Passion is everything

When growing BoBelle London, so many people ask me what my drive is - I say 'passion'. Don't ask me how to get it, you either have it or you don't. Nothing is too much for your business; be it learning to use new accounting packages, speaking in public, attending events where you know no one or doing the mundane day-to-day tasks. You get on and do it because you know you have to, you know it will ultimately make your business better. Putting yourself out there is really tough - you have to have serious doses of courage and self-belief. If you have a great product/service, then it should just come naturally.

I 100% whole-heartedly believe in BoBelle. The quality, service and styles are what make my brand work. It has taken time, don't get me wrong, and there is still a long way to go, but everyday something happens and it is a humbling feeling to know that it is because of me that things evolve. I am not too sure I would get that same feeling working for someone else.

I have some exciting developments in the pipeline; new ranges, new website, new tradeshow, new collection for Marks and Spencer Autograph....it is all happening and sometimes it's tough because I want it all NOW! However, I remember my mantra "you have to walk before you can run - and crawl before you can walk" - baby steps need to be taken before giant leaps. This doesn't stop me from pushing for more though!

I have some great events lined up and starting today I have a coffee catch up with a lovely journalist! I hope you are all having a lovely start to the week and do remember to keep loving what you are doing :-)

Claire x

London's calling....

Apologies for the late post this week - we have had such a busy one! We had a photoshoot last week of the new collection and thought you might like to take a peek at some of the new pieces coming very soon:







This is the 'Chiswick' above and is launching in the next week or so. I love this picture as Katie just looks stunning in the over-exposed light - Very Versace! The handbag is an absolute winner - it is already on the shelves in a few of our stockists and the Rioja Red (pictured above) is my personal fave. It is also available in Deep Purple and Black. Feel free to contact us if you would like further details in the interim of it being available online!




Above is another stunning photograph - loving that trilby! The most popular colour at BoBelle London is Deep Purple (it seriously is gorgeous...) it takes the dye so well and no other leather looks as vibrant as our eel skin leather does in purple. The Hemera is a great size and is just so classic. The pockets at the side are ideal for popping your mibile in (obviously in our mobile phone case!), keys, work pass etc and the front one I keep my Oyster card in to stop me faffing around looking for it whilst power-walking up the escalator! All in all, a great style, if I say it myself...

So, what to wear our accessories with? The above shows Katie in a beautiful maxi dress from a small London-based designer, black skinny belt, trilby and sky high wedges from my favourite UK shoe shop, Russell and Bromley (oh so comfy and satisfies my desire to spend more on my other fave, Mr Louboutin himself....) . The bags above from BoBelle, Chiswick and Hemera, are perfect for work and play - team with skinny black trousers, classic crisp white shirt, chunky heels and a chunky Marni necklace for work and then with a cute tea dress, pumps and a cute sun hat for brunch with friends.

The BoBelle London website is having a complete make-over and it should be ready in the next month or so....think more edginess and more of our fun personality shining through - we are very excited and I will keep you posted on all of the developments!

Have a great rest of the week and I will post again very soon :-)

Claire x

Marie Claire Inspire and mentor

Last week I attended the wonderful Inspire and Mentor events which Marie Claire hosted. Inspire and Mentor is the special campaign that Marie Claire magazine founded - the goal is to get some of the most influential women in the UK to offer their advice and experiences with lucky mentees. The campaign only launched in 2010, with a massive number of women entering to be mentored by 17 inspirational businesswomen. Myself, Claire Watt-Smith, was one of those lucky readers who won mentoring with one of the UK's finest businesswoman, Kate Bostock of Marks and Spencer.

Marie Claire have been the first to pioneer such a campaign, and what a campaign it is. I cannot express how amazing it is to have a mentor who gets you. To have a mentor who believes in you. To have a mentor who inspires you. To have a mentor who gives up their precious time and who is just as passionate about your brand. I cannot thank Marie Claire and Kate Bostock enough for this amazing opportunity.

