Hosted in the elegant surroundings of Rosewood London, journalist and editor Nina-Sophia Miralles chaired the conversation, delving into the impact of Asian consumers in London and their relationship to British luxury. Equally important is the effect of high-end Asian designers who are challenging the narrative, exploring their own heritage and introducing it to our audience. Our expert guest speakers for the night were Ethan Koh and Michael Ward.

Ethan Koh is the London-based designer and founder of already legendary brand Ethan K. His couture leather business carries Asian influence in the perfect East meets West twist. A fourth-generation artisan from an exotic skins business, Ethan’s brand has seen a meteoric rise in a mere eight years. Today he is stocked exclusively in Harrods in London, Galeries Lafayette in Paris and TSUM in Moscow. He counts Princess Beatrice and Sofia Richie amongst his clients.

Michael Ward, managing director of Harrods and chairman of Walpole – the official sector body which promotes and protects British luxury worldwide. His position at the helm of the iconic department store and Knightsbridge landmark gives Michael a unique insight into consumer habits, and since joining the business in 2005, he has embarked on a programme of significant business development enabling Harrods to become the unrivalled retail model it is today.