After three-quarters of a century, the Academy Awards still towers above all other award ceremonies. It represents the pinnacle of cinematic excellence and bestows on its winners a recognition of achievement to which all in show business aspire.

Designed in 1928, the Oscar - the gold plated naked knight holding a crusader's sword - has stood the test of time. It is an exemplar of good design, steeped in the Classical tradition. The film reel on which the statue stands has five spokes signifying the original five branches of the Academy: actors, writers, directors, producers and technicians. And although the world and cinema have changed considerably, the statue has remained the same: 34cm and 3.85kg of simple stylised design whose name has now become a benchmark of quality.

It is known the world over, consistently understood to represent the highest quality. Its production is limited to only 50 a year and ownership by invitation only, with distribution restricted to one venue, once a year. It enables the holder to charge a premium for their services, and despite being a totem of US cultural imperialism, it has lost none of its lustre. It is arguably the ultimate premium brand.