The sixth edition of The Furniture Awards, which took place at this year's January Furniture Show, saw exhibiting hopefuls put their best foot (well, new range) forward in a bid to be crowned best in class. The deserving winner of this year's Upholstery category was Collins & Hayes, for its entry, Bailey & Banks …
Since acquiring the IP rights to the heritage brand in 2017, Sofa Brands International – whose stable already comprised Parker Knoll, Duresta and G Plan – has moved mountains in a bid to recapture some of Collins & Hayes’ earlier glories.
Under the stewardship of Jo Slaven, Collins & Hayes has struck a fresh balance between traditional form and contemporary appeal, and in the year in which the brand celebrates its 150th anniversary, Bailey & Banks exemplifies this strategy.
Jo describes the Bailey sofa as “a celebration of our design versatility and our ongoing commitment to casual style”, while the accompanying Banks chair reinvents a classic design, Beagle.
A range of options is offered, from fixed to slip cover, natural fibre fabrics and soft leathers, while stockists will be supported by a consumer marketing campaign and lifetime frame promise.
“Sofa Brands International have been custodians of the Collins & Hayes brand for three short years,” says Jo. “Since then, we’ve relaunched the business and have a nationwide distribution of over 100 stockists, with a growing commercial appeal and a strong product offering.
“In our 150th year our newest ranges, Bailey and Banks, are a celebration of our values, taking the best of our archive of collections but very much looking forward to the future.”
The judges said: “Uncompromising, and near-faultless in terms of execution. Despite the extremely high quality of entries in this category, Bailey & Banks really stands out. Its exudes quality, fashionably reinventing a traditional look for the 21st century, and offering a great, welcoming sit.”
From left: Nick Garratt (MD, BFM); Rob Walker (MD, Orbital Vision); Meisha-Grace Nicely (head of brands, Sofa Brands International); Jo Slaven (sales & marketing director, Collins & Hayes); Paul Farley (editor-in-chief, Furniture News); and Cleere Scamell (event director, January Furniture Show)
