LONDON, January 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

John Ayton and Annoushka Ducas are both awarded MBEs for their contributions to the British jewelry industry

Boticca.com investors John Ayton and Annoushka Ducas have been awarded MBEs in the New Year's Honours list for their contributions as stalwarts of the British jewelry industry.

Previously, husband and wife team John and Annoushka were best known for having co-founded Links of London, a business they grew into a global luxury brand with sales of over £50 million, before selling it to Follie Follie in 2006. Annoushka and John then founded the fine jewelry company, Annoushka, in 2009.

After leaving Links of London, John invested in a luxury watch business, Bremont Watch Company, later becoming Chairman of the company. John is also director of Walpole, an organization aimed at serving and promoting British luxury brands, and founder of Walpole Brands of Tomorrow, mentoring and supporting the best of emerging British talent in the luxury sector over the last five years. John and Annoushka became investors in Boticca.com as part of its $2.5 million Series A financing in June 2011 and John serves a director on the board of the company.

"On behalf of the entire Boticca team and community, we would like to congratulate John and Annoushka on this prestigious achievement" says Boticca.com's CEO and co-founder Kiyan Foroughi. "We're absolutely honoured to count them among our investors and mentors. We look forward to working together for many years to come to change the fashion accessories industry and to build Boticca into the platform for top independent designers of jewelry, bags and accessories."

Headquartered in London, Boticca.com's team scours the world for the very best independent designers and creates an experience of global discovery by connecting them with a truly international customer base. From feather earrings to messenger bags and silk scarves, the site offers a variety of unique, exquisite pieces.

About Boticca.com

Boticca.com is the global online destination for accessories that connects customers directly with top independent designers all over the world. Boticca.com makes it easier and more enjoyable for customers to discover high-quality, unique jewelry, handbags  and fashion accessories with a meaningful story. The marketplace is curated and edited by a team of fashion experts, designers, stylists and collectors, who illustrate the culture, stories and inspiration behind the collections on the site. With headquarters in London, Boticca.com has handpicked more than 250 emerging designers from over 40 countries and offers a selection of more than 6,000 pieces of jewelry and fashion accessories.

SOURCE Boticca.com