Thursday 30 January 2014

Fiorelli HQ Style: Elle

We’re always reaching out and asking you to share your own Fiorelli styles with us, so, we thought that maybe it was around about time that we gave you a sneak peek into our own wardrobes and showed you how we’re styling our favourite Fiorelli bags too.

So, this week, 
we've asked our lovely International Team Administrator Elle Lamb to show us how she’s styling her very own Mini Harper!



For the office, Elle has teamed her Mini Harper with a structured coat, a pair of Topshop shorts, and a cool pair of shearling trim boots that she bought whilst on holiday in New York. For an evening look, she she’d switch to a stylish leather skirt and a pair of heels.




Tell us about your style?
I love to wear monochrome outfits and add a bright twist to the look by adding a vibrant handbag or pair of heels.

Favourite Style Icon?
My Favourite style icon has to be Alexa Chung as she always looks so effortlessly chic.

Other Fashion Inspirations?
I often read fashion glossies, or even turn to bloggers for inspiration such as Liberty London Girl.

Favourite Trends?
Colour blocking is my favourite trend, and I’m looking forward to hopefully seeing more tailored trousers and little jackets on the London Fashion Week catwalks!

Favourite Style of Handbag?
I often carry a Hobo style if I’m wanting to keep my outfit casual and relaxed but then I switch to a tote shape for a smarter look, as they’re easy to shop with but still look fashionable.

Why did you choose the Mini Harper?
I went for leopard as it’s perfect for adding a playful twist into my monochrome outfits, and for storage, as although it looks small, it’s surprising just how much you can fit inside of it


What do you think of Elle's look with the mini Harper? You can get the look right here. Don't forget to share your own #FiorelliStyle with us on Twitter or Instagram at @Fiorelli_Bags!


Wednesday 29 January 2014

Where to go for Afternoon Tea in London

There are very few problems which cannot be solved by a pot of Earl Grey, great company and a slice of Victoria sponge. We all need a bit of cheering up during the darker months of the year and although we’re technically supposed to be Team Health Kick, it's everything in moderation right? Join Fiorelli as we explore the best afternoon tea locations in London.

Best for Luxury: Claridges


The Mayfair located Claridge's is the crème de la crème of glamour. Serving as a high end hotel and restaurant, Claridge's boasts a world-class clientele which has included past guests Steve Carell, Rita Ora and Lana del Ray to name a few.
Dine in style here, with an afternoon tea menu to die for. From the classic afternoon tea to the more extravagant Champagne package, choose from over 30 different teas accompanied by seasonal treats such as apple and raisin scones with Marco Polo jelly and Cornish clotted cream – it's heavenly!

Best for Healthy Indulgence: Browns Hotel

*Left: traditional afternoon tea Right: Tea-Tox Image Source

We know what you’re thinking, how can afternoon tea be healthy? Well it turns out it's quite simple. Browns Hotel have come up with an impressive alternative to the typical afternoon tea package with their ‘Tea-Tox’ option. Low-carb, low-fat and low-sugar- that’s the thought process behind the Tea-Tox.

The options are surprisingly tempting, with smoked chicken and guacamole entrées, flour-less chocolate hazelnut cakes and lime jelly being just a small selection of what’s on offer. The best news is that if you don’t fancy the healthy option you can opt for the more indulgent version (as pictured). There’s always one person who is on a diet; this creative concept by Brown’s provides a happy solution for every member of the tasting party.

Best for Fashionistas: The Berkeley



Take your passion for fashion one step further with this award-winning afternoon tea from The Berkeley Hotel in Knightsbridge. Perfectly situated between Buckingham Palace and the upmarket Knightsbridge high street, the Prêt-à-Portea afternoon tea is inspired by the colours and themes of the high-fashion world.

Even the menu takes on a unique fashion spin with trend and designer led titles such as ‘Autumn/Winter collection’ and ‘couture champagne’. The food itself is of course fashion focused too with bite size Victoria sponge slices in the shape of designer handbags and trench coat iced ginger biscuits. Delish!

Dine in style by arriving at the venue with a knock-out necklace or head-turner handbag such as the Fiorelli Harper in Mandarin. Mandarin is the colour of the season with every major fashion label championing the colour in their latest collection - be sure to stay ahead of the trend with us here at Fiorelli.


