Christmas is coming.....

I heard on the radio yesterday that it might be a white Christmas in London this year; I am so excited! I literally cannot remember the last white Christmas I had. Christmas, to me personally, means being with the ones you love and having fun, laughter and joy (not to mention fabulous food and wine...). The presents are not as important, but do look pretty under the tree! What I always love is gifts that have had thought and effor in, and that last. I am certainly not a fan of fast and disposable fashion, but instead opt for classic, sophisticated styles that will see me through many years to come. If you too love pieces like that, then look no further than BoBelle London's 'Noir' range:

Classic Black is always a winner; jazz it up with some beautiful jewellery, wear your hair up and tousled and stick on some gorgeous shoes. It is sophisticated, elegant and a colour that can take you from day to night.

Our Noir range is so elegant and luxurious; eel skin is one of the softest leathers you will find and BoBelle London's classic and on-trend styles will see you through season to season.

Gift boxes and dustbags are now available and we do ship internationally, making a BoBelle London accessory the perfect gift this Christmas. In addition, if you would like to locate your nearest stockist please do not hesitate to contact us.

Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and a fabulous New Year!

BoBelle London x

New ipad case launches!

I always still get excited when a new BoBelle accessory launches, and this one is no exception. Following the fabulous response to the leather iphone case, we have now introduced the matching leather ipad case. The ipad is incredibly popular here in the UK and it will no doubt be a firm favourite on people's 'wish list' this Christmas.

The leather ipad case (called 'Atlas') from BoBelle is a simple design. The ipad can gently be slotted in at the top of the case and then pulled out using the tab. As always, each is hand made and lovingly made using the stunning eel skin leather; incredibly soft, strong and durable. In addition, the Atlas comes in its own gift box, perfect for that special gift.

The ipad case has a matching friend, the Apollo iphone case. For all of those gadget-enthusiasts out there this is the perfect set for someone who is as style-conscious as they are practicality-conscious.

The Atlas leather ipad case and matching Apollo leather iphone case are available now at BoBelle London and in stores from Monday - Elys of Wimbledon and Fenwick Brent Cross.

Putting yourself out there....

Along my travels of growing and nurturing BoBelle, I have met an awful lot of budding entrepreneurs and aspiring fashion retailers. They generally have a common theme to their questions, mainly 'how do I make my business grow faster'. This, I believe, is a star question with not just one answer to it. My answer each time incorporates common sense with putting yourself out there.

What do I mean by 'putting yourself out there'? I mean take advantage of all opportunities and make things happen. However, don't expect it to be all plain sailing. When I first started I did the market stalls in the rain, wind and snow. I handed out leaflets. I posted flyers through peoples doors. I called up newspapers and bloggers, desperate for features for BoBelle. I participated in small shows. It was tough then and it is tough now. However, if you are passionate about your product/service, it is not such a chore. What is there in your field that you can grow or learn from? Do you have a mentor? Have you contacted your local Business Link? Do you attend seminars by like-minded businessmen and women? Are there any competitions you can enter?

A few months ago I read Marie Claire's 'Win Inspire and Mentor Programme'. With these sorts of things I always go by the mantra, 'nothing ventured, nothing gained'. With this in mind, I entered. Prior to that I put myself forward for the DediPower Digital Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Despite BoBelle London not being solely digital, I won the runner-up prize with Craig Martin, the CEO. From that I then was put forward for the Top 35 Women under 35 Award with Management Today, and indeed Red magazine's Top 20 Red Hot Women of 2010. I have met the most amazing people at these various events, and keep in contact with them. That is key. It is not always about 'what can they do for me' attitude, but rather, 'how can I nurture this relationship long term'.

The key to putting yourself out there is realising also to crawl before you can walk. Of course, you may dream of supplying your product globally to every large national and international retailer in the world. Don't lose sight of that dream, but don't ignore all of the small steps along the way. Build up your portfolio of contacts. Exhibit at small and large events and communicate with as many people as possible to tell them about your brand. This is vital - remember, people love to talk!!

It is not always easy growing a business. It can be a lonely time and is generally a 24/7 job. However, montior your growth and have small goals written down of what you want to achieve and when, this always helps and keeps you going when things get tough. Above all though, enjoy what you do and make sure this above all else shows when speaking to people - nothing is stronger than pure passion.

Claire Watt-Smith, Founder of BoBelle London
www.BoBelle.co.uk

Growing a business....

