpole for putting on such an occasion and my biggest congratulations go to those who won an award…

Katherine Elizabeth x