Do you have a sweet tooth? We’d love to hear about your favourite tea-time spots - Tweet  to tell us at @Fiorelli_Bags.


Sunday 26 January 2014

Trend Alert: Rainbow Brights

As we enter the last stretch of January we're starting to dream of summer - longer days, cocktails and, most importantly, new trends hitting the rails. Though the weather may still be grey, it's no excuse for a dull wardrobe - our latest selection of colour-pop styles will have you passing over those muted tones for a brighter, more fun look to take us into Spring/Summer.

Meet the new bold additions to our SS14 collection...

Mini Harper Grab, Limeade
Nothing will refresh your wardrobe quicker than a zesty citrus hue, and our limeade mini Harper grab is an easy style to wear day or night. The perfect update to this season's monochrome trend, Lime is one of SS14's must-wear colours. Our style suggestion? Wear with a pair of black and white floral printed trousers, a fitted tee and a pair of slick strapped sandals for laid-back yet elegant evening style.



Amelia Grab, Orange
Looking to impress your friends with your new weekend style? With our bold orange Amelia grab on your arm, you'll never blend into the crowd. With plenty of room for all your off-duty essentials, this is the ultimate slouchy grab to pull any look together. For chic casual style, this bright orange grab is the perfect hue to clash SS14's favourite candyfloss pink with.


Kenzie Tote, Red
Make sure your colleagues stand up and take notice of your office style with our red Kenzie tote. This stylishly oversized bag will take you seamlessly from boardroom to bar, and make sure you stay looking fabulous throughout the day!  For workwear style with a wow factor, choose a graphic-printed pencil skirt, chiffon wrap blouse and heeled ankle boots and wear a look that means business. 


How will you wear the colour-pop trend this season? Share your bold and bright #FiorelliStyle with us on Instagram and Twitter and tag @Fiorelli_Bags in your style snaps.

Wednesday 22 January 2014

Red Carpet Style Inspiration

We might only be in January, but already a string of award shows have taken place and with them an entourage of stunning outfits modelled by Hollywood’s finest stars. From the effortless Lupita Nyong’o to the seductive Margot Robbie, let’s take a look at the cream of the award show crop.

Amy Adams at the Golden Globes



Amy Adams dazzled in American Hustle. The knock-out American actress turned heads in the hit film with a myriad of glamorous 70’s outfits including an ivory fedora, matching fur collared coat and kitten heels.

It came as no surprise then that American Hustle scooped the award for Best Motion Picture- we were hooked by the film’s sassy style! Choosing to channel the same 70’s throwback style at the Golden Globes, Adams chose a plunge neck, block coloured halter dress which quite literally matched the red carpet. 

Lupita Nyong’o at The Sag Awards


12 Years a Slave star Lupita Nyong’o looked radiant at The SAG Awards in this turquoise maxi number with intricate flower detailing. Newcomer Lupita has been nominated for a string of awards for her powerful performance in 12 Years a Slave- a rising star we expect we’ll be seeing a lot more of on our screens.

Margot Robbie at The Golden Globes


Neighbours star Margot Robbie had few film credits in her back catalogue prior to The Wolf of Wall Street, but this Aussie actress is definitely one to watch after her performance as the racy Naomi Lapaglia.

Despite her high-maintenance look in Wall Street, Robbie confessed she was ‘revolted’ by the intense beauty regime of her character, preferring the minimal look in real life. Robbie looked every inch the star at the GG’s in a figure hugging white dress with embellished detailing- classy and elegant.


Image Source: Dress, Bag, Earrings, Necklace


Red carpet fashion is the height of glamour. Recreate your own award show fashion look with our gorgeous detachable Dixie clutch and a striking black cocktail dress. Add a pair of nude heels and a touch of frosting to complete the look. Cameras at the ready!”
 

Who is your celebrity red carpet style icon? Tweet to @Fiorelli_Bags to tell us!



Sunday 19 January 2014

January Handbag Essentials

We're past the hump and have made it over half-way through January! With Christmas and the festive season just a distant memory, we're back into the solid work/life routine. If you've sorted your winter wardrobe and have your style sorted for whatever the weather is going to throw at you next, then it's time to give the contents of your handbag the same love. We've chosen our top handbag must-haves to ensure that you're not caught short this season.