One of my guilty pleasures on a Sunday is to relax on the sofa, hot cup of tea in hand reading The Sunday Times. This Sunday we did exactly that. The 'Small Business' article in the Business section always interests me and this week was no exception. The title was 'People like us can put Britain back on its feet'. I am a positive person, well, I wouldn't be where I am today if I wasn't, and so this article really intrigued me. I do agree with what the government are doing at the moment; Britain is sat on a mountain of debt so gigantically massive that some drastic action is desperately needed. How can we get out of this recession? Inspire new entrepreneurs to set up their own empires? Feed people's imaginations to come the next Richard Branson, John Sainsbury, Philip Green or Mark Zuckerburg? I'd say that was a pretty good idea. The problem is how to inspire these people and where to do it. We have so many different organisations offering pretty much the same services, help and advice; business zone, business link and masses more. If you type in 'business advice' into Google you will find pages upon pages of 'advice'. It is quite literally, mind boggling. Talk about putting people off. Perseverance is needed and, back again, to that common sense.



I am a huge fan of common sense; there's nothing quite like common sense mixed in with gut-feelings. I think if you put a group of fellow entrepreneurs in the same room, those 2 traits would be hugely valuable assets to their success. Is it just solely those 2 elements though? No. Firstly, it depends on what 'success' is defined as. I have had a crazy past few months since giving up my part time job as a tutor for Business Studies and writing down a list of what I have achieved since going full time is actually very impressive. That, for me to admit, is something (being self-critical and always aspiring to more is embedded in me). The thing that people need to do is research people they admire and try to establish how they have 'succeeded'. Look at Richard Branson; how many failings has he had? Masses. Your best teacher is your last mistake, and he has certainly learned from his. I too have made mistakes along the way. You live and learn from them. One of my pieces of advice that I give to other entrepreneurs, whether they are established or wanting to be established, is to network. Keep your eyes and ears open at all times. Take advantage of every single opportunity there is. Believe in yourself and your product/service. Work your way up; don't even try to run before you can walk.



I have been speaking to a lot of fellow entrepreneurs recently, especially young female entrepreneurs, and they always ask 'how have I done it'? I go back to the common sense part, passion and determination. It has hardly been a walk in the park, and when I look back, I do actually wonder how I have got this far in such a short space of time, but always aspire for more. Work hard and we can only hope that the results pay off. Try your hardest and hope to succeed. The mantra 'all good things come to those who wait' works for me when my impatient side of my brain kicks in.



Right, off to do some more work now on BoBelle and see what the day brings....I will be speaking at London College of Fashion soon, as well as Royal Holloway University of London. If you would like more information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Claire

http://www.bobelle.co.uk/

Inspire and Mentor with Marie Claire and M&S

This past few weeks have been super crazy, so apologies for the late update; I shall get back to normal this week!

The mentoring with Kate Bostock has really taken off and is charging at super speed which is amazing, I couldn't have asked for anything more. We had a lovely feature on Marie Claire's website, see HERE for details. The inspire and mentor is just that, inspiring me and mentoring me to achieve my aims for BoBelle. Growing a business is such hard work, and sometimes when opportunities arise like this one has for me, you grab hold of it with all of your might and do not let go. It hasn't been easy though, you have to constantly put yourself out there and work, work, work.

I entered for the competition months and months ago now. I didn't hear anything and supposed I was unfortunate and not won. Little did I know that they just had a mountain of entries and so had to sieve through them all with a fine tooth comb! Marie Claire actually called me in July and asked if I could go for an interview as I was in the final two for winning Kate Bostock as a mentor. The interview was on my boyfriend's birthday at the Blue Finn Building in Southwark. Although nerves clearly kicked in, I was in awe of Kate Bostock and Kasie Davies; they have both achieved so much and are so talented, I was fascinated. They loved the BoBelle London brand, loved how I had grown the business and loved the potential the brand has for the future. I had won!! I couldn't believe it and was over the moon!

My first meeting with Kate took place at the HQ of M&S in Paddington. Kate wanted to crack on with achieving my objectives and we devised an action plan straight away. More will be revealed in the next month, but in the meantime, it is HUGE!

I have been desperately trying to get ready for Christmas now....our new Apollo iphone case has just launched, and we have the matching ipad case coming soon. Rich Mocha, stunning Ravishing Red, classic Black and a splashing of Turquoise and Purple hit BoBelle this season. Register your interest now by contacting the Sales Team - we shall send you out a newsletter on where to get yours from, or to order online. Elys of Wimbledon, Fenwick Brent Cross and Fenwick Newcastle are all going to be stockists of this limied edition accessory - ideal for Christmas gifts!

Sneek a peak here....

We have a busy week now as we have taken part in the Yummy Mummy event with Fenwick Brent Cross and have a meeting about another marketing collaboration with a certain superstar....

Have a good rest of the day and do contact us if you have any questions or comments!

