Leather brands highlighted at Walpole British Luxury Awards
Leather and leathergoods companies featured strongly at the Walpole British Luxury Awards, held at The Dorchester in London on November 10.
The event, which celebrates the contribution of British luxury to the national economy, recognised both circular innovation and traditional craftsmanship within the sector.
Elvis & Kresse received the Sustainable Luxury Brand of the Year award. The company repurposes decommissioned fire hoses and leather off-cuts into bags, belts and small accessories. Walpole noted its circular production model, which has diverted more than 315 tonnes of waste from landfill and generated significant charitable donations. The organisation described the brand as a clear example of purpose driven luxury within the UK market.
Heritage maker The House of Swaine was recognised with the Made in the UK award. The company has crafted hats, umbrellas and leathergoods in its London and Leicestershire workshops since 1750, and Walpole said the award reflected its continued investment in handmaking skills and long term manufacturing capability.
The awards underlined the role of specialist leather producers in the wider British luxury industry, a sector that Walpole values at 81 billion pounds. According to the organisation, the performance of brands such as Elvis & Kresse and Swaine shows how craftsmanship, material knowledge and sustainable production models remain central to the strength of UK luxury goods.
image: Elvis & Kresse
