BoBelle London in The Times newspaper

The Times is one of the most read newspapers in the UK and BoBelle London was ecstatic to be featured in their Ethical Christmas Gift Guide. Whether you are looking for the perfect handbag and matching wallet to 'wow' her, or the perfect stocking filler to treat her, you will find exceptional quality, ample choice and superb customer service at BoBelle London.
The Gaia Purse at BoBelle London was hand picked by the Editor of The Times as their perfect gift this Christmas. The Turquoise Blue was their favourite, with the Ravishing Red following closely behind. Don't forget BoBelle London's signature deep red lining is seen in all of our hand made and ethically crafted accessories. With the burnished gold antique finidhed clasps, all of BoBelle London's accessories are sure to put a smile on your lady's face.

Stuck with ideas for Christmas? Fret not. Our Sales Team are more than happy to offer personal advice which is specifically tailored to your needs and budget. Please email sales@bobelle.co.uk or call +44 (0) 7870 199 101 or +44 (0) 208 743 7308 to speak with our Sales Team.

Furthermore, all accessories are complimentary gift wrapped in acid free tissue and tied with natural raffia. We currently use Recoded Delivery via Royal Mail, unless requested otherwise. Hand deliveries can also be made if required - again, please contact the Sales Team for further information.

We look forward to welcoming you this Christmas to BoBelle London - Fashion with Ethics. http://www.bobelle.co.uk/.

Looking for a stocking filler? Our Nyx Baby Coin Purse is ideal:

Or why not try our Gaia Purse - vintage double clasp and luxurious lining, as recommended by The Times...

Or really spoil her this Christmas with the Deep Purple Hemera Handbag....

Please contact us if we can help you further.

Many thanks

Claire

www.bobelle.co.uk

Christmas is coming...

Although it may be just over 30 days until the big 'C' comes, we have never been so prepared at BoBelle London. We have two new deliveries in preperation for the festive season, which includes new Athena Purses, Gaia Purses, Hemera Handbags and adorable Hestia Keyrings.

Our collection of fairly traded and ethical eel skin leather fashion accessories from BoBelle London certainly tick all the boxes for suprising loved-ones with a unique gift:

• Ethical? Check
  
• Hand made? Check
  
• Great colours? Check
  
• Individual? Check
  
• Fashionable? Check
  
• Recommended by magazines? Check

If you need help this Christmas deciding which pieces to go for at BoBelle London, please do contact our Sales Team who will be more than happy to help you. In addition, we do offer exchanges and gift receipts so if your loved-one would like to exchange, the option is there. furthermore, with complimentary gift-wrapping we save you time as well!

Need some more inspiration for gifts further than BoBelle London? Why not look at Ella Georgia - she has some gorgeous one-off jewellery pieces with rings, brooches, necklaces and more. She also has a gorgeous selection of ethical cashmere (without the high price tags!).

Another one-stop-shop for the family is Javari - they have a great selection of shoes and accessories, so perfect for Christmas Day walks! Below left is on sale at French Connection at Javari...click here to see!

If it is something truly ethical you are after, have a look at Fashion Conscience - I love the ruched Rani Jones bodycon skirt...gorgeous! They also have lovely tops and t-shirts, dresses, Terra Plana shoes and more:

If definite fashion is your key, have a browse through Eternal Envy - I love their silk dress here from Traffic People - unique, it won't be seen on anyone else and is supporting small designers. The leather jacket is a true investment that will never go out of fashion... What more could we ask for? (Aside from the Theia Ravishing Red Clutch from BoBelle London to match...well, an outfit isn't complete without accessories...)

I hope you like a few of our festive ideas for Christmas! Please do contact sales@bobelle.co.uk if you have any questions about BoBelle London or about shopping for your loved one in general.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Best wishes

Claire

BoBelle London - Fashion with Ethics

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

Future 100 Award Ceremony

SOCIAL ENTERPRISE DAY: Carbon offsetter and belly dancer named among top 100 young social entrepreneurs
20 November 2009
by Chrisanthi Giotis

From ITV to a philosophy of it's not just about me - Sophie Mei, belly dancer turned social entrepreneur
One hundred of the most promising young social entrepreneurs were honoured at a London event on Social Enterprise Day.