Best wishes

Claire

BoBelle London's trip to Paris

Two weeks ago I had a crazy week what with determining the new logistics company, new deliveries, opening new accounts and getting ready for the trip to Paris, back to London and then off to Madrid. It was lots of fun though!

I absolutely love Paris and adore the heady culture, the spectacular architecture, the delicious cuisine and not to mention the hugely desirable and inspirational fashion. I love it even more when it is sunny, and what a sunny trip we had! It was truly stunning; 25 degrees so perfect for meandering the cobbled historic streets and soaking up the atmosphere. First stop, a good coffee by the Eiffel Tower and then onto some shopping and getting ready for the show we were attending, The Box and Pret a Porter. Pret a Porter is the biggest fashion tradeshow in Paris with huge brands exhibiting and showing off their latest collections. The Box is the designated Accessories section which BoBelle London is planning to exhibit at next season.

Pictured above, the stunning Eiffel Tower always takes my breath away...after a lovely fresh coffee and croissant it was time to get ready to hit the show....










As I mentioned, Pret a Porter and The Box are massive shows and for BoBelle London to exhibit there would be just phenomenal. Growing a brand is certainly not easy and to be at the stage of international growth is fantastic. Indeed, our first international stockist in the Netherlands, Sensuous, have just placed their second order with BoBelle London and we have ben seen in one of their national glossies, Zin magazine. Ooh, and if The Box goes really well in Paris, who knows, it might be New York next...!

BoBelle London will also be showcasing at Pure in February again and we will keep you posted on our developments from Paris! Keep reading though as soon I shall put up the latest news from our trip to Madrid which coincided with Vogue's night out - and what a night it was....

Top designers love eel skin

As you might be aware, eel skin leather is a wonderfully soft, incredibly supple and super strong. The more it is used, the softer it gets. It is such a unique material, despite being used for many years. It is a natural by-product of the food industry in Asia where eels are extensively farmed for their meat and the skin is discarded. We at BoBelle London love using this wonderful leather as it is perfect for accessories. We are not the only brand though; the likes of Alexander McQueen, Rupert Sanderson, Yves Saint Laurent and more have used this opulant by-product:

(This YSL beauty in scarlet is my personal favourite....)

The general public are demanding more longevity from their accessories and wish to incorporate fashion with ethics. That is what we at BoBelle London pride ourselves on. We want to offer our customers luxurious fashion that is a natural by-product and that is lovingly made. We are constantly updating styles and shapes and have some exciting new products in line for Christmas....!

We are now off to Paris for a lovely trade show (photos and blog updated next week); so have a lovely weekend and we hope to welcome you back to BoBelle London soon!

Best wishes,

Claire

Fabulous new stockists for BoBelle London

BoBelle London has had a very busy few weeks after Pure and getting ready for showcasing the autumn/winter collections. Watch this space for gorgeous new pictures of our stunning new season collections....

In the meantime, Bou Chic in Ryde, Isle of Wight, is a lovely new stockist. From the Gaia to the Melissa, if you are lucky enough to be escaping to the IOW this summer, do pop into this wonderful shop. You will find a wide selection of clothes, jewellery, gifts and more.

If you are heading to Scotland don't forget to pop into the lovely boutique, Hibiscus Flower. Sarah, the owner, is friendly, chatty and full of enthusiasm. She only stocks brands that are ethical, sustainable and fair trade; we certainly enjoy finding out all of the new brands she stocks! One of her fasvourite pieces from BoBelle London is the Hestia and Calypso Keyrings - incredibly popular, especially when we decorated ours on our 'tree'!

Eve in Witney, Oxfordshire, owned by the lovely Tamsin, is also a treasure-trove of not-on-the-high-street labels. We found some gorgeous gifts for a friend's wedding, not to mention a beautiful turquoise dress...!

Please do refer to our Stockists page at BoBelle's website to see where your local outlet is. This page is updated regularly and if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Next week images from our new collection, plus details of our fashion show and trips to Paris and Madrid will be uploaded - watch this space!

I look forward to welcoming you to BoBelle soon.

Best wishes,

Claire

BoBelle London gets ready for Pure

This past week has been incredibly busy with the run-up to Pure. Pure is the biggest fashion tradeshow - it takes place in the stuning Olympia old train station over three days. This year BoBelle London has its own stand, K8, and we can be found upstairs in the Accessories section.

From getting our look books printed, to designing new key pieces, we have certainly been busy preparing! The stand will hopefully look gorgeous; sophisticated, elegant and on-trend. We have a wonderful vintage iron corner unit, beautiful draped deep purple cutains and cute black rose doorknobs to hang our eel skin bags on. A stunning bunch of flowers will be positioned on our matching iron tables next to the opulant sheepskin rug. Our new collection of rich burgundies, deep plums and splashings of teal will blend in perfectly with our decorations.

