Fiorelli's Style Notes

Simple. Elegant. Beautiful. Introducing Fiorelli Established

2011-12-14T03:51:00.000-08:00

We are proud to introduce our brand new sub-brand, Fiorelli Established. Comprising of simple, elegant and beautiful designs, the collection is full of styles to wear today and love forever. Adhering to the heritage of Fiorelli, these stylish bags are designed for everyday functionality

Elegant, timeless shapes are adorned in classic colours and textures, presenting you with a range of handbags to suit every occasion.

Designed to last from season to season, women will enjoy the simplistic elegance of Fiorelli Established and see each piece as a timeless investment.

Click here to view the full collection.

Behind the scenes of the first ever Fiorelli London photo shoot!

2011-11-30T08:26:00.000-08:00

As our new sub-brand, Fiorelli London, has now launched exclusively online we thought we would treat you to a sneak peak of the behind the scenes footage from the first ever Fiorelli London photo shoot!

Back in September, we packed up the new London collection (which had been finalized just in time!) and made our way across to edgy East London to the traditional London café we had rented for the day. Full of classic London charm, this was the perfect location for the first ever Fiorelli London shoot, thanks to its classic London associations and fashionable location.

Our lovely model gets into the Fiorelli London spirit!

We shut down the whole café, which not only meant we could get our lovely model climbing all over the tables, but we also had the staff on hand to provide us with delicious drinks and snacks all day!

Climbing all over the tables, thank god we had the place to ourselves!

As we got to grips with the wild and wacky styling, we realized just how fun this new Fiorelli London collection is. It’s the kind of styling where anything goes, the wilder the better!

Clashing colours, textures and prints - it's what Fiorelli London is all about!

Take a look through the pictures, and let us know your favourite Fiorelli London bag! We are so excited about this new collection, we think our wonderful photographer Theo Cohen did an amazing job capturing the charm and essence of Fiorelli London!

P.S....

Our favourite shot of the whole day... Theo's assistant, Adam, shows off his best model pose. Isn't he a natural?!

Fiorelli London has landed!

2011-11-29T09:42:00.000-08:00

Introducing Fiorelli London!

We are overwhelmed with excitement here at Fiorelli HQ, as our brand new sub-brand Fiorelli London has just launched!

Available exclusively online at Fiorelli.com until January, Fiorelli London is a new collection of accessories that isn’t afraid to stand out from the crowd! Key shapes hot off the catwalk come in clashing neon colours and bold prints and textures with the intention of truly making a style statement.

From handbags, to purses, to iPad sleeves the collection has it all. The Putney iPad sleeves come in an array of amazing prints and textures and will suit the needs of the trend driven digital natives.

The vast colour palette plays with juicy bright block colours in acid red, neon pink and flashes of aquamarine. Nautical stripes extend playtime and polka dots add a girly twist, whilst flashes of leopard and snake print give an exotic feel to the collection.

The new range from Fiorelli London will keep fashion followers on their toes, and leave you wanting more!

Be sure to check out the full collection, exclusively at www.fiorelli.com!

Introducing AW11

2011-09-09T04:53:00.000-07:00

Introducing Fiorelli’s AW11 collection. Delivering designs that are focused on this season’s must have trends, the latest offering from Fiorelli is a must have this season.

Designs focus on the essential qualities to bring organised, allocated space into your accessories. A rich colour palette of earthy hues, combine the warmth of oxblood and tan with the depth of navy. Colour blocking of neutral shades softens the tone and lightens the collection. ‘Floris’ uses colour blocking to its full extent with neutral panels standing as a back drop to make the darker angles more prominent.

Floris Black and White mix - £79

Floris Chocolate mix - £79

The multifunctional components of the collection are designed to be rearranged and reassembled. The use of detachable shoulder straps turn functional cross bodies into statement grabs. Hidden and zipped pockets effectively work along side inside & outside pockets; while large compacted compartments utilise your accessory to keep you organised within your own space. ‘Angelo’ uses organised clean cut lines to sustain its functional beauty; structured large compartments hold the strong shape while the interior sees space for zipped and open pockets. ‘Bartolozzi’ constructs frame work alternatively by edging the centre of the outside pockets with metal hardware.

Angelo in Navy £89

Bartolozzi in Natural £69

Luxurious fur finishes are teamed with opulent hardware giving the collection a coveted place in this season’s texture trend. Simple structure and statement zips give the ‘Turner’ large grab a fashionable edge that will sit perfectly in the workplace or casually during the day.

Rich, jewel tones shine through the ‘Kono’ collection, adding a eye-popping addition to the collection.

Kono in Orange £45

Luxe beading and sequin details, seen in ‘Rosa’, ‘Bojangles’ and ‘Twilight’ add a high gloss finish which will outshine all other accessories in the lead up to the party season.

Behind The Scenes of the Winter 2011 Shoot

2011-09-08T05:40:00.000-07:00

'Turner'

As our glamorous winter collection launches, we thought we would treat you to an exclusive look at our amazing photo shoot! Way back in March we packed up our favourite samples from the collection and made our way to the top of the Central Line to Essex!

'Blake'

After a short taxi ride, we were greeted by an astonishingly beautiful house, set in stunning grounds. As we drove closer to the house it became apparent that despite its grand exterior, it was in fact, in a state of disrepair. Built in 1750, within 3000 acres of land, the house was one of the finest of its time, hosting many a grand party and sleeping some of the wealthiest people in the country. We can only begin to imagine some of the riches those walls have seen! Devastatingly, the house was destroyed by a fire in 1917, leaving it unoccupied since then. The story behind this amazing set worked perfectly with the theme of our shoot, which encompassed the story of a downtrodden countess, who, having lived a life of luxury, suddenly finds herself in a situation without her riches. Unable to let go of her past life, she now encompasses a life of rich vs. poor, and carries a downtrodden-glamour look of luxury dresses teamed with casual tweed jackets.

The final touches are made before we start the shoot

Bling-tastic!

This look of casual vs. luxe supported our new collection of bags perfectly; rich fur detailing and oversized gems adorning casual every day shapes alongside simple, vintage inspired shapes.

After hair and makeup were completed (in a freezing room in the old house!), we went exploring the grounds to find the perfect setting for our different shots. It’s fair to say we were spoilt for choice! The mature grounds set the scene perfectly, hinting at a gloomy secret garden atmosphere.

The staff at the house were a definite highlight of the day. Not only did they give us a full tour of the house and grounds, they also treated us to delicious food and drink, even bringing us afternoon tea in a wheelbarrow!

Who's for cake?

The Crew!

We are so pleased with this shoot, it really compliments our winter collection, and we couldn’t be happier with the outcome!

Theo and Georgie have a 'camera-off'

'Bojangles'

'Kono'

'Rosa'

'Deco'

'Warhol'

'Turner'

A big Thank You from Fiorelli HQ

2011-08-31T02:19:00.001-07:00

Vote Fiorelli in the Company High Street Fashion Awards 2011!

2011-08-04T05:24:00.000-07:00

We're nominated not once, but twice!

It’s that time of year again girls! Fiorelli has once again been nominated, not once, but twice in Company magazine’s High Street Fashion Awards!

The awards highlight reader’s favourite places to shop on the high street, and we need your help to crown Fiorelli as Best Bags (in association with Diet Coke) and Best Fashion Retailer!

By entering your votes you could be in with the chance to win a VIP shopping trip to London, worth £1,500 – so what are you waiting for?!

Voting closes on September 25^th 2011, so get your votes in quick!

