The Merchant Fox, which is owned by Deborah and business partner Douglas Cordeaux will be at the show with its unique collection of exquisite goods produced entirely in the British Isles, as well as hosting a party on the night of Friday 5 October.
The British-made collection is split into Home & Interiors, Work & Travel, Accessories & Style, as well as offering customers a special ‘By Appointment’ service where they can place a bespoke order for certain items sold by the luxury brand.
Speaking on the synergy between The Merchant Fox and BOB, Deborah Meaden said: “BOB: Best of Britannia comes at an ideal time for British brands producing in this country. Domestically and internationally ‘Made in Britain’ is undergoing a resurgence. Now it’s up to all of us who do manufacture in this country to continue what we’re doing to showcase what makes us as a nation, Great Britain. ”
Taking place at the Farmiloe Building in London, 5 – 7 October 2012, the event will open with an exclusive preview day for international trade buyers and retailers, followed by two days of selling directly to the public.
The event offers the best of British brands a first-class opportunity to meet and do business with other like-minded companies, as well as to sell to a targeted group of discerning buyers and opinion-forming consumers who are keen to buy products that are made in Britain. There has never been a better time for British brands to showcase their standard-bearing credentials.
Only companies that support UK manufacturing will be selected to show at this event and ALL products shown will have been made in Britain. Exhibitors range from long-established heritage brands, to more recent start-ups; all of them with one thing in common – they believe in supporting the manufacturing skills that still exist in the UK.
From interiors to furniture, boat building to footwear, food and drink to racing cars, a range of carefully selected, eclectic British lifestyle brands will present at London’s Farmiloe Building – a Clerkenwell landmark which was once central to trade and commerce in the capital.
As well as The Merchant Fox, other British brands already on board include: BAC Mono (manufacturers of Mono sports cars), Pashley Cycles (Britain’s longest established bicycle manufacturer), Hiut Denim (a newcomer from Wales who are single handedly revitalising the denim making industry in the town of Cardigan) and Mark Powell Bespoke Tailoring (the legendary Soho based tailor who has dressed everyone from George Clooney to Mick Jagger) with many more to confirm in the next few weeks.
Mark Powell said: “BOB will show the very best in British industry and its ethos is exactly what I’m about, with a combination of Savile Row classic style and street / pop culture.”
Adrian Williams, Managing Director of Pashley Cycles said: “It’s great to see a show which supports those who create and make (and care) in this country.”
Multi-platinum and award winning songwriter Guy Chambers will curate the Best of British music stage, providing live entertainment every evening and presenting the predicted stars of 2013.
Chambers said: “British music talent is the best in the world because we take more risks, we embrace new genres, we aren’t scared to be original and we have the confidence of an incredible pop heritage, I look forward to showcasing the best of British talent at BOB 2012.” There will also be a celebration of British film-making with an indoor pop-up cinema showcasing short, documentary and feature length films.
With many brands outsourcing their manufacturing overseas, particularly to emerging economies, Britain is not only losing factories but also skills that are no longer being passed onto the next generation. If Britain’s designers and manufacturers are not supported while they still have these precious skills, they will be lost forever, leaving limited opportunities for the country and future generations.
BOB curator Antony Wallis said: “I believe that a product’s provenance is of the utmost importance. By buying authentic British bikes, cars, furniture, clothing and accessories, produced by skilled craftsmen using the finest materials, we are helping to keep these skills alive – let quality enjoy a revival!”
For more information visit: www.bestofbritannia.com