Over 15,000 buyers are expected to attend Pure; so hopefully lots of new stockists for our growing brand. Please do keep an eye on our Stockists page to locate your nearest store selling BoBelle London.

Photos from the show will be uploaded next week, along with latest news updates!

Enjoy your weekend!

Claire at BoBelle London

BoBelle London - interview with the Evening Standard

It was a very exciting week last week as Rosamund Urwin from the Evening Standard interviewed me for a piece on entrepreneurs. The article was published in yesterday's paper and it was excellent publicity for myself and my growing brand. It was a very honest article which explained how hard it is to grow a business in a recession, let alone a fashion one. It also highlighted the need, in my opinion, for a strong network of family and friends to help you through the bad times. When I first started BoBelle I was doing small markets and fairs to get the brand name out there and to increase exposure. These were not easy and sometimes the weather was so bad it was just impossible! Still, without testing the market and getting feedback, I would not have known what the public thought. It was also a relatively cheap way of growing as the initial costs are not half as much as having a shop....A shop would be lovely in the end, but the costs are astronomical for a small brand, so you have to weigh up the priorities.

As a result, BoBelle London has grown organically and can now be found in over 60 boutiques and stores across the UK and Ireland. Now we also have our first international stockist, Sensuous in Amsterdam. We have a trade show next week, Pure, which is the biggest fashion trade show in the UK. We are really excited about this and we will be exhibiting our new range of fashion accessories, including a new men's line.

Please keep up to date on BoBelle's developments by registering for our newsletter and visiting the BoBelle London online boutique. Please do not hesitate to contact the Sales Team if we can help in any way.

Have a great weekend!

Claire

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20% off to celebrate BoBelle London winning award

The Founder of BoBelle London, Claire Watt-Smith, is celebrating winning the Top 35 Businesswomen Under 35 Award from Management Today. The piece was featured in The Sunday Times and Claire is thrilled at the achievement. Previous winners include Sarah Curran, the founder of My-Wardobe.com - a huge name in the world of business fashion.

To celebrate BoBelle London's success, we are offering 20% off all orders placed at http://www.bobelle.co.uk/ this weekend until Monday. Simply enter 'award' into the promotional box at the checkout and the discount will automantically be deducted. Discounts apply to all purchases made, including the new Melissa Handbag, Chloe Wallet and Theia Clutch Bag.

Please contact the Sales Team at sales@bobelle.co.uk if we can assist in any way.

We look forward to welcoming you back to BoBelle London.

Happy Shopping!

Ps, don't forget to follow us on Twitter and Facebook!

Amazing 2 weeks - new department stores and award

It has been an extremely busy past couple of weeks. I am not too sure where June has gone really! As well as preparing for my best friend's wedding, I had meetings lined up with The Times, Red Magazine, Ely's department store and Fenwick. All in all though, I could not have asked for better results.

Firstly, the meeting with The Times and then Red magazine was fantastic. They loved the new pieces in particular, the new Melissa Handbag and the Chloe Wallet, so fingers crossed...:

I am so thrilled with the new Melissa. It took me a long time to fully amend the style to make it perfect. As such, it now is designed so that it can be worn on the shoulder, across the body or as a clutch bag. Currently it comes in Light Grey, Mocha and Midnight Blue....perfect for heading into autumn (though light enough for summer). As always, the lining is BoBelle's deep red signature lining and all new styles now boast our 'BoBelle London' tag.

All of our boutiques love the new styles and I am thrilled to announce that BoBelle London can now be found in Ely's of Wimbledon and Selby's of Islington department stores. This is a huge achievement and reflects how the BoBelle London brand has evolved and grown. Please do have a look if you are passing, and of course, let me know your thoughts!

Whilst away in Portugal for my best friend's wedding I won the Top 35 Businesswomen Under 35 Award from Management Today. I was so honoured to have received this award and I am consequently being taken out, courtesy of Kleinwort Benson, next week at Fortnum and Mason. The award was featured in The Sunday Times Business section and the women who won range from entrepreneurs and creative designers through to financial experts and business acquisition specialists. To be on this list is fantastic as this exclusive journal has recognised our hard work, perseverance and ambition. This award is in its 10th year and last year Sarah Curran, the founder of My-Wardrobe.com, won too. I endeavour to make the BoBelle London brand as big as the My-Wardrobe.com boutique - all in good time!