Click here to vote www.company.co.uk/high-street-fashion-awards-2011

Love

Fiorelli x

Leading by Example! The Fiorelli web team party with Example at the iTunes Festival

2011-07-28T08:55:00.000-07:00

Camden's famous Roundhouse was our venue for the night!

Last night the Fiorelli web team were lucky enough to get tickets to go and see Example at the iTunes Festival at the Roundhouse in Camden. We left Fiorelli HQ and hopped on the tube across town to Camden, where we set about looking for a bite to eat before the concert kicked off. We came across some amazing food stalls by the canal, with an incredible seating area made out of old mopeds! After dining on some delicious food from all around the world, we still had some time to spare so we wondered to a little pub to grab a quick drink, where we came across an amazing open mic night. We heard some amazing versions of classic songs from the likes of Amy Winehouse and Shakira and had to tear ourselves away to head to the Roundhouse!

The whole crowd permanently had their arms in the air!

As we got there (a little later than planned…) we found a long queue for the guest list tickets – it turns out we had missed our window to enter the concert on the guest list! Never ones to give up, we persevered with the queue, and despite being told by the giant bouncers that we probably wouldn’t get in, we were eventually granted entry! Our timing was pretty much perfect; Example had just got on stage and the crowd was buzzing! His stage presence was incredible, and he got the entire Roundhouse up on their feet within the first few minutes. After performing a string of tracks from his album, and a few exclusive new tracks, he got onto his chart topping hits and the atmosphere exploded! Everyone was dancing and singing along, and there was even a mosh pit! Example obviously loved our reaction to his music, and actively encouraged the mosh pits in front of him.

Chaka and Georgie get in a party mood!

It was an incredible set; the songs sounded amazing live and it cemented Example as our go to artist for a failsafe party song!

Have you been to any concerts at the iTunes festival? We’d love to hear your stories!

We Only Say Goodbye With Words...

2011-07-25T07:26:00.000-07:00

This weekend tragically saw the loss of a brilliant and talented artist, Amy Winehouse. Like many of you we were shocked to hear this news. She was an icon, a star and she was one of the great talents of the 21^st century. We all saw her public struggling with addictions but it was her unique style and music that will remain in our memories forever. Take a look at how her fashion influenced today’s catwalks and a few of our favourite songs by Amy Winehouse.

Karl Lagerfield’s models sporting Amy’s famous beehive on the 2008 Chanel catwalk show

R.I.P Amy x

Spotted! Mollie King wears the Monroe clutch bag at the Glamour Awards!

2011-06-10T01:51:00.000-07:00

The Saturdays’ Mollie King has been spotted wearing our Monroe clutch bag in pearl! Attending the Glamour Awards on Tuesday, where the band picked up the award for Best Band, Mollie looked absolutely stunning in a nude satin dress. Accessorising with Fiorelli’s Monroe clutch and nude heels Mollie looked every inch the superstar that she is!

The cutest style of the range, this vintage inspired shape is a must have for a special occasion, whether it’s a night out, a summer wedding, or the races! With its soft pleat detailing and a subtle showering of studs this feminine clutch will sit perfectly with any outfit. Work it like Mollie, and team it with tonal neutral colours for a fabulously on trend look. Now all we need to do to complete Mollie’s look is to find our very own David Gandy to hang off our other arm…

White hot!

2011-06-10T01:15:00.000-07:00

Fresh, clean and crisp white accessories are the key to keep your tan looking golden this summer! Think Mediterranean glamour; sunkissed skin highlighted with bold, striking white accessories.

A bold statement, yet this minimal look is effortlessly sophisticated and chic. Create the ultimate wow factor by going white from head to toe, or take the slightly safer route with clean, white accessories. This classic, elegant trend will look equally fabulous from the beach to evening cocktails!

Smithfields Envelope Clutch - £45

With its on trend envelope shape and pleated detailing, the Smithfields clutch/shoulder is the ideal evening bag. Team it with a maxi dress for a relaxed evening look, or a bold, colour blocking dress for a sexy, high glamour look.

Smithfields Small Clutch - £39

A favourite Fiorelli shape is given an edge with fringing and stud detailing. The Smithfields clutch/shoulder bag is a great evening bag and is sure to add a glamorous edge to your outfit. Team it with denim cut off shorts, a loose shirt and statement wedges for a relaxed hippy-chic look.

Wimbledon Medium Shoulder - £59

With its classic shape and statement fitting this stylish bag is the ultimate accessory! Simple yet sleek, it will effortlessly compliment any look, whether it’s a casual city break outfit, or a flowing summer dress at a beachfront restaurant.

Dorchester Medium Shoulder - £49

A firm Fiorelli favourite! A mock croc finish, subtle Fiorelli hardware and striking white finish gives this classic shape a new and fresh look that will never go out of fashion. Perfect for work or play, this bag will become a staple piece in your wardrobe!

Shades of Summer

2011-06-06T09:48:00.000-07:00

It's that time of the year where sunglasses are this season's must have accessories, so why not style your summer outfit with a pair of Fiorelli sunglasses!

Fashion

Channel a classic, elegant look with these large square framed Fiorelli sunglasses. With their stylish Fiorelli branding and dark frames they are perfect way to add a chic touch to your outfit!

Vintage

With their classic 50’s shape these Fiorelli sunglasses are the perfect way to channel the preppy trend this summer. Available in grey or classic tortoiseshell they will look great with a cute summer outfit.

Fashion - Peach Bow

Fabulously feminine, these soft square sunglasses are finished off with a cute Fiorelli branded bow detail, making them to perfect partner to a pretty summer outfit.

Fashion Unites for Japan

2011-06-01T09:04:00.000-07:00

Some of the most coveted celebrities in the world have joined forces with the editors of Japan Vogue and GQ magazine to create a charity T-shirt project in aid of the survivors of the Japanese earthquake. Celebrities including Karl Lagerfield, Victoria Beckham, Lady Gaga, Blake Lively and Orlando Bloom have all created unique t-shirts adorned with messages of support for the survivors of the earth-shattering quake that rocked the world in March 2011.

The project aims to raise 100 million yen (£757,000) which will be donated through the Japanese Red Cross. T-shirts go on sale at Uniqlo stores from June 25^th, priced at £12.99 each.

Here at Fiorelli HQ we were all devastated by the news of the earthquake and we have fundraising in the office, as well as offering you the chance to add an additional donation with your purchases. You have been overwhelmingly generous since we launched the donation option, we have already raised over £500. We ask you though to continue to dig deep to help support the survivors in getting their life back on track. Please spread the word about the relief efforts, every penny really counts in this case.

With love,

Fiorelli HQ x

Spotted! Emma Rigby wearing Monroe!

2011-05-19T07:40:00.000-07:00

Former Hollyoaks beauty, Emma Rigby, has been spotted wearing Fiorelli’s Monroe clutch bag! Choosing the pearl colour to perfectly compliment her look Emma looked stunning at the launch of the Nina Naustdal Couture store in London.

The cutest style of the Fiorelli range, this vintage inspired shape is a must have for a night out. With its soft pleat detailing and showering of studs this feminine clutch bag will sit perfectly with almost any outfit. With a handy detachable shoulder strap you can effortlessly wear it on your shoulder. Style and versatility – what more could you ask for? Perfect for summer weddings!

Click here to see Monroe

Fiorelli Jewellery has arrived!

2011-05-10T08:01:00.000-07:00

As the summer sunshine descends upon us it’s time to add the finishing touches to our summer wardrobes. Here at Fiorelli HQ we are all celebrating the arrival of our new jewellery collection and are already planning which items to wear with our new summer purchases!