The Bag
First up, the right bag is of course the most important element here. For this occasion, we've chosen our cut-out Paris tote bag - roomy enough to carry all of your essentials, but smart enough that it won't look out of place in the office, the Paris tote is every Fiorelli woman's dream handbag to see her through this season!



The Purse
Every gorgeous handbag needs a companion. This season we're clashing our bag with our purse, and our leopard Harper purse is the perfect stand-out style to do this with. Best of all? In such a bold print, you'll never find yourself fishing around in the depths of your bag looking for your purse again. 


The Umbrella
With the British weather more unpredictable than ever, you won't find us leaving home without our trusty umbrella. The windswept look notoriously difficult to pull off, make sure that if you're going to be caught in the rain under a brolly, you'd better do it in style! We've picked our top 3 umbrellas to make sure that even in the wettest weather, you still look fabulous! 


The Beauty Products
Alongside compromising style, the harsh winter weather can also take a toll on your skin. For dry and chapped hands, we can't get enough of Eve Lom's hand cream, with a rich and gentle formula to keep hands soft and smooth at all times. Next up is Clarins' Beauty Flash Balm - our skincare saviour that will deeply nourish while leaving skin looking matte, perfect for that no make-up look. Finally, add a slick of colour to your lips when you arrive at the office with NARS' 'Red Lizzard' lipstick for that chic flush of red. 


The Snacks
Did you know that during the colder months you use more energy trying to stay warm, hence that tired and sluggish feeling? That's why it's more important than ever to keep your energy levels up, bringing us on to our last handbag essential - snacks! We all love an excuse to indulge, and with a new flurry of foods that are as healthy as they are delicious, we can't resist. Rich in antioxidants, goji berries are known to improve circulation and boost the immune system - cover them in dark chocolate and we're sold! 



What are your January handbag essentials? Tweet to tell us or show us what's in your handbag on Instagram by tagging @FiorelliBags!

Wednesday 15 January 2014

Fiorelli's Workwear Fashion Forecast

Shake up your office wardrobe in time for spring with Fiorelli’s fashion forecast. From feminine pastels to shift blouses, stay leaps ahead of the competition and ace the office style stakes. Did somebody say “Most Stylish Co-worker Award 2014”?


*Image Sources: Umbrella, Blazer, Bag

This is the most wearable office trends for 2014 and one which owned the catwalks at New York’s S/S Fashion Week. Introduce colour back into your wardrobe gradually in the form of structured lilac silhouettes, mandarin shoulder bags and salmon pink umbrellas.


Boxy shouldered, cropped silhouettes, it’s your time to shine this year. Cropped jackets are officially in for spring. Whether patterned, striped, plain, printed or textured the cropped jacket will suit a range of office outfits while giving you that extra little something which sets you apart from the pack. Fact: a woman can never have enough jackets, handbags or shoes.

Button Down Shirts


The masculine trend will be given a modern update this spring, as high street collections everywhere introduce contrast collar, button-down shirts in addition to their usual offerings. In the past, fashion designers have treaded the feminine-masculine path carefully, choosing to dabble mainly in specially selected brogues and structured blazers. 

However, all that is about to change thanks to the New York S/S Fashion Week- large quantities of crisp, masculine shirts in contrasting colours and textured styles graced the female catwalk. Wear yours tucked into a pencil skirt or teamed with tailored trousers and brogues for maximum, power dressing effect.

*Image Source (From L-R) Pink, Gingham, Textured, Graphic

Introducing the shift blouse, ideal for days where we want to channel some laid-back luxe, but still stay smart. The shift blouse is essentially a dressier, luxe version of the humble t-shirt. Sophisticated and stylish, the shift blouse is uncomplicated to style and will look effortless paired with skinny jeans, or a shift skirt for ultimate comfort. 


On the lookout for more fashion inspiration? Like us on Facebook for regular fashion updates, or Follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @Fiorelli_Bags and share your workwear #FiorelliStyle with us too!

Friday 10 January 2014

Detox Your Make-Up Bag for 2014

So far this year we’ve given you on advice on how to detox your diet, wardrobe and work life, but now it’s time to give the same treatment to your make up bag and beauty regime.

