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When British excellence meets modern creativity, extraordinary things happen, and few occasions embody that spirit better than the launch of the Walpole Book of British Luxury 2025/2026. Hosted at the iconic Hotel Café Royal, this annual event celebrates the very best of British craftsmanship, creativity, and design.
As a proud Walpole member, Wildabout was honoured to design and produce the florals for this year’s highly anticipated launch, creating an immersive botanical experience that captured the essence of joyful, contemporary luxury.
Walpole is the official trade body for the UK’s luxury sector, representing over 270 prestigious brands across fashion, design, hospitality, and craftsmanship. Founded in 1992, its mission is to promote, protect, and develop British luxury, a sector now worth over £81 billion to the UK economy.
The launch of each new Book of British Luxury is a defining moment in the industry calendar. The 2025/2026 edition explores the question: “What is British design today, and how is it shaping the world around us?” Featuring stories and insights from leading designers, artisans, and brands, it stands as an indispensable guide to the landscape of British creativity.
This year’s cover, created by acclaimed artist Yinka Ilori, sets the tone, bold, expressive, and unmistakably joyful. His signature use of vibrant colour and pattern became the inspiration for Wildabout’s floral concept, resulting in a striking installation that seamlessly merged nature, design, and artistry.
Led by founder Leanne Roberts-Hewitt, the Wildabout team conceptualised a floral scheme that would echo Ilori’s design energy and Walpole’s celebration of innovation. The result: a bespoke flower wall installation that became the centrepiece of the event, serving as both a stunning backdrop and a vibrant photocall moment.
Drawing on a palette of saturated tones, the florals incorporated bursts of fuchsia, citrus, and coral, contrasted with sculptural green forms to create depth and movement. Each stem was chosen not only for its beauty but for its ability to reflect the artistic vibrancy of the cover artwork, a fusion of creativity that brought the space to life.
“Our goal was to create something that didn’t just complement the event, but became part of its visual storytelling,” explains Leanne. “We wanted guests to walk in and immediately feel that sense of colour, joy, and confidence that defines both Yinka Ilori’s work and the spirit of British luxury today.”
The event brought together some of the UK’s most distinguished brands in celebration of design, creativity, and craftsmanship. The room was beautifully scented with Jo Malone London candles, while Gusbourne provided the champagne and ALR Music curated the live soundtrack for the evening.
Set within the grandeur of Hotel Café Royal, where Mayfair meets Soho and St James’s, the setting was as quintessentially British as it was stylishly modern. Known for hosting cultural icons from Oscar Wilde and Winston Churchill to David Bowie and Princess Diana, the venue offered the perfect blend of legacy and luxury for an event that celebrates timeless excellence.
For Wildabout, creating florals for Walpole was more than a design brie, it was an opportunity to express the brand’s deep connection to British creativity and heritage. With over 25 years of experience designing for luxury weddings, events, and brand collaborations, Wildabout has built a reputation for transforming spaces into living works of art.
Each floral installation is created with intention, grounded in an understanding of brand identity and the emotional atmosphere that flowers can create. From elegant hotel receptions to high-profile launches, Wildabout’s approach blends artistry with precision, ensuring every detail aligns with the moment’s purpose.
As a Walpole member and creative partner, Wildabout is proud to stand alongside Britain’s leading luxury names, contributing to a sector that champions innovation, sustainability, and craftsmanship.
The Walpole Book of British Luxury 2025/2026 marks a new chapter in the ongoing story of British design, one where creativity and tradition coexist beautifully. For Wildabout, it was a privilege to bring that story to life through florals that celebrated colour, joy, and modern artistry.
Photography for the evening was captured by Philipp Ammonshowcasing the event’s exquisite details and atmosphere.
From the striking flower wall to the final bloom, the florals reflected everything Walpole represents: heritage reimagined for the modern era.