The range has something for every occasion, whether you’re off to a smart wedding, a relaxed festival or a sun-drenched holiday!

Here we have broken the collection down by occasion, see our top picks and let us know how you would wear them!

Occasion Wear – Weddings, Nights Out, Dinner, Black Tie Events

The Fiorelli SS11 jewellery range features some beautiful occasion pieces. Luxe diamante detailing, and striking chandelier drops are the perfect way to effortlessly infuse a chic appeal to your outfit.

Blake Earrings

These elegantly embellished chandelier earrings are a luxe summer style. Perfect for any smart occasion they will add just the right amount of stylish luxe to your look.

Blake earrings - £18

Lichenstein Necklace

Add a touch of vintage charm to your outfit with this pearl and diamante pendant necklace. The simple, chic style will compliment any outfit, looking effortlessly stylish.

Lichenstein necklace - £15

Giotto Necklace

Subtle diamante detailing gives this chunky, angular necklace a luxe finish. Toughen up a feminine look by teaming this necklace with pretty dress

Giotto necklace - £39

Classic Casual – weekend barbeques, city shopping trips, work

Our new jewellery collection offers a range of contemporary, classic styles that will forever be on trend. Perfect for casual, everyday occasions, yet stylish enough to take you through to the evening or wear to work.

Degas Bangle

This dainty bow bangle is the ultimate way to channel the feminine trend this season. Team it with a pretty polka dot dress to achieve a perfect 50’s inspired vintage look.

Degas bangle - £18

Holbein Necklace

A classic style, this chic necklace will look equally stylish whether you wear it with jeans or a cocktail dress.

Holbein necklace - £22

Cezanne Charm Bracelet

This classic charm bracelet is updated with a delicate cut out charm. Wear it to compliment a sleek outfit.

Cezanne charm bracelet - £12

SS11 Trends – Colour Blocking, Nautical, Boho Festival Chic and African Safari

Colour Blocking – the trend of the season. Bright and beautiful colours are the ultimate way to stand out this summer

Matisse Bangles

Be bold and beautiful with these brightly coloured Fiorelli bangles. Perfect for injecting some colour into your outfits. Stack them high for maximum impact. With more colours arriving in June you can build up a real collection of eye-popping colour!

Matisse bangles in Pink and Black - £28 for set

Matisse bangles in Orange and Purple - £28 for set

Matisse bangles in Navy and Cobalt - £28 for set

Manet Bangle

Upgrade your look from simple to statement with this gold and fuchsia stone bangle. Perfect with a stack of our brightly coloured Matisse bangles.

Manet bangle - £25

Nautical – hello sailor! A favourite summer trend, all things water related are key this season.

Gogh Earrings

These statement shell drop earrings are a fabulous addition to your holiday wardrobe. Team with a striped maxi dress for a feminine, nautical inspired look.

Gogh earrings - £12

This pretty shell cluster necklace is the perfect nod to this season’s must have nautical trend. Team with a simple, casual outfit to really make a statement.

Gogh necklace - £15

Johns Necklace

Inspired by glittering water this statement necklace is the ultimate holiday accessory. Available from June.

Johns necklace - £39 - Available from June

Boho Festival Chic – a favourite summer trend, this relaxed feminine style looks great on everyone.

Gaugin Earrings

Achieve an on trend bohemian style with these statement chainmail earrings. Perfect for day or night they are a must-have this season.

Gaugin earrings - £12

Hockney Necklace, Earrings and Bracelet

Vibrant turquoise beads make the Hockney long necklace the perfect boho accessory. Wear it full length or double up for a statement multi-strand effect. Bright turquoise beaded chandelier earrings are the perfect festival accessory, team with a simple outfit for maximum effect. With antique gold detailing the Hockney bracelet is the ultimate nod to vintage boho – a huge trend this summer. Available from June.

Hockney necklace - £39 - Available from June

Hockney earrings - £18 - Available from June

Hockney bracelet - £28 - available from June

Warhol Bracelet

Hand woven with black or orange thread, these retro friendship bracelets are given a touch of boho with statement gold beads. Available from June.

Warhol bracelet - £22 - Available from June

Ramos Necklace

Subtle black rope is contrasted against gold beads for a fabulous boho look. Wear this long necklace with a maxi skirt and simple tank top for maximum effect. Available from June.

Ramos necklace - £28 - Available from June

African Safari – Channel your inner wild child with African inspired shapes, colours and textures.

Hamilton Necklace and Bracelet

The ultimate statement range! Team these taupe coloured, giant stone pieces with neutral colours such as stone, khaki and brown for the perfect African safari look. Available from June.

Hamilton necklace - £49 - Available from June

Hamilton bracelet - £45 - Available from June

What is your favourite piece in the collection? How and where would you wear it?

The Fiorelli girls show off their bags!

2011-04-26T09:53:00.000-07:00

There’s nothing us girls at Fiorelli HQ like more than proudly wearing our bags on a daily basis! As the high summer collection kicks in and the summer sunshine falls upon us, we thought it would be nice to show you how we wear our bags!

So, Holly and Georgie, our Marketing Manager and Ecommerce Editor, chose their favourite Fiorelli bags from their personal collection and went on a tour around London to show them off!

According to Holly and Georgie, the hardest part of the day was limiting the number of bags they chose to take with them. Both openly admitting to a serious handbag addiction, the girls have built up an enviable collection over the years!

Take a look through the photo’s below, and let us know which is your favourite bag and shot! Do you have any of the bags featured? How would you work your bag?

Spitalfields Market - Georgie wears her Portobello Shopper in Indigo and Tan.
"This is the ultimate summer bag! Big enough to fit in a number out outfit changes, I am prepared for anything! Its woven pattern is also right on trend this season. I can't wait to take it away with me on holiday, it will look fab on the beach"

Just off Brick Lane - Holly wears her Bermondsey Large Shopper in cream and indigo, and Georgie wears her Portobello Shopper in indigo and tan.
Holly - "My Bermondsey shopper is the perfect size for carrying all my vintage finds in the markets"

South Molten Street W1 - Georgie wears her Strawberry Lane shoulder bag.
"The ultimate smmer trend - Nautical is the perfect way to get in a summery mood. I love this striking canvas bag - I just need to find a boat now to complete the look!"

South Molten Street W1 - Holly wears her Wimbledon shoulder bag in White.
"There's a reason this has been a best-seller for us, it's just a great everyday bag. The perfect size for work or play, it suits any occassion! I love the bright white colour option, it looks amazing in the summer sunshine."

Hyde Park - Georgie wears her Portobello Crossbody in tan and Holly wears her Virginia satchel in soft white.
Georgie - "I love this cute crossbody, the fringe detailing is stunning. It will be a permanent feature in my festival wardrobe!"
Holly - "People always comment on my Virginia satchel. The quilting is amazing and the satchel shape is set to remain the must have shape!"

Jaks Bar - Walton Street SW3. Georgie wears her Ruby Lane clutch bag in indigo.
"I couldn't resist this little clutch when it first came in! I love wearing it to brighten up an outfit, or clashing it with other bright blues to fit in with the amazing colour blocking trend. I have a few weddings coming up this season, I can't wait to brighten up pretty dresses with it!"

Vote for us in the Prima High Street Fashion Awards!

2011-04-21T03:15:00.000-07:00

We are delighted to announce that Fiorelli has been nominated for two awards in the Prima High Street Fashion awards! We’re up for Best Accessories and Best Online Retailer and we need your help to make us the winners! The winners are entirely based on public votes so we are depending on you to help us win these prestigious awards! By voting you could be in with a chance of winning £500 to spend on the High Street, courtesy of Prima, so what’s stopping you!

