LFW (en route via M&M's world....)

Having had a fabulous newtworking lunch with those wonderful ladies from Kleinwort Benson, I thought I would stroll the 2 and a something miles through Mayfair and central London to view some of the collections at LFW. It was a glorious day and whilst ambling through the crowds at Regent Street down to Piccadilly and beyond, what do I stumble across but the biggest M&M's shop ever - in fact its proper name is 'M&S's World'. Wow. I used to love M&M's as a child! Just in case you hadn't seen this chocolate haven, have a peek here:

Isn't it amazing what a brand can do? The layout was oh-so-clever as you had to go downstairs to get to where the actual sweets are, thus having to walk through the cushions, mugs and toys in order to get there (increasing your chances of buying something on the way). Not to mention passing the lady at the front who asks if you'd like a basket. Really, very clever layout.

Having satisfied my chocolate fix without actually purchasing any (I may be a fan of business and strategies, but paying over £2.00 for 100g of M&M's is just robbery! As if they advertised the price anyhow, that was only divulged when you got to the till and realise your child has totted up a £20 bag of chocolate...) Anyway, I was off to LFW to enjoy the exhibitions and to enjoy a cheeky cocktail or two with a friend of mine (who is so lucky as not only does she go to the Burberry and Mulberry shows, she also received a personal invite from Erdem. I was not jealous....obviously).

The day was stunning with bright blue skies and wonderful, wonderful fashion:

I haven't yet been to New York fashion week, so I cannot really comment, but all I can say is 'wow' to the setting for LFW - where else is simply more breath takingly eye catching than Somerset House? Truly stunning. BoBelle London has some gorgeous new accessories launching for the Christmas period and our new website (launched NOW!) is set to be a real winner with you all, I think.....Fashion is very important to us Brits and I hope my London label is loved by you all for its sleek and classic designs, amazing quality finishing and subtle branding. The economy might be a little wobbly right now, but invest in all things long-lasting, such as those accessories from BoBelle London, and you will thank yourself in years to come. Great Britain has to nurture new businesses and designers to help push through this tough time - LFW is so monumental and deserves all of the fabulous attention it gets. Long let it reign.

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

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

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!