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Boodles (company)

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Boodles
Company typePrivate
IndustryLuxury goods, Jewellery
Founded1798
Headquarters
Liverpool, England
ProductsJewellery
Websitewww.boodles.com

Boodles is a privately held British luxury jeweller and jewellery designer group founded in 1798. Boodles is a family company located in Liverpool. It also has stores in London, Manchester, Dublin, Leeds and Chester. Their flagship store is found on New Bond Street, London.

History

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Early history

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The company Kirk & Co. was originally founded in 1798 in Hull. In 1878, Henry Wainright began apprenticing in making watches and jewelry under his uncle, William Wainright. In 1889, Henry Wainright began managing Kirk & Co.'s new location in Liverpool. He later bought the company and renamed it to H. Wainright & Sons when his sons, Herbert and Harold, joined the business in 1898.[1]

In 1910 the two sons established their own business with the purchase of Boodle and Dunthorne. After Harold was killed in WWI, Henry and Herbert chose to merge H. Wainwright & Sons with Boodle and Dunthorne. They relocated the business to the corner of Lord Street and North John Street in Liverpool, which remains Boodles’ head office today.[1]

In 1965 Boodles opened a second store in Chester and a third one in Manchester in 1982.[2][3] In the 1990s, Nicholas and Michael Wainwright took over from their father, Anthony Wainwright. Boodles opened several stores in London.[4]

2000s: Opening in London

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In 2004, the company rebranded from "Boodle & Dunthorne" to "Boodles" to sound more modern.[5] In 2007, this store relocated to Bond Street, becoming the flagship showroom and solidifying Boodles’ position in British luxury jewellery. The brand later expanded with boutiques in Harrods, The Savoy Hotel, The Royal Exchange and Sloane Street.[6]

2010s: Rebranding

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In 2012, Boodles launched its e-commerce platform, allowing the company to reach a global audience online.[7] In 2014, Channel 4 aired The Million Pound Necklace, a documentary showcasing Boodles' creation of the Greenfire Suite, a jewellery collection made of emeralds valued at £2.8 Million.[8]

In 2015, Boodles collaborated with The Royal Ballet to create the Pas de Deux collection, which featured jewelry inspired by ballet.[9][10][11] Boodles launched their new showroom at No.6 Sloane Street in early 2017.[12][13] In 2018, to mark its 220th anniversary, Boodles partnered with Patek Philippe to produce a special World Time wristwatch with Liverpool positioned at the 12 o'clock spot.[14][15]

2020s

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In 2020, Boodles launched The Secret Garden Collection, inspired by the film adaptation of the classic novel, with a portion of proceeds supporting the NSPCC.[16] In 2021, Boodles introduced the Peace of Mined Collection, focusing on diamonds from the Cullinan Mine.[17][18]

In 2022, Boodles launched the Around the World in 16 Days Collection, inspired by Anthony Wainwright’s 1962 globe-trotting journey.[19][20] In 2022, Boodles won a Gold Medal at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show for the Boodles Travel Garden, inspired by Anthony Wainwright’s travels.[21][22]

In 2024, Boodles created The National Gallery Collection for the National Gallery’s 200th anniversary, also sponsoring a garden at the Chelsea Flower Show called NG200, inspired by gallery paintings.[23] In November, sponsored the Hay Wain Constable Exhibition, and designed a line of brooches inspired by Constable's works.[24][25] In 2024, Boodles worked with Bentley to create a unique ‘one-of-one’ Boodles Bentley, which was unveiled at the Jack Barclay showroom.[26][27][28]

Boodles now has ten stores including five in London: Savoy Hotel, New Bond Street, Sloane Street, The Royal Exchange, Brompton Road and Harrods, three in North West England; (Liverpool, Chester and Manchester), one in Leeds, West Yorkshire and one in Dublin, Ireland.[29][citation needed]

Products

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The Boodles Raindance Ring, selected in 2008 to appear in the Victoria and Albert Museum's permanent jewellery collection.

In its early years, Boodles was a silversmith, watchmaker, and jeweler. During the 20th century the company provided chronographs and watches to air and naval officers. It also designed and crafted cups for sporting and non-sporting competitions including the solid gold trophy for the winner of the Grand National.[30]

In the second half of the 20th century, Boodles emerged as a retailer of bespoke jewellery. The company sources diamonds and other gemstones, and designs its own range of jewellery.[31]

Emma Thompson, at the Bond Street flagship store launch party in 2015.