A common habit among beauty beginners and addicts alike is easily the hoarding of make-up and beauty products, regardless of their age or purpose on their vanity table. Are you the guilty owner of an unused or excessive make-up stash? We’re here to help you breathe new life into your beauty regime! 


Step 1: Find a Make-Up Bag You Can Be Proud Of
The same way that a new handbag will refresh your style and give your old clothes an instant update, a brand new and clean make up bag is the perfect way to kick off this resolution. Our tip? Don’t go too oversized - the larger your new make up bag, the more tempted you will be to fill it with with products and accessories that, though they may be take on the season’s must-try trends, your face remains relatively untouched by! Our Juliet clutch is our go-to accessory that doubles as a fabulous make-up bag - in a bright orchid hue or bold leopard print, you’ll never use it in your drawers or handbag. 



Step 2: Get Back to Basics
It’s just as important to find your own make up style as it is to have your own look. If you don’t pander to the latest trends to hit the rails, be sure not to do so when a new product arrives at beauty counters either. If you feel that you’ll never be able to recreate the face that a trained cosmetic consultant can flawlessly apply for you, don’t bow to the pressure of buying that lipstick, eyeshadow or blusher. If you have your own tired and tested routine that works, don’t change it. As the old saying goes “if it ‘aint broke, don’t fix it”! Make sure that your beauty bag is only filled with your favourites, whether it’s the foundation you’ve used since you were a teen, or that perfect red lipstick.



Step 3: Streamline the Selection
With an ever expanding array of multi-purpose make-up, it’s easier than ever to condense your own collection. Tinted moisturisers are a simple way to clear the clutter, combining the nourishing powers of your day cream with the coverage of a foundation, and this season’s must-have BB and CC creams will brighten and even your complexion meaning you can ditch the blusher and bronzer altogether. Not only does this reduce the weight of your make-up bag, but it will also cut down the amount of time you need to get ready in the mornings meaning an extra few minutes in bed - we can’t argue with that logic!



Step 4: Know When to Throw
Has your mascara become a little clumpy, or is your foundation starting to smell or your compact beginning to crumble? Have you unearthed an eyeshadow palette and don’t know why you bought it in the first place? Rather than banishing old or unused products to the bottom of your make-up bag, take a deep breath and throw them away. You’ll feel better for getting rid of the old to make way for the new, and your skin will thank you for stopping using products and brushes that may have become infested with dirt or bacteria - never a good look!



Are you giving your make-up bag a detox? Share your refreshed beauty bag photos with us on Instagram and tag your style snaps with @Fiorelli_Bags.


Thursday 9 January 2014

How to Get Ahead in your Career

It’s a brand New Year which means that you’re probably thinking about small changes to improve your life! So, like most of us, you’ve probably already evoked upon a regime of healthy eating and maybe even joined a gym. So, now that you’ve got your health and fitness all figured out, what about your work life? Whether you’re looking for a brand new job this year, or just eager to progress within your current career, we've got a few tips in order to help you to get ahead. 



1) Get Organised

Organising both your time and workspace is a must as it’ll help you to prioritise your most important tasks and feel more in control of your workload. Why not treat yourself to a stylish new diary to note down all of your appointments, and then blitz your desk! Throw away any useless clutter and invest in some handy ring binders and dividers to organise your paper work. A clear space means a clear mind, just watch your productivity rate increase!

2) Stay Busy 

Don’t wait around to be given a new task if you suddenly find yourself with a spout of free time. Find lower priority tasks to do (even if this means tidying up!) and your hard work won’t go unnoticed. It’ll create the impression that you’re hard-working and pro-active, and you’re more likely to be presented with new challenges… and that could may well include the promotion that you've had your eye on!

3) Get Plenty of Rest

Everybody has to have their beauty sleep with the average person needing between 7-9 hours per night, and that’s never more essential than on a work night. Not having a good enough night’s sleep affects your ability to concentrate and makes you less likely to remember new information! And it even makes you more likely to suffer from illnesses like depression, so, if you’re feeling down about your work situation right now, it’s only going to make you feel worse in the long run!


