Belmond opts for youth for Cadogan project

Global luxury travel brand Belmond has chosen two young designers to bring on board for its Belmond Hotel Cadogan in Chelsea, to supply design products for the London hotel’s scheduled reopening later this year.

Product and furniture designer Mac Collins and sustainable design advocate Antonia (Toni) Packham were named by Belmond as their choices from a pool of 3,000 young hopeful designers who displayed their work at the New Designers exhibition in Islington, London.

Collins, who is just about to graduate from the University of Northumbria, exhibited his chair design ‘Iklwa’ - an ultramarine throne, inspired by the aesthetic of 20th Century funk and rap movement of Afrofuturism. It was praised by judges as “a thought-provoking, culturally enriched and beautiful piece of craftsmanship that demonstrates, in its exciting use of colour and considered appreciation of shape, an understanding of the power of design to evoke emotion, capture the imagination and pay homage to heritage”.

Packham, meanwhile, exhibited a number of products made from reclaimed plastic, including kitchenware.

“Packham’s beautiful designs and intricate details captured the judges’ eyes, while the story of sustainability and craftsmanship spoke to the spirit of the Belmond brand,” said a statement.

The two will be integrated into the Belmond design team and will be commissioned to create a bespoke design to be manufactured for and featured in Belmond Hotel Cadogan.

"We were blown away by Mac and Toni’s raw talent and fresh-thinking approach to design," said Belmond senior vice president of brand and marketing, Arnaud Champenois.

"We are extremely excited to champion two young British designers who we believe are set to shape the future of creative design industry. Their work will now feature in one of the most beautiful hotels in London.”

Collins and Packham will be commissioned to create a bespoke design to be manufactured for and featured in Belmond Hotel Cadogan

Toni Packham exhibited a number of products made from reclaimed plastic

Mac Collins, who is just about to graduate from the University of Northumbria, exhibited his chair design ‘Iklwa’

Global luxury travel brand Belmond has chosen two young designers to bring on board for its Belmond Hotel Cadogan in Chelsea, to supply design products for the London hotel’s scheduled reopening later this year. Product and furniture designer Mac Collins and sustainable design advocate Antonia (Toni) Packham were named by Belmond as their choices from a pool of 3,000 young hopeful designers who displayed their work at the New Designers