The Best of British Show, a premier British cultural exhibition, opened with a grand ceremony at the Shanghai Exhibition Center last week. Nearly 10,000 VIP guests and trade visitors arrived on the first day. Present at the opening ceremony were numerous distinguished guests, including representatives of Media 10 Star, which organized the event. The guests gathered to cut the ribbon, marking the opening of the show.
“We’re delighted to be supporting Media 10 on Best of British. Now in its third year, Best of British is a unique showcase of some of the UK’s most innovative brands. It provides the perfect platform for UK brands across a range of sectors to connect with consumers and trade buyers in China. From education to retail to food, Best of British is showcasing the best in quality, excellence and innovation from the UK,” said Chris Wood, British Consul-General Shanghai.
Following the theme of 'Power of the UK,' Best of British 2019 showcased the best of UK lifestyle, innovation and excellence. Visitors explored a selection of 300 British brands across fashion, lifestyle, design, food, education and technology sectors.
The exhibition hall transported guests to the heart of London, with six onsite attractions spread out across the show, including the Lifestyle Stage, Taste of Britain Theater, the Plough Bar, Garrard Jewelry Museum, Best of British VIP Lounge by Jaguar Land Rover and the La Fantasia Restaurant. The four-day exhibition featured over 200 live events, including more than 50 performances, 40 world-class culinary showcases and 40 fashion shows and panels and interactive discussions with over 100 different industry experts and specialists.
Michelin-Star Chefs Showcase Fine British cuisine
What snacks are offered at an authentic British afternoon tea? Which table utensils are used? What are the right table manners? The popular La Fantasia Restaurant featured long queues, as it served up traditional UK cuisine, afternoon tea and other fine western-style cakes. The Taste of Britain Theater featured dishes from culinary icons such as Lin Guoyu, Mike Gao, Scott Melvin and Candy Queen Vivan Chan.
A Fashion Frenzy at the Lifestyle Stage
In the fashion realm, brands like Ted Baker, Holland & Sherry, Barbour, True Decadence, Seraphine showcased some of their brand new pieces. It ended up being a tremendous UK fashion show with unique fashion interpretations.
2019 Award Winners
The UK has long been known as a leading innovator, providing the world’s optimal environment for business startups and operations. Many British lifestyle and high-tech brands have stood out from the competition, offering new opportunities for cooperation and bilateral trade relations. To celebrate the innovative spirit of British brands, Best of British 2019 joined hands with the China-Britain Business Council to launch the Lifestyle Innovation Awards program. Amid rounds of applause, nine brand names took home this year’s debut awards: British Airways, Jaguar Land Rover China, LOTUS, VERTU, ghd, Elvie, BROMPTON, DavidHugh and IAM.
‘Study UK’ Showcase Launches Wave of Green Innovation
The UK has always been one of the top overseas study destinations for Chinese students. Onsite, the British Council joined hands with five UK universities to share the UK education sector’s commitment to green, sustainable development. Numerous aspiring students and their parents gathered information at the event, as part of their preparation in starting their UK study journey.
Immersive UK Cultural Experience
The discerning British have high expectations when it comes clothing, food, lifestyle and transportation. From classic European style to creative modern design, UK designers excel at setting trends and interpreting the classics. The show’s youngest visitors got to interact with Paddington the Bear and Peter the Bunny, while other visitors experienced European antiques at the Classic Lifestyle Hall.
Smart Technologies Enhance UK Lifestyle Showcase
Even more Chinese visitors were in awe of the UK’s beautiful beaches, ancient castles, countless museums, romantic hotels and royal horse races. Many visitors agree that Best of British inspired them to explore the UK. As an aviation pioneer, British Airways offered an awe-inspiring virtual-reality experience that showcased its latest luxurious business and first-class suites. As the exclusive VIP Lounge sponsor at Best of British, Jaguar Land Rover, UK’s leading luxury auto manufacturer, put multiple models on display. Throughout the four-day event, Jaguar Land Rover worked with a range of top luxury British brands to launch numerous activities in the VIP Lounge.
Fashionable Products Used by British Royalty
Brand name products, as seen in royal palaces and parks across London, never stop winning the public’s admiration. Royal culture is embedded in British life. Featured products were Dewar’s, Fulton umbrellas, Kent combs, Corgi socks, Swarovski Optik binoculars, Walkers cookies and so much more.
The first day of Best of British was open only to trade visitors, VIP guests and media, with numbers totalling nearly 10,000. Over the weekend, the show was open to the general public. People interested in UK culture and lifestyle got to experience it all.
[All images courtesy of Best of British]
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