On Thursday 5th November over 500 BCFA members and guests gathered at iconic luxury London hotel The Dorchester for the BCFA Annual Luncheon; the highlight in the industry and association networking calendar.
The Dorchester was a fitting venue for the luncheon’s five-star guest list; comprised of leading names in the contract furnishing industry. With tickets selling out in under 24 hours, the event’s atmosphere looked set to be electric from the outset and guests were in a jubilant mood as they toasted a successful year for business, the association and the industry as a whole. Top-class entertainment from comedian Hugh Dennis only added to the already celebratory mood.
Founder of Fox Linton Associates and BCFA member, Mary Fox Linton, was presented with the ‘BCFA and Panaz Lifetime Achievement Award’ by Tony Attard OBE for her services to the contract design industry. Previous recipients of this prestigious award include Sir Terence Conran, Rodney Fitch and last year’s winner Margaret Miller.
Founding her first studio in the 1950s when interior design was only just beginning to establish itself as an industry, Mary’s designs at the time were truly pioneering. Favouring minimalist, contemporary and geometric shapes and tones, they stood in stark contrast to the traditional decor of the time.
A believer that ‘all things should be real’, Mary also favoured authentic pieces, in contrast to the reproduction furniture which rose in popularity during this decade. Founding Fox Linton Associates in the 1970s and acting as Head Consultant until 2014, the agency’s impressive and enviable client list to this day comprises some of the most prestigious UK and international hotels, spas, commercial spaces and private residences.
On winning the award, Mary commented: “The BCFA is without doubt one of the greatest furnishing organisations in existence today. I never thought that I would be the recipient of the BCFA Panaz Lifetime Achievement Award and I am truly honoured (and somewhat speechless!) to receive this award.”
On the success of the luncheon and the association’s achievements throughout the preceding year, BCFA Chairman Milan Cvetovic comments; “2015 has been a year of successes for the BCFA, including the launch of the Beyond Education campaign and introduction of a dedicated Northern council. I look forward to the developments and successes to follow in 2016”.
