From Highland to Mayfair: Brilliantly Brave's Amazing Night at The Henries
The Henries adventure began before dawn, with Jean making the journey from Inverness Airport - where the signs still proudly display in Gaelic - to the bright lights of that London for the greeting card industry's most prestigious night of the year.
The Royal Lancaster Hotel in Mayfair provided a suitably glamorous backdrop for the industry's biggest celebration. Jean made it a proper girls' night out, sharing accommodation with the wonderful Tracey from Progressive Greetings - because even award ceremonies are better when shared with friends!
The evening was a feast of entertainment, hosted by comedian George Zacharopoulos. From real Roman coins and togas to the fabulous drag queen Ruby Violet, casino tables, and airbrush tattoo station, The Henries proved they know how to throw a party.
It was great for a nine-month-old upstart from an actual Scottish village to be mixing it with the greeting card industry's biggest names at their equivalent of the Oscars. Our "Gratitude Galore" range stood shoulder-to-shoulder with works from some of the most respected names in the business in the hotly contested "Best Contemporary Trend" category.
While we didn't bring home the trophy (congratulations to the deserving winners, Cath Tate Cards!), being named among the six best contemporary ranges launched in the UK this year is an achievement that has us beaming. To put it in perspective - from all the greeting cards launched in the past year, ours was judged among "the best" (just not quite the "bestest"!).
We're in incredible company with our fellow finalists:
- Raspberry Blossom
- Hotchpotch
- Earlybird Designs
- Stormy Knight
- Lola Designs
A special shout out must go to Lex from Little Roglets for their well-deserved win in "Best Cute Range"!
The entire evening was a testament to the vibrant, supportive community that is the UK greeting card industry. The warmth and welcome we received from industry veterans was overwhelming, proving that in this industry, there's room for everyone who has a story to tell and a purpose to serve.
Looking ahead, we're more inspired than ever to continue our mission of transforming well-wishes into wellbeing. Being recognised at this level shows that our purpose-driven approach resonates far beyond our Highland home. Who knows? Maybe next year we'll be back - but for now, we're just grateful to have been part of this incredible celebration of creativity and community.
About Brilliantly Brave
Brilliantly Brave is a purpose-driven greeting card publisher based in Moray, Scotland. Founded in 2024, the business creates beautifully designed cards that celebrate diversity, promote mental wellbeing, and directly fund community mental health initiatives. By channelling 100% of profits into local support services, we're pioneering a new model of social enterprise that proves commercial success and social impact can go hand in hand.
