Passionate about fine fragrance, Chairman of Judges Catherine Mitchell has for the past 18 years worked for IFF, one of the world’s leading creators and suppliers of fragrance. During her career she has worked for IFF in Paris as well as an exciting two year term at the global headquarters in New York.

She currently holds the post of Business Development Director and, in a fascinating career, has helped develop fragrances for international brands as well as niche product lines.

Born in Casablanca, Jacques Azagury was educated in London. Following courses at the London College of Fashion and St Martins School of Art, he was talent spotted by Browns who bought his first collection. Azagury joined the London Designer Collections in 1980 launching his ‘New Romantics’ collection, which was snapped up by Harvey Nichols, Harrods, Saks, Bergdorfs and Barneys.

In 1987 Jacques opened his flagship store in Knightsbridge specialising in eveningwear for an international clientele and is now considered one of Britain’s foremost designers.

Sally Brampton began her career on Vogue before moving to the Observeras fashion editor. She launched Ellein the UK, which she edited for five years, leaving to write full time. She has published several novels, a television documentary and a screenplay, and has written extensively for all major national newspapers and magazines.

She is a Visiting Professor at Central St Martins College of Art and Design. Sally writes a weekly column on emotional issues ‘Aunt Sally’ for theSunday Times.

Lady Selina Hastings is a writer and journalist. After leaving Oxford, her first job was at Hatchard’s bookshop, after which she worked for 14 years on the Daily Telegraph and 8 years as literary editor of Harper's & Queen.  A Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, she has judged the Booker, Whitbread, British Academy, Ondaatje and Duff Cooper prizes, and the UK Biographers’ Award.

Selina has written biographies of Nancy Mitford, Evelyn Waugh, Rosamond Lehmann and Somerset Maugham.  She has also written a number of books for children.

Sarah Mower is a highly respected fashion journalist, critic and style-commentator who is a contributing editor to US  Vogue and style.com.  She writes a regular column for The Telegraph and edited A Journal of Fashion Illustration.

In addition she has recently become the British Fashion Council’s first Ambassador for Emerging Talent.

Annalise Quest joined Harrods in 1997 and for a three year period was Buyer for the Beauty Apothecary, leaving in 2002 to join the American spa brand Bliss.. During her five years at Bliss, Annalise oversaw a 500% growth of the company, becoming Vice-President of Global Sales in 2004, which meant her time was divided between London and New York.

After her successful time at Bliss, Annalise accepted an invitation to return to Harrods in 2007 as Head of Beauty, with responsibility for the Beauty division, comprising Perfumery & Cosmetics, Beauty Apothecary and the Urban Retreat salon and spa.