Click here to vote for Fiorelli. Thank you!

Fiorelli HQ x

High Summer 2011 Trend Report

2011-03-15T04:52:00.000-07:00

With High Summer products about to hit the shops, it’s time to spruce up your wardrobes and get ready for the sunshine! There are some great trends emerging for this season of sunshine, so read our trend report for the latest must-have looks!

70’s

The seventies are back with a bang! Easily one of the biggest trends of the season, this can be split into two main aesthetics: 70’s bohemian, and 70’s sophisticated glamour. Think tassels, bold prints and loose shapes for seventies bohemian and tailored, high-waists and elegance for sophisticated seventies.

Stripes

Stripes are a dominant part of any Spring/Summer season. Spring 2011 sees stripes with an unsurprising nautical dominance, but hey, it’s a look that works brilliantly in the sunshine so why change it? Dominant stripes are key for this season, navy and white and black and white are the way to really work the look.

Floral Garden Party

What better way to get in the mood for summer than with pretty floral patterns? Think summer garden-party chic, with a bold colour palette and eye catching patterns. Pinks, greens, reds and yellows are key for this look.

Colour Block

It’s about about colour this summer! The colour blocking trend is here to stay right through to Autumn, so get clashing! The brighter the better! Combine two trends in one by colour blocking neon brights and really make a statement.

Denim

The most versatile material in our wardrobe is taking the limelight this season. Double denim is a great look, but if you prefer a less out there look then accessorising with denim is the perfect way to work the look. Our Taylour bag is the perfect for this trend!

McQueen is safe in Burton's hands - Paris Fashion Week AW11

2011-03-09T10:10:00.000-08:00

So, more than ever, all eyes were looking to see what the latest Alexander McQueen would bring. Since McQueen’s tragic death last February, his close friend Sarah Burton has taken over as creative director, and has brilliantly bridged the gap between celebration and still-shocking disbelief surrounding McQueen’s unexpected death.

Taking a different direction from her first stand-alone collection for the label, this season saw a collection of exquisite pieces, created by outstanding workmanship and attention to detail. Corsetry was contrasted with amazing pleating, presenting a confident collection that still represented the label perfectly, but also added its own stamp.

The styling will still generate shock and horror (it’s McQueen after all!), with silver metallic skull caps and leather shoulder harnesses, however, there was a real sense of brilliant construction to create beautiful clothes.

A soft, almost monotonal colour palette gave the collection a soft finish, yet the McQueen feeling was maintained with whiteout make-up and spray on leggings. Feathers were a huge theme, along with strong shapes and structure which gave the collection a sense of robotic elegance. The bird theme continued at the sound of a flock of birds taking flight played over the speakers as a mix of tweed and feather suits took to the runway.

It’s safe to say that the house of McQueen is safe in Burton’s hands.

Chanel explodes at Paris Fashion Week AW11

2011-03-08T10:06:00.000-08:00

It’s International Women’s Day and Karl Lagerfield’s collection for Chanel literally exploded onto the catwalk! Fire and brimstone, boiler suits, biker boots, a wooden boardwalk over smoking piles of lava and a CC drawbridge appearing out of clouds of dry ice ensured a dramatic post-apocalyptic feel at the most anticipated show of the week.

Models were wrapped up in trouser suits with cropped jackets and pleat front trousers teamed with heavy, flat brogues. Tweeds were thick and dense, with raw edges and finished in black and grey, with bold flashes of red or green, or metallic weave – adding a touch of glamour to an otherwise raw survival theme.

It was a classic juxtaposition of tough vs. feminine, with boiler suits made of fine, embellished lace rolled up in leather at the cuffs and ankles to reveal pointed kitten heel court shoes. Princess style coats and empire line dresses were embellished with feathers and lace, giving a fresh play on the typical texture seen at Chanel. In an uncharacteristically serious show, Lagerfield injected some humour with a quilted, rubberized felt boiler suit.

A strong move forward from Lagerfield’s couture show, which was young, girlish and full of sweet dresses and pumps. This was hard and androgynous.

Sexy 70's at Chloe - Paris Fashion Week AW11

2011-03-07T09:44:00.000-08:00

Hannah MacGibbon has done it again and delivered a collection that is full of signature pieces synonymous with the Chloe girl – ponchos, dungarees, denim and super-wide trousers. It is a classic Seventies look with a modern attitude that makes us proud to know that a British designer was behind it.

The big story of this collection was snakeskin. It was printed on soft, chiffon blouses, paired with suede and leather panels on jumpsuits, dyed and knitted into dresses and even bucket-shaped leather bags had snake’s faces for clasps.

A bold colour palette also added a new dimension to the brand, with slashes of red and green, mint and grey and a rainbow of blanket kaftan. Mixed textures were also key, with leather, cashmere and knits all blending together.

MacGibbon has reinvented Seventies clichés – giving previously frumpy shapes sex appeal and teaming classic shapes with modern lines to provide an instant makeover.

Family Girl - Stella McCartney at Paris Fashion Week AW11

2011-03-07T06:35:00.000-08:00

Stella McCartney’s show provided a much-needed bright start to Paris Fashion Week, after the solemn mood that took hold after all the controversy surrounding Galliano.

Family was a big theme of the show, perfectly personifying the yummy mummy that Stella dresses oh so well - Natalia Vodianova arrived surrounded a brood of gorgeous children and Paul McCartney was in the audience and, as usual, had his voice playing for the finale of the show, which was, again, dedicated to Stella’s family: “to all my babies, husband, family and team” said the show notes.

The season’s trend of menswear for girls was perfect for Stella’s collection – oversized blazer dresses with exaggerated shoulders in soft, brushed cashmere floated down the catwalk, as well as large cable knits over loose trousers. A real sense of wearability came out of the show – practicality was teamed with new fresh ideas. Don’t get too comfortable though… Stella showcased some serious sexy dresses, featuring chiffon panels slinking around body con styles, bustiers, and bold, gold and black patterned mini dresses.

A combination of soft vs. structured seemed to define the show, with rippling organza tops being tucked into tailored, high-waisted pencil skirts or trousers. A striking colour palette, primarily comprised of white, black and blue was accentuated with circular detailing.

All in all, a refreshing show from McCartney.

Paris Fashion Week 2011 – Thierry Mugler

2011-03-04T09:28:00.000-08:00

Lady Gaga, the world’s biggest music star, made her catwalk debut last night as a supermodel on the Thierry Mulger catwalk. The outrageous songstress brought some much needed glamour and excitement to Paris Fashion week, which has been someone plagued by the allegations surrounding Paris’ most revered designer, John Galliano.

The Mulger brand has recently been revived by Gaga’s stylist, Nicola Formichetti, and promised a collection that would shake and shock Paris. The catwalk was designed to resemble a futuristic Gothic Cathedral, and Gaga made two spectacular appearances clad in white and pink latex corsetry, pencil skirts, smoking a cigarette and balancing on height defying platforms.

Delivering his first womenswear collection for Mulger, Formichetti delivered a sex-symbol silhouette with sprayed on stretch, PVC and rubber donning most of the collection. The colour palette was a mix of black, powder pink and cobalt and extreme shoulders and micro bustiers and skirts were the main shapes. An intriguing collection, that delivered a much needed injection of excitement into Paris.

