Sybarite Architects this week received the Queen’s Award for International Trade from Businesses Secretary, Sajid Javid. Specialists in providing tailored, timeless design to luxury retailers, the London based architects were recognised for their extensive work in the booming Chinese fashion market.
The annual awards bestowed by the Queen are widely regarded as the UK’s most prestigious business honour. Sybarite’s ambitious and innovative work in transforming one of Asia’s largest shopping malls, SKP (Shin Kong Place, Beijing), into China’s premier luxury department store has been recognised in the 50th year of the awards.
Malcolm Cohen, UKTI Head of Trade, said: “I am so pleased to see Sybarite has been recognised for their fantastic achievements in exporting. They have completed a large amount of innovative work worldwide and are making their mark on one of the largest shopping malls in China. Due to their success, the business has grown substantially and it is great to be able to support them as they continue to grow.”
Sybarite, founded by Torquil McIntosh and Simon Mitchell, has created innovative retail spaces all over the world blending fashion and function, style and design for brands including Joseph, Marni, 3ina and Alberta Ferretti, before collaborating with UKTI to enter the Chinese market.
“The Queen’s Awards celebrate the best of British business and we’re very proud to be one of this year’s International Award winners. The Chinese market is set to have a huge impact on the world of fashion and we’re honoured that our brand of bespoke design has been recognised for its role in this retail revolution,” said Torquil McIntosh, Director, Sybarite Architects.
Sybarite is transforming SKP into a luxury department store destination, regenerating seven floors of retail over three years, as well as developing a new corporate logo and creating a new blueprint for SKP’s retail vision. The recently re-opened first floor has already seen unparalleled sales.
2016 is a poignant year for the Queen’s Awards scheme in what is also Her Majesty’s 90th birthday year. Sybarite will now be able to use the revered Queen’s Awards emblem for the next five years along with more than 240 other UK businesses which have been commended for their success in Innovation, Sustainable Development and International Trade.