Growing a brand is exceptionally hard. I get asked by so many women "how I do it" and whether they indeed can do it. My advice? Research, work and research more. There is no set formula to growing a brand, I wish there was! Instead, you have to roll with it - stick at it and let that passion shine through.

This week those at the fabulous Marie Claire arranged for three famous businesswomen to give up an hour of their time to answer Q&A's from editors and the audience. On Tuesday it was Jane Shepherdson - wow, what a lady. She knows her customers. She knows her industry. She knows her competition. She not only turned Topshop around, but is currently doing the same for Whistles; a huge challenge, but she sure is succeeding (how many times have you seen the pink pleated skirt this season?! A testament to her skills).

On Wednesday the lady in question was the beauty guru Liz Earle (FYI, the most fabulous skin I have ever seen. I am now a true convert). Liz was cool, composed and honest. What I loved asbout her was the fact that she has done exactly the same as what I am trying to do with BoBelle London - grow a brand from scratch. Her tips were priceless and it has given me extra motivation to carry on doing what I am doing and to keep growing organically. It was amazing to meet such wonderful women at this event in particular.

The last event of the week was Q&A's with Carole White. Carole was everything I thought she would be; cheeky, quirky yet tough. She was frank in her answers, but in a good way. She has had an amazing career and Premeier Models is her baby - she is not fazed by Naomi's suing....Carole offered an insight into the modelling world and explained it is not as glamorous or as "easy" (her words, never would I use the word "easy" in the same sentance as growing a business) as it looks.

All in all, Marie Claire's Inspire and Mentor events have been a huge success and I am thrilled that the campign is growing daily. There are so many creative women out there and it is reassuring to know that there is some guidance on offer.

Right, back to work for me now - I have to tell the rest of the country about BoBelle's collaboration with Marks and Spencer Autograph.

Enjoy the rest of the day!

Claire x

Marks and Spencer Autograph collaborates with BoBelle London

BoBelle London has designed a limited edition capsule collection for Marks and Spencer Autograph and it's hit the shelves NOW! The stunning limited edition range includes a leather clutch bag, leather mobile phone holder, leather ipad sleeve and a leather purse:

The limited edition collabortation came about after the founder of BoBelle London, Claire Watt-Smith, won the pretigious Inspire and Mentor campaign with Marie Claire magazine. Watt-Smith won mentoring with the incredible Kate Bostock of Marks and Spencer. The buyers loved the brand and the preparations for a joint venture began.

The 4 styles are available in 3 colourways; lipstick red, classic black and smokey white. The pieces are available in their 2 flagship stores; Marble Arch and King's Road, as well as online.

BoBelle London has some amazing new styles launching for AW11 including a stunning new satchel, new handbag, new wallet and new iphone case for the iphone 5. We are on Facebook and Twitter, so please do follow!

Let us know what you think of the M&S Autograph collaboration too.

Best wishes,

BoBelle London

Royal Wedding fever!

The anticipation on who was designing The Dress left all us fashion folk in a slight sweat. Turns out the fabulous Sarah Burton designed the stunning dress, and what a beautiful piece it was. Hand made (of course) using the finest silks, lace and other British-sourced materials. The Victorian-esque corset, flowing veil and elegant long laced arms made the stunning Kate Middleton look even more beautiful; a real Princess.

The whole of Britain was in the party mood on this glorious celebratory day. Street parties dominated, and not just any old street party would do. Everything had a wonderful patriotic feel to it - a much needed boost for our flagging self-esteem. Bunting, sausage rolls, Pimm's and the classic Victoria sandwich cake ruled our streets; and everyone was invited. I think the one of the biggest streets to join the festivities was the shopping destination in London; Regent Street.

The newly-weds drove to Clarence House in style after their nuptials in the grand Westminster Abbey (it was very hard not to expand here on some of the stylish and then outright bizarre outfits sported by our finest guests!) and today are on their honeymoon - we at BoBelle London wish them all the best.