Back to www.fiorelli.com

Bonjour! Controversy at Paris Fashion Week

2011-03-02T09:58:00.000-08:00

It’s been a rather controversial start to Paris Fashion Week with all the trouble surrounding John Galliano and Dior. Rumour has it that Dior have now severed all ties with the famed designer after claims emerged citing Galliano as racist. Despite a somewhat somber start to the week, designers are working extra hard to lift the tone and re-focus the attention on the clothes.

Turkish designer Hakaan Yildirim made sure that his AW11 collection on day 1 was remembered, with Natalia Vodianova, Mariacarlo Boscono and Freja Beha Erichsen all taking to his catwalk. Last year, at London Fashion Week, Yildirim won the ANDAM prize, which subsequently took him to Paris and is where he made his first appearance last season with his futuristic and body-conscious designs.

In his show today, we saw his collection take a more masculine turn, with the introduction of slouchy boyfriend blazers and wide-leg trousers. Sheer tops slinked underneath, adding a feminine touch and presenting a lovely contrast between the sleek black and leather looks.

Still a relatively new name on the scene, Yildirim is working hard to earn a much-deserved place in the fashion scene and, without doubt, he did that today. He made a huge impact thanks to a strict colour palette only strayed from cream, black and grey with different hues of red – including bright tomato splashes on dresses and jackets and pillar-box red lipstick on the models.

Return to http://www.fiorelli.com/

Oscars 2011

2011-03-01T04:59:00.000-08:00

Ok, so our Oscars blog is a bit late…Forgive us – it’s all been so manic in Milan that we just haven’t had the time to sit down and get everything updated. I know, you won’t have much sympathy for us, as we have been living the high life in the fashion capital, but it’s worth a try! So here it is, our Oscars fashion report from the Holy Grail of the red carpet. The Academy Awards frequently provide history-making fashion choices, so here are our best and worst dresses straight from that world famous red carpet!

There’s really no excuse for getting it wrong at the Oscars. The world’s most fabulous gowns, hot off the runways of New York, London and Milan fashion weeks were flown straight out to LA for our leading ladies to choose from. The best hair and make-up stylists were on stand-by, ready to preen and primp until that flawless look was achieved.

So, who got it right? And what were the trends from the night? It seemed to be a bit of a standoff between vibrant, classic colour and gentle, pastel shades. Leading the neutral palette trend was Gwyneth Paltrow. Smoldering down the red carpet in a custom-made sparkling gold Calvin Klein dress, Gwyneth looked positively stunning in the floor length number. With its interesting plunging neck and just the right amount of shimmer, Gwyneth looked radiant.

Our next favourite neutral pastel came from Mila Kunis. The Black Swan beauty looked stunning in a lavender Ellie Saab dress. Her petite frame and minimal makeup and accessories ensured that the detailed lace dress was the focus of attention, without being too ‘fussy’.

The main theme for the night was, without a doubt, fiery red dresses. Co-host Anne Hathaway wore a stunning archive Valentino gown, accessorizing with Tiffany jewellery and the man himself, Valentino. Last year’s big winner, Sandra Bullock, looked flawless in a Vera Wang dress and Jimmy Choo shoes – the perfect way to present Colin Firth with his Best Actor Award for The King’s Speech.

Colin wasn’t the only Firth making the headlines at the Oscars (despite reports that he left his Award in the toilets…!). His fashion-forward wife, Livia, was at the forefront of the media attention thanks to her monumental Green Carpet Challenge. In true style, Livia looked breathtaking in a dress created out of eleven dresses. Yes, eleven! Vintage/thrift/charity shop buys all from the era of The King’s Speech were recycled, repurposed and up cycled into one incredible creation. A big risk (especially when you’re husband is the centre of attention all night) Livia pulled it off in spectacular style.

What were your best and worst looks from the night?

D&G's star studded AW11 Collection - Milan Fashion Week 2011

2011-02-28T09:30:00.001-08:00

Yesterday we literally saw a star-studded collection from Dolce and Gabbana from Milan Fashion Week. An out there collection, the Italian design duo tapped into the current catwalk craze for gender-bending in an upbeat collection that perfectly married the duality of masculine and feminine dress. With models divided into two camps – ‘Tomboys and Temptresses’, there was a clear split in the collection. The Tomboys sported slick, tailored looks of blazers and brogues whereas the Temptresses were floating down the runway in sheer lace, pretty star prints and sequins. Crossover between the two came from mixing boyish brogues with floor length gowns and towering heels with sharp suits.

The collection offered a real treat for the eye, with stunning star prints gracing sweeping dresses and shirts, as well as tights and leggings in variety of colours adding a vibrant feel to the collection. Further strong prints came in the form of musical notes, hinting at a strong print focus following through from SS11.

An all black and white finale brought the two teams together, with one side in braces and trousers and the other with in strong underwear-as-outerwear themed items. Boy-meets-girl is nothing new for D&G. the pairing of masculine chic and provocative femininity has been a staple look for the label for over 20 years, they are simply successfully reworking it collection by collection.

Overall, it was an exciting collection from the Italian duo, with strong elements that are sure to be translated into the shops in months to come!

What do you think? Do you have stars in your eyes or do you think their musical prints were out of tune?

Versace AW11 - Milan Fashion Week 2011

2011-02-28T07:50:00.000-08:00

On Sunday, Donatella Versace presented a baroque/military-influenced AW11 collection. We can always rely on Versace to deliver drama and decadence and this collection did just that. Set in the sumptuous tented garden where her late brother Gianni always showed, a star-studded guest list took to their seats for some high-octane Versace style glamour.

The label’s signature Medusa swirls were enlarged and simplified into a statement, single curled vine that was all over the runway as well as the collection. It was a refreshing move on for the brand’s logo. Distinctive prints appeared on military style shift dresses of rich, decadent hues of purple and gold yellow.

Donatella said that the baroque aesthetic was the main inspiration behind the collection – “Baroque is a key element of the Versace history. And yet it is contemporary, and works for this moment in time. Baroque brings drama, but to make it modern I keep the line very clean, and used ‘pop’ colours” she said.

A punchy collection, aimed at pleasing their loyal customers, there was plenty of black (Donatella’s favourite) accented with flashes of intense colour. No expense was spared with luxurious fabrics, including python, feathers, felted cashmere, leather and suede creating floor length gowns and tailored double-breasted coats.

Despite it being the A/W collection, the dresses demanded some skin to be on show with daring one-shoulder and sleeveless dresses , however the look was more demure that previous collections, hinting at a more reserved direction for the brand.

The show was a collection of interesting shapes and bold hints of rich colours. As with all Versace collections, decadence was a key theme but was toned down somewhat by sleek styling. A refreshing collection from Versace!

Prada is perfectly innocent at Milan Fashion Week AW11

2011-02-25T03:01:00.001-08:00

Prada’s AW11 collection brought a sense of innocence to the strong, womanly sophistication that the norm from big name labels. The influence behind this collection, according to Miuccia Prada, was “not a girl dressed like a lady, but a lady rediscovering her innocence”. After SS11’s wild and brightly coloured collection it was a return to what Prada does best, taking clothes that we think we know best and rearranging them in a way that is slightly unsettling, yet perfectly refreshing.

Like Gucci, the look the collection steered away from the 1970’s and went back to the 1960’s, resembling the silhouette of an 1960’s air hostess, with drop waisted, big button, mid thigh coat dresses and knee high boots – signaling an innocent, ladylike style. Aviation was a strong theme, with goggle-like glasses, short gloves and aviation style hats adorning the models.

The colour palette was a mix of striking versus subdued, with plums, greys and dark teals being contrasted again phonebox red and canary yellow. Coloured fur trims and coats added a real sense of luxury to the collection, further enhancing the chic, stylish women that Prada aspires to dress.