The Future 100 Young Social Entrepreneurs Award, which is organised by enterprise support organisation Striding Out, celebrates young entrepreneurs aged 18 to 35 who 'demonstrate entrepreneurial flair and innovation in progressing a responsible business venture'.
The winners include Britain's Got Talent semi-finalist Sophie Mei Lan Slack, who has made use of her belly dancing talent by developing a social enterprise focusing on self-esteem, culture and health, and Dan Lewer, founder of Carbon Retirement, a 'carbon offsetting business that doesn't believe in carbon offsetting'.

Lewer said: 'Carbon offsetting is like paying the RSPCA so you can kick your dog.'
Striding Out will provide the Future 100 winners with opportunities to network, raise their profile through media and PR training, and gain mentoring support.
One of last year's Future 100 was Claire Watt-Smith, founder of BoBelle, which makes fair trade eel-skin bags and wallets.

Speaking at the event last night she said the award lead to a major breakthrough in her business. Striding Out helped her gain an introduction to people from high street fashion chain Top Shop and the products are now stocked in 60 stores.
'Once you start telling people about the award, doors will open for you,' she said.

Women's Enterprise Day

A few statistics about women in business:

• There are around 680,000 majority women-owned businesses in the UK generating £45 billion to the UK economy.


• Of the 4.7 million UK enterprises, only 15% are led by women (BERR, 2009). Women starting up in business will tend to provide a more immediate contribution to the economy: around one in five women come into self-employment from unemployment compared with around one in fifteen men ( Annual Small Business Survey 2003, SBS)


• When women represent 30% of the Board of Directors the profitability of a company increases threefold (Women Executives in the UK, Gavurin Intellience, Feb 2008)

We need to inspire more women to get into working for themselves and for women to work together.

Having founded BoBelle London in late 2007, I can safely say the road of entrepreneurship is not easy, but it certainly is enjoyable! No two days are the same, you meet so many different individuals, you have complete autonomy over your work and what you do is yours!!

I have nurtured and loved BoBelle London from the day it was born. It is mine and I will work all the hours until it no longer needs me. Having secured a luxurious department store as a new stockist for December 2009, as well as over 50 boutiques in the UK and Ireland, BoBelle London is certainly getting there! My team working with me are fantastic and today, as everyday, we shall be celebrating our achievements and embarking on new ventures to expand BoBelle London.

Happy Women's Enterprise Day!

Claire

www.bobelle.co.uk

Claire Watt-Smith, Founder and CEO of BoBelle London

BoBelle London's new boutique and expansion

Dear all,

I just wanted to keep you updated on the progress of BoBelle London. Having re-designed the website and updated all of the images care of Amanda Maddox and Bloomhost (http://www.amandamaddox.com/ and http://www.bloomhost.net/), BoBelle London has never looked better!

We have been working incredibly hard and we are really starting to see the results! Over 50 boutiques are stocking BoBelle and we are also in talks with two massive brands to expand BoBelle London and really publicise ethical fashion!

We have some great stockists around the country including Cologne and Cotton in Leamington Spa, London and Bath, Badger in Brighton, Yates Buchanan in Notting Hill and Vanilla in Oxford, but to name a few. Furthermore, one of our favourites is http://www.ellageorgiajewellery.co.uk/ - a fabulous online boutique and store in Boroughbridge in Yorkshire. The founder, Sian Foster, has some beautiful bits and pieces including jewellery, accessories, great stocking fillers, fashion and more. Please do look at her site as it is a real find.

See below some of our latest images from Marie Claire and Fashion Conscience. We also are taking pre-orders for Christmas, so if you want something reserved, please do email sales@bobelle.co.uk straight away!

Lastly, how has the postal strike affected you? We have had to send everything Special Delivery which has been fortunately reliable, albeit expensive! We also have a courier service which we will be using for Christmas especially!

Please do email or message me with feedback as I would love to hear from you!

Best wishes

Claire

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

Seen here is the Deep Purple Handbag and matching Gaia Purse. This gorgeous handbag is so incredibly soft and strong. Hand made under fair trade conditions this BoBelle London handbag in Deep Purple has fashion written all over it. Did I mention our deep red signature lining? Snap up yours now!

Click HERE to buy and read more about the Hemera Handbag from BoBelle London.

