The Women in Furniture Network (WIFN) will be uniting for their Celebrate Success event on the 21 January 2025, at 5:30pm at the Social Studio in Hall 2 at the January Furniture Show, NEC Birmingham, the UK’s biggest furniture event. WIFN has brought together an outstanding line-up of senior women making this event a must-attend for all those in the furniture industry to be inspired and connect with like-minded professionals.
After the panel, attendees can mingle and network over drinks in a supportive and empowering atmosphere, perfect for bolstering those connections.
Meet Our Panellists:
Sarah Bianchi – Owner and Lead Buyer, Arighi Bianchi
Sarah is the fourth generation of the Bianchi family to run the 170-year-old furniture and interiors business and has worked for the family business for 25 years. After her ascension to CEO in April 2021, Sarah is leading a 5-year growth strategy and significant investment in the brand and shopper experience, with the aim of cementing the brand legacy in 2024 (the 170th anniversary year of Arighi Bianchi) and beyond.
Victoria Darnell – International furniture designer and merchandiser, Hooker Furnishings
With a BA in Product Design from the London College of Fashion, Victoria moved from fashion to furniture and spent nine years at The Cotswold Company as a furniture buyer, specialising in product design, sourcing, and range building. Her passion for furniture design and product development drives her current consulting role with Hooker Furnishings, where she is set to launch an exciting new collection with the brand, debuting at JFS in Hall 1.
Katy Hawes – Founder, Grace & Favour
Katy Hawes is the director of Grace & Favour, a family-run business specialising in luxury sofas, chairs, furniture, and accessories. Launched earlier this year as a sister company to Vintage Sofa Co. Yorkshire, Grace & Favour focuses on combining comfort, design, and quality craftsmanship. With over 10 years of experience in the UK furniture industry, Katy, alongside her husband Peter, built Vintage Sofa Co. into an award-winning, multi-million-pound business. Known for her creativity, eye for detail, and love of glamour, Katy brings her expertise and passion for design to every piece at Grace & Favour, which can be seen on their beautiful stand in Hall 5.
Gisela Lancaster – Head of Buying, Sofology
With over 20 years in the home sector, Gisela is an experienced retail buyer who began her career at Makro and advanced to Buyer and Senior Buyer roles at N Brown Group, where she successfully quadrupled the furniture category and developed key product and sourcing strategies.
Currently, Gisela is focused on redefining Sofology’s design identity and enhancing customer experience, leading to a 120-point improvement in ratings post-COVID. Her global travels have helped her build strong supplier relationships, ensuring the brand delivers top-quality products. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring interiors, shopping, and travelling for fresh trends and inspiration.
Register for JFS now to gain access to WIFN’s Celebrate Success event – https://january-furniture-show-2025.reg.buzz/interiors-monthly?utm_source=partner&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=jfs25visprom&utm_content=interiorsmonthlydigital
For media enquiries, please contact:
Francesca Sequeira, Senior Marketing Executive, Clarion Retail 0207 384 8158, [email protected]
About the Women In Furniture Network
The team behind the Furniture Show’s have created the Women In Furniture Network which is a dynamic and inspiring community dedicated to empowering and celebrating women in the furniture industry. With a mission to foster inclusivity, diversity, and professional growth, WIFN provides a supportive platform where women from across the furniture industry can connect, collaborate, and thrive. From designers, manufacturers or retailers, WIFN offers a vibrant space for women to exchange ideas, share expertise, and break down barriers.
About the January Furniture Show
For 36 years, the January Furniture Show has been the premier destination for trade buyers and brands to connect, buy, sell, learn, and network. Across four days, January Furniture Show welcomes the highest calibre of brands and buyers to NEC Birmingham, where more than 50,000 products will be showcased across the event’s distinctive sectors. In 2025, the
show will run from 19-22 January. Perfectly placed in the retail calendar, this means that visitors will be amongst the very first to see the launch of new-season styles and trends.
January Furniture Show sits within Clarion Retail’s portfolio of leading retail trade events, providing additional opportunities for its audience to source, learn and network through sister shows Manchester Furniture Show, Top Drawer, Home & Gift, Scotland Trade Fair as well as the digital platform, REVEAL.