The handbags were held tightly against the body by the models – clutched sideways, almost like children’s toys – and were featured in soft leathers, python skins and exotic skins.

Miuccia Prada, unlike most designers, says that she is happy when her designs are copied on the high street, as for her, fashion is about turning the ideas in her head into designs that will cover magazines, red carpets, offices and train carriages all over the world. The subtle sedate of this show is what Prada does best, and this superb show will be bought and copied worldwide. Despite starting over an hour late (“It takes a long time to make things charming” – Miuccia Prada) the show ignited a real sense of excitement and went down a storm.

What was your favourite look from the collection? Do you think the styles can be translated onto the high street come autumn?

Alberta Ferretti AW11 - Milan Fashion Week 2011

2011-02-24T03:42:00.000-08:00

The first thing you notice about Alberta Ferretti’s AW11 collection is that it’s not channeling that 70’s feel that we’ve seen so much of lately. Oh no, this collection goes down a complete different road: think sixties mod. Of late we have seen collections dominated by flowy and ethereal shapes, but here Ferretti has delivered something completely different. Think pronounced, strong, slim shapes from high-neck collars, quarter length sleeves, long printed coats, slim trousers and seriously bright pops of colour.

Prints have to be described as “groovy” (has it ever been acceptable to use that word when describing fashion?! Up until now, I would have to say no, but Ferretti is changing that…) and take us back to a time of Twiggy and retro boots.

As the show progressed it became apparent that AW11 will be all about the details. From crystal embellishment to delicate ruffles, strong femininity reigned supreme!

Gucci AW11 Collection - Milan Fashion Week 2011

2011-02-24T03:39:00.000-08:00

Well, Ciao Colour! Gucci certainly set the tone for Milan Fashion Week with a collection full of eye-popping colour! Frida Giannini delivered a collection that was full of luxury and a visual delight. A clear theme of the collection was luxurious 70’s, with lady-like silhouettes created by skirtsuits, wide-leg trousers, tie-neck blouses and halterneck dresses. All immensely wearable, we are sure to see more than a few imitations hit the high street.

The colour pallette can only be described as eclectic. Rich, intense hues of teal, emerald green, sapphire blue and ruby red were used to liven up furs, suedes and snakeskins. The combinations of colours exuded sheer indulgence, with deep blues contrasted against olive greens, and royal purple next to vibrant teal. It’s a brave move to have such an eye-popping colour palette in a season that calls for so much black and grey, but then we have to think about the Gucci woman. She’s not the type of woman to shy away from colour and blend into the crowd. Oh no, she’s all about letting the world know that she’s got style and loves luxury, and that she’s not afraid to flaunt it.

It was a great start to the week, Giannini effortlessly captured that Italian exuberance and it was a refreshing move on from the post-war, heritage feel we saw in London.

What are your views on the collection? Is it eye-popping for all the right or wrong reasons?

Ciao Milan!

2011-02-23T10:02:00.000-08:00

Following on from New York and London fashion weeks, fashions biggest names take their new Autumn/Winter11 collections to the runways of Milan. Often hailed as fashion’s capital city, I’m off to Milan to check out the latest installments from the fashion world!

Be sure to read my reviews and let me know what you think of the collections! Ciao!

Fiorelli on Gok!

2011-02-23T08:41:00.000-08:00

Love him or hate him, there’s no denying Gok Wan knows a thing or two about fashion! He’s become something of a household name in the last few years, thanks to his fashion based TV shows. Although at times he can be slightly irritating, what I love about him is his ability to restore women’s confidence in themselves. I have to admit that I frequently get goosebumps/a little tear in my eye when he reveals a new makeover for a woman who previously had zero self-esteem. It’s heart-warming stuff.

Last night Gok and his TV show, Gok’s Clothes Roadshow, headed to Birmingham to help three slummy mummy’s become yummy mummy’s once again. In the high street vs. designer battle at the end of the show Gok chose our best selling Loretta fan clutch from the Fiorelli Black collection as part of his ‘ultimate boho 70’s high street look’. Check out the clip below to see how great it looks on the catwalk!

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/goks-clothes-roadshow/4od#3163776

This fan shape is our favourite shape of the collection, and we have it in a number of on trend colours and fabrics. As Gok highlighted, the Loretta in black is perfect for the 70’s trend, thanks to its subtle weave detailing. In the Astor range, we have luxurious leopards and lizards, which are perfect for the exotic skins trend that is everywhere at the moment.

What do you think of Gok? Do you think he’s a fashion guru or just a bit irritating?!

Burberry takes over Piccadilly Circus – LFW 2011

2011-02-22T07:39:00.000-08:00

Monday afternoon saw us venturing away from the catwalks and trundling down to Piccadilly Circus for Burberry’s live streaming of their AW11 collection. We were pretty excited about the prospect of being able to watch their show in the hustle and bustle of Piccadilly, what a great way to get everyone involved with their show!

The crowd and screen at Piccadilly

The live stream

We arrived early, and to our amazement saw a good crowd already positioned around the steps of the Eros Memorial Fountain, is this the new front row for the masses?! There was a real buzz, which was heightened by a live countdown timer on the illuminated screens, as groups of fashion students and office workers gathered to watch the first ever live screening of a catwalk on the billboard screens. Confused tourists still posed for photos and, having realized what was going on, couldn’t believe their luck to have stumbled upon such an experience! Before we knew it, our little crowd was being snapped at, sure to be shown to families back in their native countries.

Soon the crowd was up to 300-strong and the anticipation for the start of the show was high! To our disappointment, a technical glitch meant that the countdown timer jumped from 41 seconds back up to 4 minutes, but the patient crowd didn’t seem to mind too much. Showing scenes of celebrities arriving everyone was monitoring who was there and what they were wearing. Alexa Chung looked effortlessly cool (as always..) in an oversized jumper, leggings and a bright turquoise saddle bag. Ellie Goulding got her bling on with a stunning Burberry gold-studded Mac. The perfect choice!

When the streaming finally started the reaction was similar to that of a regular catwalk. People were taking images on their phones and chatting about what they loved and loathed. Unfortunately, like the weather conditions, the live stream kept freezing, which was slightly irritating to say the least as it meant that a few outfits were missed. However, from what we did see of the collection there was certainly nothing disappointing. Once again, we see a British Heritage with a twist theme shine through thanks to a cow print flat cap teamed with a vibrant orange structured coat.

Structured shapes and rich autumnal colours of red, orange, pea green and duck egg blue dominated the collection and were given a feminine twist with clever waist belts and extreme wedge shoes. The inclusion of fur gave the collection a luxurious feel and tweed skirts further pushed a sense of British countryside glamour.

So, I guess there are two aspects of the Burberry show to review…the clothes and the live screening. The collection itself was brilliant, everything I expected from the British brand. The live screening, however, was fairly disappointing. The lack of music was a real problem, especially when tweets from the show were saying how great the music was - a soundtrack of cars beeping and droning bus engines doesn’t really do much for the collection! By the end of the show the initial buzzing atmosphere was definitely lost, probably due to the live feed constantly freezing, and the sub-zero weather conditions. So, it looks like Burberry will have to work a bit harder if they want to pull off a live screening next year – I think I will let someone else go to the live screening and I will stay warm and cozy at the live show!

Were you at the live screening in Piccadilly? What did you think about it? Would you go again next year?

