10 Sep 2018
Top Drawer is delighted to announce Ben Langworthy Paper Goods as the winner of the Autumn/Winter 2018 Spotted Award.
Spotted is Top Drawer's curated showcase of innovative, market ready, design-based businesses new to the major UK trade fair market. Since its inception, Spotted has helped to launch over 200 small businesses and is now firmly established as one of the show's main attractions.
All new brands accepted into the September 2018 edition of Spotted at Top Drawer Autumn were eligible, and entries were judged by a panel made up of the following industry experts: Annabelle Dodds, Senior Buyer at the V&A; Charlotte Abrahams, Spotted Curator; Dan Flower, owner of AIM Brands; Johnathan Brown, Founder of Cult Vinegar; Nicki Sloan, Founder & MD of Cubic Products Ltd and Sophie Hughes, PR & Brand Marketing Manager of West Elm.
The brands were judged on originality and innovation, commercial viability, clarity of brand, communication of message and the overall quality of their products.
Spotted Award Winner: Ben Langworthy Paper Goods
Ben Langworthy makes vintage-inspired paper goods featuring strong colours and typography, underpinned by his belief in the special importance of a hand-written note. He hand-draws all his designs using traditional techniques, and everything is printed in the U.K. His cut out cards – which can be cut and folded to make a miniature model – are particularly special.
Judges' comments
“This collection brought a smile to my face, such charm and an ode to the traditions of snail mail!”
“His cohesive product range and look, coupled with his fun and innovative cut out cards, is terrific.”
Spotted Award Runner Up: Finfo Design
Finfo Design makes illustrated tableware featuring people from all corners of the world with the aim of promoting friendship and conversation. The designs are created with ink finger prints and brush strokes.
Judge's comments
“A charming product range with a distinct identity.”
“This collection feels very contemporary – there's a real sense of the maker's hand and the concept resonates with current issues in a light hearted way.”
Spotted Award runner up: Roadscents
Roadscents is a French perfumed car fragrance. Designed to be a luxury impulse buy, Roadscents is a take on the traditional hanging cardboard fragrances featuring witty designs, luxury packaging and high quality, French-made perfume.
Judge's comments
“A much-needed, design-led alternative to the usual car fragrances.”
“A clear concept with great branding
Judges also gave special mention to Playroom Interiors for their stand design, as well as shortlisted brands and Hirsch & Kirsch and Kesemy Design.
Spotted was established to help emerging brands at a crucial stage in their development and the prizes reflect that mission. The winner will receive a free stand at Top Drawer and all three finalists will be rewarded with one-to-one mentoring from six industry experts: Dan Flower, Owner AIM Brands; Ged Mace, MD The Art File; Kirpal Bharaj, Co-Founder of Spotted Award Winner Spring/Summer 2018 Stay Sixty; Lorna Syson, Print Designer; Rosie Wolfenden MBE, Co-Founder & Director Tatty Divine and Sharon Good, MD of Good Results PR.
All the winning brands can be seen at Spotted at Top Drawer Autumn from 9th - 11th September 2018.
Charlotte Abrahams, Spotted's curator, says “All three winners are making considered, original products that will enhance the lives of those who buy them. I am thrilled that the Spotted Award will help them take their brands forward.”
With a unique selection of over 1,000 design-led lifestyle brands and thousands of new products across nine curator sectors, Top Drawer offers buyers a one-stop shop to source from the very best brands and up-coming names; as well as the perfect and most inspiring environment to learn about retail business, network and discover the latest trends.
The next edition of Top Drawer will take place at Olympia London from 9 – 11 September 2018. Buyers can register for their complimentary passes at topdrawer.co.uk
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About the judges
Annabelle Dodds | V&A
Annabelle is Senior Buyer for the V&A Shops and has worked at the V&A for over 15 years. She has worked on projects with a long list of designers and makers and has developed many exclusive products based on the V&A collections, as well a diverse range of exhibitions including Modernism, The Golden Age of Couture, Fabric of India, Alexander McQueen, David Bowie and most recently Century of the Child: Nordic Design for Children 1900 to Today and The Future Starts Here.
Charlotte Abrahams | Spotted Curator
Charlotte has been curating Spotted since its inception in 2010. She also writes- and talks - about all aspects of design for a range of publications and events, including Financial Times How to Spend It, Times LUXX, Homes & Antiques and Focus. She is the author of several books including Hygge, A Celebration of Simple Pleasures.
Daniel Flower | AIM Brands
Dan has worked at the premium end of the Lifestyle/Homeware industry for over 20 years. He has worked in all retail channels including independents, department stores, multiple retailers and e-commerce. Dan's ethos has always been to sell a brand, not just a product and he understands and advises on the complexities of the dynamic retail environment. He is the owner of AIM Brands.
Jonathan Brown | Cult Vinegar
Jonathan Brown is the founder of Cult Vinegar which specialises in live, unpasteurised wine, sake and cider vinegars that are good for your gut health. He's passionate about spreading the love about live vinegar and the rise of the fermented food movement. He launched the business in May 2017 and is juggling it with his day job working as an advertising strategist for McCann. Cult Vinegar was runner up in the Spotted Award in January 2018.
Nicky Sloan | Cubic
Nicky is the Founder and Managing Director of Cubic Products Ltd with over 15 years' experience building Cubic into one of the largest gift and homeware distributors in the UK. She is especially proficient in brand building and positioning, having successfully launched many USA lines into the UK and Europe. She is also the Founder and creator of Magpie, a lifestyle brand stocked in thousands of design, home and gift stores across the globe.
Sophie Hughes | West Elm
As PR & Brand Marketing Manager for global furniture retailer West Elm, Sophie oversees the PR and marketing strategies for the UK. Since joining in 2017, she has helped drive the global expansion of the Brooklyn born brand, with two new London based retail spaces and numerous wholesale partnerships. With over ten years' experience focusing on home and interior clients, she has worked on a myriad of brand launches and campaigns; ranging from established home retailers to emerging designers.
-ENDS-
Please contact Katie Fox at Good Results PR for further press information and images on topdrawerpr@goodresults.co.uk +44 (0) 20 3397 5180
Dates
Autumn/Winter 2018 edition - 9-11 September
Spring/Summer 2019 edition - 13-15 January
Venue
Olympia London, Hammersmith Road, Kensington, London, W14 8UX
About Clarion
Clarion has outstanding expertise in retail industry with well-established shows including Top Drawer, Pulse, Home & Gift, Scotland Trade Fair, Internet Retail Expo and Internet Retail Conference. Clarion Events organises over 150 exhibitions, conferences and events annually across the globe and employs over 500 people in nine different countries. More than 12,000 companies trust us with their custom each year and over 700,000 people give their valuable time to visit our events.
Katie Fox
Good Results PR
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