Bath-based gift design firm Wild & Wolf has landed a prestigious national award for its 2017 Orla Kiely stationery collection.
The collection beat off strong challenges from the likes of Kellogg’s, Nintendo & Discovery Science ranges to top the Best Brand Licensed Gifting Range category in the Brand & Lifestyle Licensing Awards.
Better known as the Bellas, the awards recognise and celebrate creative brilliance and excellence in product innovation, brand licensing management and retail execution in the ever-evolving brand and lifestyle licensing sector.
They were handed over at a ceremony at The Dorchester Hotel, London, in front of an audience of more than 400 retailers, licensees, brand owners and representatives.
Wild & Wolf has collaborated with Orla Kiely since 2011, from which the collection has grown significantly. Initially a garden collection, the range expanded last year with the inclusion of both stationery and homewares.
It now includes 35 pieces including premium pens, stylish notebooks and desk accessories, all featuring Kiely’s iconic prints and signature patterns.
Wild & Wolf brand director Dave Heffernan said: “The intent of the collection was for Orla to celebrate her iconic design handwriting through beautifully designed stationery, reflecting details associated with Orla’s Fashion & Home collections. We’re delighted the collection has been recognised as Orla’s brand continues to go from strength to strength.”
Wild & Wolf won the award just days after gaining the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade.
The firm partners with global brands including Ted Baker, Orla Kiely, Stanley, V&A and Happy Jackson to creates unique, design-led gifts and lifestyle accessories ranging from keyrings and mugs to gardening tools that are sold in boutique independent retailers such as Bloomsbury and large multiple retailers including John Lewis and Boots.
Founded in 2005 in Bath, last year the firm was acquired by D C Thomson, publisher of The Beano and The Dandy, in a move that has accelerated its expansion.
That has included a move across Bath city centre from Walcot Street to three floors of the recently refurbished 1970s office block 20 Manvers Street, which will give it space for further growth.
The Brand & Lifestyle Licensing Awards are owned and organised by Max Publishing.