DAVID KOMA LFW AW11

2011-02-22T05:54:00.000-08:00

Having designed for the likes of Lady Gaga, Cheryl Cole, Rihanna and Beyonce, there was a lot resting on David Koma’s collection this year at London Fashion Week. Strongly tipped as the next big thing, the BFC tent at Somerset House was bursting at the seams bright and early this morning for his show – confirming that this show is indeed the hot ticket of the week.

Inspired by dark forests, Tim Burton and hallucinations, Koma’s collection did not disappoint. Dots were the name of the game, with laser cut and printed dot patterns adorning Koma’s signature thick material body con dresses. Adding a new dimension Koma’s collection featured tight leather panelling and the most memorable theme of any collection seen so far this week: giant fur pom poms. Yes, pom poms. As if pom poms alone weren’t outrageous enough, Koma really drew gasps as he revealed pom poms in bright, primary colours. It was a refreshing break from the abundance of earthy, dark colours we have seen so far in the AW collections. Adding another dimension to the collection was a selection of dresses and skirts with a printed face embedded in a burst of colour. We were lucky enough to meet Koma after the show and he informed us that the face was actually that of an Italian nun – how this fits in with the themes of the collection we’re not sure but hey, it works! A final special touch for the collection came from fur adornments either gently positioned around the cuffs, or carefully placed in asymmetrical lines across the body.

This collection was a real step up from the clean-lined, sleek silhouetted black dresses we have previously seen from Koma. It was a step out of the ordinary and although leaving the audience divided, Koma has once again highlighted impeccable sculptured tailoring and we can safely say that we are truly inspired by the bravery of such a new designer!

VIVIENNE WESTWOOD LFW AW11

2011-02-21T06:11:00.000-08:00

Sunday afternoon saw a somewhat bleary-eyed fashion crowd pull their act together and head to the Royal Courts of Justice for Vivienne Westwood’s Red Label AW11 collection preview. The location was perfect for Westwood – beautiful, conservative and grand, providing the perfect backdrop for her rebellious designs.

Part of Westwood’s appeal is her ability to consistently break the rules and always get it so perfectly right. A true talent! Openly admitting that she doesn’t read fashion magazines or follow trends she has this magical ability to create ingenious designs, that as well as being perfectly on trend, always have a deeper underlying message, aimed at educating the fashion world.

This season saw a London inspired collections, in particular ‘the Londoner life’. With plenty of tartan and wool and asymmetric pieces there was a very British, punky feel. Looks were layered to perfection and teamed with huge, messy hair and crazy, smudged, almost clown-like make up. Taking additional inspiration from Lewis Carroll’s ‘Alice in Wonderland’ there was a real sense of the surreal and eclecticism thanks to Westwood’s use of velvet, cotton and wool.

Key trends to come out of the collection were heritage (a huge trend for AW11 it seems), statement outerwear and clashing prints. Colours were splashed throughout the collection but red definitely stole the show.

Once again, the fashion icon has delivered a unique and coveted collection for AW11.

MULBERRY AW2011 LFW

2011-02-20T06:24:00.000-08:00

Mulberry had a lot to prove this season at LFW. Perhaps one of the most quintessential British brands, all eyes were on the fashion house to, once again, deliver something spectacular. And wow! That’s just what they did. Taking over the ballroom of Claridges Hotel (what a perfect choice of location) they transformed it into a woodland wonderland with a smothering of pretty moss foliage, birds on branches, furry animals and subtle overhead tweeting, to provide the perfect backdrop for their AW11 collection.

The phrase ‘if you go down to the woods today you’re sure of a nice surprise’ was ringing through our minds as we sat there waiting for a show that promised “quintessential English countryside mixed with grown up glamour, with the signature Mulberry quirk sprinkled amidst a friendly forest of woodland creatures”.

Full of fantastical creatures, the scene was perfectly set with a reading from Roald Dahl’s ‘Fantastic Mr Fox’. Mulberry’s creative director Emma Hill was overheard saying, “I wanted this to be an uber English collection. I was inspired by hedgerows and traditional English pursuits – hunting, shooting and fishing”. As soon as the models appeared her inspiration was clear for all to see – grey fishing trousers and outdoors shooting jackets and coats were given the Mulberry ‘sprinkling’ with hardware borrowed from this season’s must have Tillie bag.

Knitwear was a case of super size and super cosy, again drawing a perfect reference to English country attire. Breaking the trend, dresses were designed for maximum impact, with strong structured shapes and soft ethereal maxis full of delectable details. All effortlessly contemporary, they were accessorised with boxy coats and chunky belted knits.

Unlike many shows already seen, Mulberry broke the mould with their colour palette, steering away from a dominance of reds, oranges and teals. Instead they opted for soft khakis, greys, blacks and, perhaps most refreshingly, lavenders and plums.

Next we saw Mulberry introduce their AW11 bags. Just what we’d been waiting for! Here we saw the Bayswater updated with poacher style straps and studs to form the Bayswater Satchel. Alexa has been updated with fox locks (Fantastic Mr Fox indeed!) and Tillie has been given a fantastic quilted update. Two new families, Taylor and Carter see the Mulberry range grow exquisitely with two more sophisticated, easy shapes that are sure to be on the arms of anyone who’s anyone before you can say Fantastic Mr Fox.

We can’t really choose our favourite aspect of this show – it had high expectations to meet, and it certainly didn’t disappoint! Suffice to say, our favourite show so far!

Pictures from Vogue.co.uk

London’s Calling! LFW A/W11 is here!

2011-02-18T07:51:00.000-08:00

With New York Fashion Week coming to a close yesterday, it’s time for the world’s fashion to turn to London and our exceptional UK designers for the next phase of trends for AW11. The action kicked off this morning at 9am in the beautiful, iconic Somerset House, home of the British Fashion Council, with Paul Costelloe.

So who are we looking out for? Heritage brands are always top of our list, and here in the UK we have some of the biggest and the best. We’ll be paying particular attention to Burberry (as will half of London seeing as they are showing it on the screens of Piccadilly Circus – genius!) and Mulberry, to see what classics they will be presenting, and what the next big It bags will be!

Also catching our eye will be the new, fresh designers showcasing at LFW, such as House of Holland and Louise Gray. We can’t get enough of Gray’s fresh colours-of-the-rainbow pallete and sun bleached prints. Uplifting and fun, they are a breath of air and we can’t wait to see how she will translate these into an A/W look.

Not forgetting the international talent that will be gracing London town, we are highly anticipating the collections from Alexander Wang and the delectable Tom Ford

We’ll be there all week, attending all the shows and rubbing shoulders with the fashion elite, so be sure to check in regularly at Fiorelli’s Style Notes for all the latest updates from LFW!

Pure Exhibition 2011

2011-02-18T01:28:00.000-08:00

There’s a real buzz of excitement in Fiorelli HQ at the moment as our new AW11 range has been finalized! Surrounded by hundreds of samples, the design team has meticulously gone through the collection and has created one of our strongest ranges to date! Focusing on the theme ‘Your Space’ the collection showcases a range of expertly designed bags that focus on the essential qualities needed to allocate organized space into your accessories. The designs show functional beauty teamed with strong identities and bold looks. A colour palette of rich, earthly hues combines the warmth of oxblood and tan with the depth of rich, luxurious navy, whilst colour blocking of neutral shades adds a softer tone to the collection.

Pure Exhibition, which came to a close on Tuesday, is the first of the big UK trade fairs and is always a great indication of how successful our new collections are going to be. Naturally, preparing for Pure is a nerve-wracking time as we make sure that every sample is perfect and that all our new promotional material is sorted so that our trade customers get the best possible introduction to the range. Luckily, we received glowing reviews for the range, and everyone was really excited about the direction our brand is heading in. Have a sneak peak at our new AW11 collection in these photos of our great stand at Pure!