Perfect for Christmas this Ravishing Red Theia Clutch and matching Aphrodite Wallet is certain to add a statement to your LBD. Turn heads and stand out from the crowd with BoBelle London.
See and buy the Theia Clutch Bag in Ravishing Red HERE
See and buy the Aphrodite Leather Wallet Click HERE

What about a little unique stocking filler? Try the Hestia Keyring from BoBelle London; this is a sure way to bring a smile to a loved ones face!

These Hestia Keyrings sell so well at BoBelle London. Brighten up an everyday staple - and always have change on you! The little purse opens up and is fabulous for keeping pound coins safe for emergency car-parking, chocolate or cocktail!
See the full range and buy HERE

Please do keep an eye out on BoBelle London and do let me know what you think as feedback is so important to us!

Many thanks

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

Ethics Girls launches BoBelle!

Ethics Girls, http://www.ethicsgirls.co.uk/, have revamped their website and it looks fantastic!

Ethics Girls is a portal offering advice, fashion, forums and gossip about all things green, ethical, and up-to-the-minute in the fashion world!

As eco-fashion is becoming more prominant and readily available, BoBelle is thrilled to working with Ethics Girls to help pioneer green fashion! Forget frumpy, ill-fitting and boring hippy-wear and think fairly traded, colourful, fashionable and carefully fitted durable attire!

We at BoBelle, http://www.bobelle.co.uk/, are encouraging ethical fashion which will last years. Think investment pieces that are durable, classic and chic. See our Hemera Handbag for true luxury, our Aphrodite Wallet for functionality and our Hestia Keyring for fun!

Enjoy reading Ethics Girls and BoBelle! http://www.ethicsgirls.co.uk/shop/m6/BoBelle/index.html

Hestia Keyring, £13.50 (pink)

Hemera Handbag, £163.00 (deep purple)

Gaia Purse, £32.00 (light grey)

Theia Clutch, £79.00 (smokey white)

BoBelle's 20% off with www.cosmopolitan.co.uk

BoBelle at http://www.bobelle.co.uk/ is expanding rapidly! The success and demand for the gorgeous hand made eel skin leather accessories has been phenomenal! We have the new Aphrodite Wallet, Hemera Handbag and Hestia Keyring to say the least. The colours are so striking and the leather incredibly luxurious. As it is a by-product of the food industry in Korea you can be certain that the leather is eco-friendly and ethical. We hand made all pieces incorporating fair trade and high fashion.

Please see below a few images from the current collection. If you have any particular requests please contact the Sales Team at sales@bobelle.co.uk who will only be too happy to help. what is more, each accessory is complimentary gift wrapped adding to the luxury of buying a special accessory online. What is more, BoBelle has teamed with the fashion magazine Cosmopolitan to offer its readers 20% off with http://www.cosmopolitan.co.uk/. Simply visit http://www.cosmopolitan.co.uk/competitions/bo-belle-leather-discount/competition for further details! Happy shopping!

Current collection:










Hemera Handbag in Deep Purple, Light Grey and Midnight Blue: perfect for all occassions from day to evening. The leather is so soft and each accessory at BoBelle boasts the deep red faux suede lining. Pure luxury. (£163)












Team with the Aphrodite Wallet for the ultimate in sophistication and elegance (£63.00)





Why not put some fun into an everyday essential? This Hestia Keyring can store around £8 worth of £1 coins - ideal for emergency cocktail funds for a Friday night! Treat you and your BFF today (£12.50)

This is just a snippet of what is on offer at http://www.bobelle.co.uk/ at the moment.

If you hurry, you can save 20% off the collection with http://www.cosmopolitan.co.uk/ - see http://www.cosmopolitan.co.uk/competitions/bo-belle-leather-discount/competition for further details. Why not start your Chrsitmas shopping early, or leaev hints for your man to buy for you! This offer is expiring next week, so hurry!

With Love,

The BoBelle Team
http://www.bobelle.co.uk/
sales@bobelle.co.uk

Last chance to WIN a Gaia BoBelle Purse!

Dear all,

Please note that in order to be in with the chance of WINNING a hand made eel skin leather Gaia Purse from BoBelle, simply sign up to our fabulous Newsletter on the homepage at http://www.bobelle.co.uk/.

We have some really exciting news in the pipeline at BoBelle...so please do sign up to keep up-to-date with what is happening! Also, follow BoBelleFashion on Twitter and join our Facebook page!

Many thanks

Claire x

Hi all,

My name is Claire Watt-Smith and I am the founder of BoBelle, http://www.bobelle.co.uk/, the supplier of fairly traded fashion accessories.