Please do email me if you have any questions, and feel free to comment! :-) Don't forget to also follow us on Twitter and Facebook!

Best wishes

Claire

BoBelle London helps charity auctions

BoBelle London have had a busy few weeks helping colleagues raise money for certain children's charities. One in particular was launched with Karen Magerison from Bloomhost. She is cycling 350km over 5 days in Cuba. A dinner was hosted in May which raised over £3000 for The Children's Trust Charity. BoBelle London sponsored the event and donated a gorgeous Hemera Handbag and matching Gaia Purse in the raffle. Over 80 women attended the dinner and the event was a huge success!

Another event that BoBelle London is sponsoring this July is in aid of the British Association of Adoption and Fostering. We are thrilled to be working with the charity as they have been raising over £25,000 at their annual events over the past few years. Previous supporters have included Anya Hindmarch, Smythson and Lulu Guiness - names BoBelle London is proud to be associated with. Please see our website HERE for more information.

BoBelle London is growing organically and working with charities that are so worthy of support means a great deal to us. Please do contact us if you feel we can help raise your charity's profile.

Best wishes,

Claire Watt-Smith
Founder, BoBelle London

Small Business is Big Business event with Boris Johnson and Tim Campbell

Having found the invitation via Twitter (can you believe that is how we network sometimes now?!) I thought it would be thoroughly enjoyable to attend the Q&A that was being held in St Paul's with the Mayor himself and a selection of panelists to discuss the ramifications of the credit crunch on small businesses.

After a small introduction of each panelist, the questions came flooding in from the audience. Electric vehicles, the banks, scope for growth, social enterprises and more (as well as the CC) were discussed. About 500 people attended the event; I had hoped for a little more banter on small businesses in particular, and even micro businesses. The issue of funding is still major and often a real hindrance for some reaching their goals. I have to say, the room was packed with energy, vibrancy and entrepreneurial flair. I was honoured to be a part of it and as soon as I could, ran down to speak to the panelists myself.

I have actually met Boris Johnson before in Oxford prior to him becoming Mayor. I find him hilarious; incredibly articulate, bright and charasmatic. Tim Campbell was inviting, passionate and energetic. He was really pioneering social enterprise and helps a lot of underprivaliged children focus on their skills and building certain attributes. Sue Terpilowski is from the Federation of Small Businesses, of which I and BoBelle are members. The FSB exists to bridge the gap between businesses and the government. If ever you have an issue with something, you can call the FSB. If ever you need advice on insurance, HR queries or networking, you can call the FSB. They really are fantastic and a great asset to have. Colin Stanbridge, as well as being noted for working at the BBC for as long as I can remember, is part of the Chamber of Commerce. He again was incredibly articulate and found him to be light-hearted and gentle, too.

I wanted to question Boris, Sue et al issues on finance, how London is helping businesses grow, what incentives there might be for micro companies and how they think England will get out of this recession. Of course, not all of my questions were answered! I do however have all contact details so will find out more and let you know.

I am really looking forward to the next event; I hope it is longer next time. It is a great way to boost one's confidence; there is nothing more exhilierationg and exciting than meeting budding business men and women who are all in the same position and who all have one thing on their mind; growth.

Let's see how BoBelle London will carry on growing, shall we?

Pictured above are the programme and the panel of judges, with Boris standing

Busy week - magazine meetings, new styles, Fenwick's and more...

BoBelle is really starting to make its mark in the fashion world and I am absolutely thrilled. I had another meeting with Fenwick's Brent Cross and they have just had their new order sent to them which they love! They have doubled on their initial order which is fantastic. They have purchased the Chloe Wallet, Aphrodite Wallet, Theia Clutch Bag, Hestia Keyring, Calypso Keyring, Gaia Purse and the Athena Purse all in a variety of colours. They adore the Royal Blue in particular, and know that the Mocha will sell instantly. Pop into Fenwick at Brent Cross and see BoBelle London next to Michael Kors, Donna Karen and Mulberry....

In addition to Fenwick's last week, I had a meeting with one of the fabulous editors at Grazia. They love the new Melissa Handbag and took the samples of the new Mocha and Light Grey!! Let's hope they use them in the June issue....what is more, today I have a meeting with Stylist magazine, the free one we all get in the week from the Evening Standard. The number of people I see reading that freebie is phenomenal...if I can get BoBelle in there that would also be fantastic! Taking lots of styles and an array of colours with me, so again, fingers crossed.

This Thursday I am presenting at the Green Collar Woman styling event. If you would like to attend please click here and register your interest. I personally am going to talk about fashion and the ethical fashion world in particular. In a world of ever-increasing disposable fashion, how can professional women wear ethical to work? I am also giving those lucky ladies a special discount on BoBelle London products. It is so difficult to be ethical all of the time, but little steps do help and I am going to prove that British made products and fairly traded attire do exist.