Honours

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In 2009, the Boodles Raindance Ring was selected to appear in the Victoria and Albert Museum's permanent jewellery collection.[30]

In 2023, Boodles was awarded the Walpole British Luxury Brand of the Year.[32]

Events

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The Boodles Boxing Ball is a biennial charity event held at the Grosvenor Park Hotel on Park Lane in London and at the Old Billingsgate Market since 2025, with all proceeds going to charities such as the Starlight Children's Foundation.[33]

From 2022 to 2023, Pure Brilliance: The Boodles Story exhibition was held at the Lady Lever Art Gallery.[34][35] Between 2023 and 2024, Boodles sponsored the Discover Constable & The Hay Wain exhibition at the National Gallery.[25][36]

The company hosts The Boodles Tennis at Stoke Park and is the title sponsor of The Cheltenham Gold Cup.[37] In 2022, the company was a key supporter of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, winning a Gold Medal for The Boodles Travel Garden.[38][39][40]

References

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  1. ^ a b Houston, Nicky (4 May 2024). "A Guide to Boodles Jewellery". www.dawsonsauctions.co.uk. Retrieved 16 May 2025.
  2. ^ "Boodles of Chester". visit-chester.co.uk. Archived from the original on 21 February 2014.
  3. ^ "LDP Business Magazine December 2010". issuu. Retrieved 27 February 2017.[dead link]
  4. ^ Davis, Glynn (13 February 2012). "Retail Species – The establishment – Michael Wainwright of Boodles". Retail Insider. Archived from the original on 18 February 2012.
  5. ^ Harilela, Divia (4 November 2011). "Oodles of Boodles". South China Morning Post. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  6. ^ "Who Are Boodles? A Journey Of A Lifetime". S&R Jewellers. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  7. ^ Retailer, Internet (27 June 2012). "British jeweler Boodles launches an e-commerce site". Digital Commerce 360. Retrieved 4 April 2025.
  8. ^ "Review: Maria Doulton on the Channel 4 documentary The Million Pound Necklace: Inside Boodles". www.thejewelleryeditor.com. 21 March 2014. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
  9. ^ "Boodles Pas de Deux Collection". Centurion Magazine. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  10. ^ "Boodles jewellery: the new Pas de Deux collection is a perfectly choreographed new collection of diamond jewels". www.thejewelleryeditor.com. 17 May 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  11. ^ "Boodles collection inspired by Royal Ballet". SPHERE Magazine. 13 March 2015. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  12. ^ "Boodles - Sloane Street". 16 June 2021. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  13. ^ "Boodles secure London Sloane St showroom with Warrior sliding door". naj.co.uk. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  14. ^ Corder, Rob (18 November 2019). "Patek Philippe Anniversary World Time Watch Boosts Sales And Profits At Boodles". Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  15. ^ Journal, The Gentleman's. "Boodles 220th anniversary Patek Philippe | Gentleman's Journal". www.thegentlemansjournal.com. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  16. ^ "Boodles new 'Secret Garden' fine jewellery collection". Katerina Perez. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  17. ^ "Peace of Mined: Boodles' New Jewels Honour Queen's Platinum Jubilee". Katerina Perez. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  18. ^ "Boodles - Walpole Member". www.thewalpole.co.uk. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  19. ^ Gloss, The (3 July 2023). "A Family Journey: Around Europe in 10 Days". The Gloss Magazine. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  20. ^ Gloss, The (18 October 2021). "The Around-The-World Trip That Inspired Boodles' Latest Collection". The Gloss Magazine. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  21. ^ Garden, House & (24 May 2022). "All the medal winners from the 2022 Chelsea Flower Show". House & Garden. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  22. ^ "Medals announced for RHS Chelsea Flower Show gardens 2022". Gardens Illustrated. 24 May 2022. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  23. ^ Diamond, Jessica (28 May 2024). "A Boodles collection inspired by National Gallery icons". www.thetimes.com. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  24. ^ "Boodles Constable Collection". www.naj.co.uk. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  25. ^ a b "English Painter John Constable Inspires Boodles Jewels". Katerina Perez. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  26. ^ Ayling, Kim (9 April 2024). "Bentley Mulliner and Boodles Collab on One-off Continental". Elite Traveler. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  27. ^ "Boodles and Mulliner create one-of-one Bentley Continental GTC". Driven. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  28. ^ "Bentley News 2024 : Mulliner and Boodles create a jewel of a Bentley". Bentley Newsroom. Retrieved 30 April 2025.
  29. ^ "Boodles Fine, Bespoke Jewellery - The Royal Exchange, London". www.boodles.com. Retrieved 30 June 2017.
  30. ^ a b "Liverpool jewels in V&A show". Lancashire Life. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
  31. ^ Ebrahimi, Helia. "Boodles bucks the trend with diamond business". Telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
  32. ^ "Walpole Awards | Michael Wainwright on Boodles' journey since winning Walpole's British Luxury Brand of the Year award". www.thewalpole.co.uk. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  33. ^ Eden, Richard. "William's former belle and Pippa are boxing clever in red". Telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
  34. ^ Butler, Rebecca (29 September 2022). "Boodles exhibition to open in October". Retrieved 13 May 2025.
  35. ^ "Pure Brilliance". National Museums Liverpool. Retrieved 13 May 2025.
  36. ^ "Constable Artworks Inspire New Designs at Boodles". Bond Street. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
  37. ^ Futterman, Matthew (1 July 2023). "Before Wimbledon, There's Practice on Grass at an English Garden Party". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
  38. ^ Collins, Niamh. "Crafting a jewel: Designer Catherine MacDonald on capturing the magic of gemstones in the Boodles Raindance Garden for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025". theenglishgarden.co.uk. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
  39. ^ "The Boodles N200 Garden at the Chelsea Flower Show 2024". naj.co.uk. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
  40. ^ "Boodles are bringing a Show Garden to RHS Chelsea 2024 / RHS". www.rhs.org.uk. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
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