I am poud to say that BoBelle's second concession has launched in Allders in Croydon. The concession launched on Friday 4th July 2009 and it is in conjunction with Fashion Capital and the British Fashion Council. This is great news for our growing brand and hope that more and more people will become increasingly aware of high quality, affordable and eco-friendly fashion. Allders is having a make-over so it could not be better timing for us!

Myself in Topshop and Allders!

BoBelle has also started wholesaling its accessories and we are having a stand at Pure in August (2nd-4th) - please do come along if you are a buyer! We are on stand L16 - three lovely ladies will be there to meet and greet you!

Finally, BoBelle's new website has also launched and this month we have a prize draw to WIN a hand made Gaia Eel Skin Leather Purse - simply sign up to our newsletter and you will be in with a chance of winning! The draw is being made on July 20th, so hurry!

WIN this hand made BoBelle Gaia Eel Skin Leather Purse! - Just sign up to our Newsletter at www.bobelle.co.uk.

WIN a Gaia Eel Skin Leather Purse from BoBelle!

BoBelle, www.bobelle.co.uk, are offering you the chance to WIN a superb hand made eels skin leather Gaia Purse in Deep Purple (see left image).

Simply sign up to our Newsletter at www.bobelle.co.uk and your name will be in with a chance of winning!

Forward onto your friends and family so that they can also have a chance of winning!

Signing up to BoBelle's newsletter ensures you keep up-to-date with BoBelle's movements and special offers - remember, for any feedback about BoBelle please email pr@bobelle.co.uk.

Many thanks!

Claire

Free Pop-Up Retail Space, genius idea!

The Red or Dead and KioskKiosk sponsoring start-ups with a 3 month free retail space offer is so good I cannot believe BoBelle missed applying for it!

The scheme was set up to help start-up fashionistas to promote themselves and their wonderful products in their own pop-up shop.

BoBelle took part in a pop-up concession in Topshop (myself and Bobelle in the photo on the left!) on Oxford Circus which was so successful, albeit incredibly hard work!

In addition, we also had another pop-up shop in Notting Hill on Westbourne Grove.

Pop-up shops are so incredible for any business, especially an internet retailer like BoBelle who has limited funds but needs to get the name out to the masses! If only more competitions were out there at the moment - the one in Dundee seems a really good idea, but it is for three years and being based in London Dundee is a little far!

Let's hope that more businesses and banks offer small retailers more options of free retail space!

Claire

Ps, register to WIN an Athena Eel Skin Leather Purse at Business Womens Cafe: http://www.businesswomenscafe.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=18818&catid=30&Itemid=190

Dressing for Wimbledon

Well, Wimbledon has finally come and what a wonderful start it has been with the weather! I think it is officially time to take the skinny jeans off and change into floaty dresses and pretty skirts. Enjoy the summer months ahead and treat yourelf to something colourful this season.

Lots of internet sites including Look, Marie Claire et al all offer great advice on how to dress for occassions. Wimbledon is no exception, ladies! I would suggest wearing something comfortable as you will be sitting enjoying the tennis for a long time. However, Wimbledon is a large venue so there will be a chance to walk around and admire the grounds and outdoor courts. What to wear? Go for cotton as it is breathable, wear wedges as they are comfortable and elongate your legs fabulously! As for accessories? Either wear chunky jewellery with a handbag such as BoBelle's handmade eel skin leather Hemera Handbag, see http://www.bobelle.co.uk/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=100004 (left)

Or alternatively accessorize with our hand made Theia Clutch Bag http://www.bobelle.co.uk/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&category_id=76&Itemid=100005 - the Theia Clutch is so feminine with the bow, yet has that exceptional 'vintage-feel' as the eel skin leather is so unique. Remember that the leather used is a by-product of the food industry in Korea where eels are extensively farmed for their meat and the skin is discarded. (see Theia Clutch Bag below)

Fortunately, lots of shops are now embracing fair trade and eco-fashion. Why not pop to your local charity shop and see what is on offer? I was in Kensington yesterday and the beauties in the charity shops there were fantastic! At least there is no chance of bumping into someone who is wearing the same outfit as you!

Enjoy the tennis, I certainly will on Monday! Let's just pray for warm weather - though don't forget the sunscreen!

Claire