Off now to get ready for Stylist....but again, if you would like to get in touch please do email me. The Green Collar Woman event is being held at: Caponata 3-7, Delancey Street, London NW1 7NL from 6-8.30pm and will be great networking.

I look forward to hearing fromy ou soon!

Best wishes

Claire

Just a few images of some of the styles and colours stocked in Fenwick Brent Cross, London NW4.

BoBelle London and Very Good Service - Social Media contact

Through the wonder that is Twitter, Vicky stumbled across the site, Very Good Service - a site that is dedicated to highlighting those exclusive brands that have gone the extra mile with their service to their customers. The website has huge names such as Debenhams, Smythson, Ocado and more. The general public can recommend sites that have award-winning service and the company can then be considered for Very Good Service. When you are trauling through the internet trying to find a brand that is reputable, honest, reliable and punctual just heading to Very Good Service can save you valuable time.

BoBelle London is now featured on Very Good Service and we are thrilled at the achievement as we are among some of the top major companies in the UK. Our awards which we have won so far have made us eligible for the location on the site. My personal winning of the Top 100 Entreprenurs in 2008 with Striding Out, my Fellowship of the Royal Society of Arts, being seen in Red Magazine as their Ethical Entrepreneur, being the example of the Daily Mail Enterprising Britain Award and winning the Judge's Special Award with DediPower have all helped boost BoBelle London's profile and reputation.

Our customers are thrilled with the service we provide and we endeavour to go that extra mile with each and every one of our valued clients. Being small certainly has its benefits as you can be flexible in your working and really listen to customers' feedback. This is vital for growth and for maintaining exclusivity.

Keep up-to-date with BoBelle London's progress by joining our Facebook Fanpage and following us on Twitter - we have some REALLY exciting developments happening and it would be wonderful to hear from you!

Best wishes

Claire Watt-Smith

Founder, BoBelle London

http://www.bobelle.co.uk/

Phew...what a week so far!

This week has officially been crazy busy for myself and BoBelle London. Monday started off on a rather annoying note as I had to wait in for Fedex to pick up my unwanted display materials that should have been collected on Friday. Grrr. Forstly, how could they 'forget' on Friday to collect? And secondly, why is it that logistic companies can never really give a better time frame than 'sometime between 9am and 5pm'. Oh, how it irkes me!

After the collection I fortunately was able to get on with our wholesaling packaging. We have a wonderful new stockist in Bristol called Elsie Riley. Her shop is gorgeous and she is now starting to do up her website to work in conjunction with the actual shop. Katie, the owner, is very down to earth, funny and approachable. In store she has in our Hemera Handbag in Light Grey and Ravishing Red, the matching Aphrodite Wallets, the new Chloe Wallet and the Athena Purse. They all go perfectly together and the colours really complement one another.

BoBelle London was fortunate enough to be featured on Emerging Fervour - I actually personally went to school with one of the founders, Sara Nasser. She is a very kind and fun person and because of the Red Magazine feature, she wanted to mention me, thanks Sara!

We have had lots of meetings this week and my one yesterday with a retail developer was very promising...more to tell when I hopefully sign on the dotted line! Fingers and toes crossed....

My mentoring session with Craig from DediPower was alo this week. His company were exhibiting at Internet World at Earl's Court. It was so interesting as it has given me food for thought on website designs, photography, keywords, getting up on Google and the new craze, Social Media. The world of Social Media is a baffling one - how to write on Twitter, what to create on Facebook, how to write blogs, who to follow etc etc etc....I can safely say they didn't teach me any of this at University! Ah well, there is nothing like learning on-the-job!

Finally, last night I attended a Royal Society meeting on Social Enterprise. I went with Heather Wilkinson from Striding Out and it was a real eye opener. It is so refreshing to hear people speak about their experiences, what their passions are and how they are trying to overcome hurdles. There is so much bureaucracy and red tape in the UK. Some of the speakers are doing such fabulous things such as helping disadvantaged children off the streets and into youth theatre or education. Others are setting up schemes to help parents and families with children who have learning difficulties. All these venture are so commendable, but Authorities are worried about CRB checks, Health and Safety and Forms....it is just local people and communities volunteering for goodness sake! No wonder we are put off helping others now. We will see what this election brings and hopefully realy change is brought about, finally....

Off out to another meeting now, but will update you all again next week if not before.

Have a lovely Bank Holiday weekend!