Victoria's clever pregnancy promotion!

2011-02-17T01:22:00.000-08:00

With a number of high profile celebrity pregnancies occupying our gossip columns at the moment it’s hard to keep track of all the latest baby news! However, one pregnancy that is always going to be at the top of our list is a certain Mrs Beckham pregnancy. With rumours flying around that it’s going to be a girl (wouldn’t that be great – a mini Mrs Beckham would certainly give Suri Cruise a run for her money in the style stakes!) everyone is hanging onto to every word that comes out of camp Beckham!

In what is undoubtedly one of the most fashionable pregnancies, all eyes are firmly on bump watch and, never one to miss a trick, canny designer Victoria Beckham is using it as the perfect opportunity to showcase her new handbag collection! Although her bump is still small, she has perfected the art of strategically holding her latest accessories at her waist, ensuring that all photos and eyes are focused on her new product!

Not that we need much encouragement to look at her gorgeous accessory collection! Going down a storm at NYFW this week, the bags are the perfect combination of vintage elegance and modern minimalism. Understated yet perfectly chic, these bags are sure to become the ‘It Bags’ of the season. Here at Fiorelli HQ we are excited to see some of the VB look come through in our Autumn/Winter11 collection. Check out Fiorelli’s Style Notes tomorrow to see a sneak preview of the AW11 range at Pure Exhibition!

Behind the scenes of a Fiorelli photo shoot…

2011-02-16T01:56:00.000-08:00

It’s almost time for our amazing high summer collection to launch online and in stores, and in anticipation of its arrival we thought we would whet your appetite with some exclusive behind the scenes footage of our SS11 campaign shoot! Way back in September (doesn’t that feel like a million years ago?!) we packed up our favourite samples of the collection, and along with a team of hair stylists, makeup artists, stylists and of course our amazing photographer Theo Cohen we headed to a garden in Earls Court, London. A little dubious about this “amazing garden” in the middle of Earls Court we arrived and with some trepidation unpacked all our props from the van and went to set up. How wrong we were about the set! There was only one word to describe it – WOW! I couldn’t believe that this amazing house and garden was really situated in the heart of London. It just didn’t make sense! With a huge swimming pool (which, thank goodness, was heated) and a gorgeous traditional hammock it was the perfect scene to show off our High Summer collection.

The inspiration for the shoot was a combination of 70’s icons, block colour, underwater and poolside glamour. With the collection featuring some gorgeous bright hues, from turquoise to orange, it was all about creating a truly glamorous summery feeling. Having put a lot of time and effort into researching the exact look we wanted to achieve it was all hands on deck to ensure that we pulled it off. Everything had to be perfect! With hair and makeup done, and our lovely model looking stunning (we weren’t jealous at all…) it was time to start playing around with positions and poses that showed off our Fiorelli bags to their full potential.

Much to her dismay our poor model pulled off some incredible poses in and around the pool, despite the temperature plummeting! Our job was to try and keep her warm enough so that her goose-bumps didn’t show up on camera! The price we pay for fashion…

After a long day and numerous bets on who would be the first one to fall in the pool, we eventually wrapped up, both in terms of the shoot and ourselves! Rushing home to get a good night’s sleep was essential, so that all fresh faced in the morning we could start to go through all the shots and choose the strongest ones. After a big debate in Fiorelli HQ (we really struggled to come to a unanimous decision!) we chose the following six images. Enjoy your sneak peak of the new collection! We’d love to know your thoughts, which is your favourite shot?

Gaga's Back

2011-02-15T02:28:00.000-08:00

So…Gaga’s back. Back in a BIG way. Today is meant to be one of the biggest days in the pop calendar this year. Today is the day the world gets to hear Lady Gaga’s brand new song ‘Born This Way’. Taken from her new album of the same name, ‘Born This Way’ sees Gaga take a much-needed break from the mechanical, almost robotic feel of her ‘Fame Monster’ hits. Never one to shy away from her love for Madonna, Gaga has clearly been influenced by the original Queen of Pop in this record and as a result we end up with a super catchy song that is sure to have us all hooked in no time at all.

‘Born This Way’ also sees a radical change in Gaga’s look. Famed for her crazy, eccentric style (think Raw meat dress…) this new single sees a more glamourous, ladylike look for Gaga. The single artwork, shot in black and white by legendary photographer Nick Knight, sees a naked Gaga peering over her shoulder, accessorized with nothing but perfectly styled, high volume hair and severe cats eye liner. Striking? Hell yes! According to sources on the set, Gaga wanted to move away from ‘freaky’ and focus on high-octane glamour. Don’t be fooled though – there is still an element of the freaky Gaga with subtle bones appearing to protrude from her forehead, cheeks and shoulders. We’re not sure how this fits in with ‘high-octane glamour’, but who cares? It’s Lady Gaga! It wouldn’t make sense if everything made sense!
A great start to the weekend, I’m already looking forward to shamelessly dancing away to ‘Born This Way’ in weeks to come; there has been a Gaga shaped hole in our lives of late and I can’t think of a better way to fill the gap than with ‘Born This Way’.

What do you think? Are you embracing Gaga’s new musical direction? Or are you longing for her robotic, mechanical Fame Monster madness? Are you a fan of the all-American glamour look or are you craving the eccentricity of meat dress, police tape Gaga?

Return of the Mac

2011-02-15T02:23:00.000-08:00

The Macintosh is back with a vengeance this season! Last week saw the opening of the first ever Macintosh store in London’s exclusive Mayfair, nearly 200 years after the classic British Mac was invented by Charles Macintosh in 1823. Loved by everyone from 1950’s style icons, to the Queen, to Harry Potter’s Emma Watson, the Mac is a firm favourite in our wardrobes. Effortlessly combining style and practicality, it is a staple piece that every style conscious girl should have in their wardrobe.

Team an elegant mac with some of our classic shapes for the ultimate in stylish chic. The Dorchester shoulder bag in Chocolate croc, or the Hayworth grab in camel are the perfect way to accessorise this staple item this season. Bring on the rain, we say!

1920's makes a serious comeback!

2011-02-14T03:49:00.000-08:00

The fashion of the 1920’s is set to make a big comeback this season. 1920’s fashion was an opportunity for women to express their individuality, and new American period drama ‘Boardwalk Empire’ is set to do for the 20’s what ‘Mad Men’ did for the 50’s, inspiring modern day fashion to turn back the hands of time. Costume designer for ‘Boardwalk Empire’ John Dunn explains that the 1920’s is a recurring fashion trend due to its reflection of the changing status of women and the simple elegance of the era.

Melissa Whitworth, The Daily Telegraph, predicts that the 20’s are going to make a huge impact on our wardrobes, bringing strong colours, simple silhouettes and stunning embellishment to our style.

Team 1920’s chic with block colours, romantic neutrals and minimalistic shapes and your style will be big news this spring. Perfect for channelling this trend is our stunning Thelma clutch bag from our brand new S/S11 range. Featuring a statement vintage-inspired fitting and coming in a lace finish Thelma is as glamorous as they come. Embrace the 1920’s micro trend!

Welcome to Fiorelli's Style Notes

2011-02-13T03:43:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Fiorelli’s Style Notes, our brand new blog. We thought it was high time that we had a place where we can share everything that inspires us, and bring you the latest news from the world of Fiorelli.

Updated regularly with snippets of inspiration, behind the scenes footage and general style news and gossip Fiorelli’s Style Notes is your first stop for all the latest updates from Fiorelli!