Luxury association names two sports start-ups among 2016 Brands of Tomorrow
19/01/2016
An alliance of 170 UK luxury brands, Walpole seeks to provide a platform for high-end businesses to share ideas and best practice. It has run the Brands of Tomorrow competition since 2007.
Announcing the winners for 2016, Walpole chief executive, Michelle Emmerson, said: “What Brands of Tomorrow recognises is the trailblazing brands who are championing innovation in their sectors. Discovering and nurturing new talent is a leading priority for Walpole and our members; as luxury industry leaders it is our responsibility to ensure the future success and sustainability of a sector which is forecast to be worth £51.5bn to the UK economy by 2019.”
This year, the 12 Brands of Tomorrow include urban cycling brand Blaze, and activewear brand Monreal.
Founded in 2012 by Emily Brooke and Philip Ellis, Blaze’s two products so far are both bike lights, but long-lasting, carefully engineered bike lights that fetch impressive prices. Its Laserlight sells for £125 and it’s second product, the Backburner, is available on pre-order for £45. Its lights are 100% waterproof and rechargeable using a USB cable.
For its part, Monreal is a clothing brand founded in 2012 by by German-born designer and tennis enthusiast Stefanï Grosse. Designing for women who care as much about style as they do about sport, the brand’s focus is on high-quality designer aesthetics combined with technical performance. Its first capsule collection of tennis dresses sold out quickly at Harrods in summer 2013.
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