Claire

BoBelle London on the catwalk at UK Aware

BoBelle London had their stand at UK Aware which was certainly an interesting exhibition! Unfortunately the amazing and unexpected beautiful weather prevented some visitors coming indoors to Olympia to see the show, however there were still at least 70,000 customers over the 2 days. Claire Watt-Smith, the Founder of BoBelle London, was there and certainly made a lasting impression with her fabulous enthusiasm and stunning BoBelle London luxurious ladies leather fashion accessories.

Lupe Castro from Ethical Heaven organised the fashion show and BoBelle London's accessories definitely stood out from the crowd. Gorgeous clothes and shoes from Izzy Lane, Purity and Julia Smith accentuated the strong colour palette from BoBelle London; Ravishing Red, Deep Purple and Smokey White were featured heavily:

Seen here the Deep Purple Hemera Handbag from BoBelle London - our most popular shade this year has to be the Deep Purple. Great for work as it is subtle yet striking. Then wear on the weekends with jeans and pumps - oh-so-stylish...

Seen here the Ravishing Red Hemera Handbag from BoBelle London - ideal for work or evening. This is a real investment piece and will last you years (not to mention make you smile everytime you use it!)

Seen here the Smokey White Theia Clutch from BoBelle London - perfect with all outfits due to its gorgeous neutral yet sophisticated colour and style

Seen here the Ravishing Red Theia Clutch from BoBelle London - smarten up your look with this beauty

As you can see above, ethical fashion is hardly frumpy and solely hemp....BoBelle London is trying to show that ethical fashion is not limited to boring and unfashionable attire, quite the contrary. Have a browse of our online boutique today and see for yourself!

BoBelle London - shhhh....Fashion with Ethics

Getting ready for UK Aware show at Olympia, London

It is always so exciting doing shows; the adrenalin, the rush, the enthusiasm....but it is serious hard work, too! Our list of things to do and pick up today spreads over two pages, but it will all be worth it in the end.

UK Aware is the number 1 ethical and green lifestyle show. It is in its second year now and over 70,000 people flocked to the venue last year in light of finding out more on how to be more ethical and how to support local and small businesses.

BoBelle London will be on stand 128 and we will be showcasing our gorgeous collection of ladies leather handbags, leather purses, leather keyrings, leather wallets and more. The recession has certainly made people think more about where they spend their money and how also much. Small businesses, or SME's (Small to Medium Enterprises) employ a staggeringly large amount of people in the UK especially. We have to show our support to these people and not just succomb to the giant retailers. I am sure we all know someone who has unfortunately lost their job in the recession or seen their business suffer, it is heartbreaking. However, what is needed in times like this are new strategies and new ventures. UK Aware is great for this as hundreds of small brands are working together to educate and show the public that ethical does not have to mean expensive, nor does it mean solely 'hemp'. BoBelle London is at the forefront of this. Our sumptuous hand made eel skin leather handbags are truly stunning. The leather is a by-product of the food industry and is so unique; soft, incredibly strong and durable. Our collection boasts fabulous colours such as Royal Blue, Ravishing Red and Pretty in Pink. Who said ethical is frumpy? It certainly isn't at BoBelle London!!

Other brands at UK Aware will include Izzy Lane, Egg Mag and Onya. There is going to be a fabulous fashion show hosted by Daisy Green Magazine and Ethical Heaven which promises to bring the best of ethical fashion onto the catwalk. Again, BoBelle London will be showcasing! No hemp allowed....

If you would like to attend this fantastic event either email sales@bobelle.co.uk for further infomation or log onto the Uk Aware website at www.ukware.com. We hope to see you there!

Gorgeous shop visit to Bournemouth to see Vixen Boutique

Today I went to Bournemouth to see one of my favourite clients, Lucy from Vixen Boutiuqe. The journey down from BoBelle London was sunny and very pleasant. Set in the heart of Canford Cliffs this beautiful boutique stocks local as well as national brands including: Oui Set, Noli and of course, BoBelle London, but to name a few.

Lucy, the owner, is stylish, elegant and extremely friendly. Her clear sense of style oozes throughout the boutique which makes it so welcoming. The decor is luxurious yet enticing. The clothes are sophisticated and fashionable. The accessories are desirable and tempting. What more could one ask for?

Sold in the boutique include BoBelle London's Gaia Purses, Theia Clutches, Hemera Handbags and Hestia Keyrings. Lucy offers a one-to-one service whereby she can help you create your perfect 'wish list' and help you select outfits that flatter and enhance your figure, colouring and personality. Whether you are going to the races, enjoying drinks with friends, needing an outfit for a wedding or simply wishing to update your look, Vixen Boutique is the perfect place to go.