4) Never Stop Learning 

If you don’t understand something ask somebody who does, it’s important to be self -sufficient in your job role and not have to rely upon others. You should always aim to be the best that you can be in your role, which means taking the initiative to seek out training courses be it on location or even by using online material. There are so many free online courses available these days that you have no excuses! And if you’re ever stuck in a job that you hate and feeling unmotivated about doing any extra learning, remember that it could be this which helps you to secure your new dream job.  

5) Power Dress

Never underestimate the power of dressing presentably, especially if you’re working directly with clients. If your appearance says that you don’t care, then people could quickly begin thinking that this is the same kind of attitude that you apply to your work ethic. Our tip? Add a statement accessory to your workwear style for a look that's sure to grab your colleagues' attention in the office. Add our cobalt Harper portfolio to our weekday wardrobe for style that will have you raring to go!



So, now that you read ours, what are your tips for career progression? Why not share them with us on Twitter



Wednesday 8 January 2014

How To Kick Start your New Year with Healthy Food Trends

Here at Fiorelli, we’re in a full new year's health kick. Out with the luxury chocolate boxes and in with the (healthier) courgette cake. Did somebody say 22 day vegan diet? Bring it on. Wheatgrass shots? We’ll take 6. Join us as we embrace this year’s healthiest food trends in a bid to get fit, live clean and start 2014 as we mean to go on.

22 Day Vegan Challenge


With Beyoncé and Jay-Z championing the 22 Day Vegan Challenge, we’re intrigued. The challenge to wave goodbye to meat, fish and dairy for 22 days was recently introduced by exercise expert Marco Borges who believes it takes at least 3 weeks to break through and get used to a new habit.

Eating a plant based diet might sound limiting, but we’ve been amazed at the variety of delicious vegan recipes out there, from stuffed avocado salads to triple berry smoothies and sundried tomato hummus, we can’t wait to try the challenge. 

Image Source *A selection of what Beyoncé ate during the 22 day vegan challenge




Wheatgrass was a popular morning-after drink choice at UK music festivals last summer. One 30ml shot of this plant super food is believed to contain up to 1kg worth of fruit and vegetables- ideal for beating a hangover! With immune boosting and detoxing benefits, it’s easy to see why wheatgrass is the most hotly tipped drink for 2014.

Beetroot Cake


Not ones to turn down a slice of Victoria sponge or red velvet, we’ve been looking at how to get our cake fix, the healthy way. Although it contains a small amount of dark chocolate, this Chocolate and Beetroot cake recipe is so tempting and a great healthy alternative to the usually calorific chocolate cake. After all, you’ve got to treat yourself every now and again, right?

Are you on team healthy this 2014? Tweet us your favourite healthy recipes @Fiorelli_Bags



Thursday 2 January 2014

Discover our Favourite S/S 14 Trends

Happy New Year to our Fiorelli fans! And what a better way to start the new year than by thinking about all of the new S/S 14 fashion trends just upon the horizon! So, we’re going to share the top three trends that we just can’t wait to begin wearing, as well as give you another sneak peek at some of our stylish pieces of arm candy that are due to launch soon in time for Spring!

Fancy Fondants


Those pastel fondant shades are back once again for S/S14 and were seen upon most of the leading runways such as Burberry Prorsum, whereby model of the moment Cara Delevingne strutted her stuff in a striking candyfloss pink number! You can work this trend yourself with our Logan shoulder bag which we’re transforming into cosmetic pink later this Spring. For now however, if you love the Logan shoulder's style, you can shop it in tan, black, and mandarin.

Monochrome


Monochrome is showing no signs of budging for yet another season, which means that you can use your old season buys and still be up-to-date with the latest fashion trends! For S/S 14, expect to see a plethora of monochrome pieces injected with elegant floral prints upon the high street. Our slouchy Serena Hobo will be going monochrome later this Spring too, so, keep your eyes peeled for this much have piece! 


Feisty Florals 


Power florals are set to be a key trend this S/S14 with the catwalks showcasing a range of bold blooms and even 3D blossoms. So, get ready for our Flora grab to get a summer floral make-over! Blooming with a busy floral print, you’ll be sure to be on-trend with this little gem when it lands. 

Which trend are you most looking forward to wearing this S/S14? Or are you already wearing you next season trends? If so, show us by tagging your photos at us on Twitter or Instagram