BoBelle London ethically sourced and hand made luxurious fashion accessories available at Vixen Boutique.

Online press vs classic publications

Claire Watt-Smith, the Founder and CEO of BoBelle London, attended the Sketchbook Magazine pop-up magazine shop last week in Carnaby Street. Suzie, aka Style Bubble, attended and there was lots of banter over which is better: online press or classic publications? So, which is better? Do you still read glossy magazines with a hot cup of tea or glass of wine curled up on the sofa? Or are you more of a read-me-now online type of gal? I think the truth is that both men and women peruse online portals, such as newspapers and perhaps blogs whilst 'surfing', but deep down we do still like traditional books and magazines too.


So which do you think you prefer or take note of? Well that is certainly very much a personal preference. Can you picture the country without magazines and books? Lying in bed with your i-pad rather than Red magazine or a good Penny Vincenzi novel? It certainly feels strange even contemplating it, but that doesn't mean it won't happen of course. Remember box-tv's? Cassettes? VCR's? Industrial-sized computers? Classic massive Volvos? They all are now either obsolete or getting there...so what about books and magazines? Is the Internet really the way forward forever? It has been said that magazines sway towards featuring those brands that take up advertising space, but what about online? Bloggers are making a fortune writing articles about brands, but are they too being swayed by freebies and such-like? Is there such a thing about honest publicity? Also, the issue here is perhaps the cost of the publication. How often do you recoil at the fact at having to pay for online content? This is extremely difficult for publication houses and a huge debate at the moment....


For BoBelle London we find that classic publication features in magazines and newspapers work better for us. This is not to say that online is not great, it is for browsing, but with over 80,000 new websites being launched on a daily basis, it is extremely hard getting one's brand out to the masses. Still, we think that word-of-mouth and taking part in events and shows helps massively, too. Let's face it, we are not all wanting to solely read online and not converse with friends and families. We like to share opinions and chat freely. Is writing online the same? We don't think so, what about you?

Reading online:



or reading by print:

Gorgeous new Ravishing Red Hemera Handbag from BoBelle London

Need a new accessory for spring? look no further than the gorgeous hand made Ravishing Red Hemera Handbag from BoBelle London.

Red is such a hot colour for spring and goes perfectly with blues, greys, creams, greens, purples and more. The shade of Ravishing Red from BoBelle London is just so striking; sumptuous, show-stopping, stunning. Team with cute tea-dresses, khaki trousers, floaty skirts and lacy tops. It is also perfect for the office as it oozes sophistication and elegance.

Each ladies handbag, purse, keyring and more from BoBelle London is lined with BoBelle London's signature deep red lining. This reflects the superb quality and luxury of each handbag and accessory perfectly. Moreover, each ladies accessory is handmade, ethically sourced and lovingly made using the stunning eel skin leather; a by-product of the food industry in Asia. It is oh-so-soft, stronger than cow's leather and just amazing. You wil love it.

Also in the Ravishing Red BoBelle London collection is the beautiful Aphrodite Wallet. Again, this hand made wallet is stunning and is guaranteed to last you years. It has been designed for the modern lady; with plenty of space, hidden useful zips and elegance. Mocha is currently our favourite, but the Ravishing Red always does well.

To order BoBelle London simply go to http://www.bobelle.co.uk/ and browse our online boutique. Add anything to your basket, pay and the order will be shipped immediately. In addition, each gift from BoBelle London is complimentary wrapped to add something special to your order. we only use 100% recycled materials and 100% biodegradable filler to protect. Our green credentials are incredibly important to us and are deeply rooted in our ethos.

Please contact us if you have any questions. We look forward to welcoming you to BoBelle London soon!

Above: Claire Watt-Smith, the Founder and CEO of BoBelle London, as seen in Red Magazine this month.

Claire Watt-Smith in Red Magazine!

Claire Watt-Smith, the Founder of BoBelle London, has been featured in April's Red Magazine as one of the Top 20 Under 30 Red Hot Women - what an achievement!

The Red Hot Women competition hosted by Red Magazine is conducted to find the most inspiring and fabulous women in England. Claire Watt-Smith is over the moon to be selected as one of the 'Top 20 under 30' and is so honoured to be amongst such awe-inspiring women.

BoBelle London is the retailer of ethical hand made fashion accessories. Currently we use the luxurious eel skin leather; a by-product of the food industry in Asia. It is so soft, sumptuous and incredibly desirable. Incorporating ethics with high-end yet affordable fashion is at the heart of BoBelle London.

Click HERE to read the feature online, or buy your copy of Red Magazine today and see Claire Watt-Smith on page 72.

Congratulations to all those fantastic ladies!