Fiorelli's Sparkling Style Inspiration

By now you’re probably already aware that this year we’re celebrating our 25th anniversary here at Fiorelli, and we couldn't think of any better way to celebrate than by adding some beautiful new sterling silver jewellery into our collection! 

Yes, we create fabulous handbags and purses for all occasions but we also love a good piece of outfit making jewellery too, and have many jewellery style icons. Well, who hasn't secretly long coveted a jewellery collection that resembles that of the late Elizabeth Taylor?! 

Elizabeth was an international style icon who became almost as famous for her exquisite taste in fine jewellery (particularly Bulgari) as she did for her work as an actress. 

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One of her favourites was her antique chandelier earrings which she wore several times over the decades. They were originally made from paste glass gems when she discovered them in a Paris boutique but she later had them transformed with real diamonds... Every girl's dream!  

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Her private jewellery collection raised 74 million dollars in one night at auction, which set a new world record!  Her stunning ruby and diamond Cartier necklace was estimated to bring no more than $300,000 but was actually snapped up for $3,778, 500!

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One of our favourite ever pieces once belonging to Elizabeth has to be her 69.42 carat pear-shaped diamond initially worth around $1,000,000. Originally, it was a ring but Elizabeth decided that it was too big and had it transformed into a necklace, which is proof that frosting doesn't always have to be loud as to make an impact. That's something that we agree upon, and so, we've tried to inject our new sterling silver collection with a simplistic wow factor. 

Earrings, Necklace

Let us introduce you to some of our favourite pieces from our new range, the striking sterling silver crystal drop pendant and drop earrings, which are just the perfect amount of sparkle as to complement your outfits. 

Head over to Fiorelli.com to view more of our silver collection, and why not even show us how your incorporating the Fiorelli silver jewellery into your outfits? Simply share your sparkling style snaps with @Fiorelli_Bags on Twitter and Instagram. 

Hollywood Glamour: How To Get the Red Carpet Look with Fiorelli

From star studded schedules to designer dresses, the lives of feature film actresses are rather enviable - a quick peek at red carpet events can turn even the most content woman into a green eyed monster.

Although Oscar season isn’t due until February, with Christmas looming, the time for glamorous outfits is fast approaching as many prepare for parties, balls and other seasonal events. What better time then, to make like the glitterati and replicate Hollywood glamour style? Be it British actress, Carey Mulligan or SATC fashion icon, Sarah Jessica Parker, read the Fiorelli guide to achieving the red carpet look:

Sarah Jessica Parker

SJP: Image Source       Bracelets: Image Source

Sarah Jessica Parker is not exactly a wallflower, her extravagant style is often just as present off screen as it is on. In her role as Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City, we see Bradshaw covet the most excessive outfits (anybody remember that Vivienne Westwood wedding dress with the aquamarine feather boa hair piece?) and in real life, the actress is also in favour of statement attire. 

Take this shimmery lime green structured dress for example - the dress is bold, but SJP keeps it chic with jewelled bangles and understated heels. Achieve Sarah Jessica Parker style with a neon shift dress and classic jewellery, these Fiorelli metallic beaded bracelets will add embellishment to your outfit without over-exaggerating the look.

Carey Mulligan

Carey: Image Source       Juliet Clutch  Image Source

Carey Mulligan is the queen of cool, over the years Mulligan has transformed her look many times and conquered every single one with grace and style; from a blonde pixie cut paired with masculine tailoring which made her look like Edie Sedgwick’s doppelganger to a brunette bob with a blunt fringe which she styled with quirky tea dresses and T-bar flats.

In this red carpet look, we see Mulligan transformed once more, this time opting for a demure Alexander McQueen halter neck dress with an embellished collar and cut out sides. One thing we've noticed with the stars is they never seem to need to carry trusty arm candy to store that lippie or mobile phone, these items are most likely left in the hands of a dutiful PA. For the rest of us, it’s highly unlikely that your regular Snow Ball will come with the option of clutch bag concierge, so you may want to invest!

Planning on replicating Carey Mulligan’s style? The Fiorelli Juliet clutch bag is the ideal accessory to complement this particular look and is roomy enough to store all those last minute essentials - eat your heart out Carey.

Gwyneth Paltrow

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Day to day, Gwyneth Paltrow opts for casual cool clothing, it’s not uncommon to see the mother of two snapped around the streets of London in a comfy pair of jeans, masculine blazer and knee high boots. However, when it comes to red carpet events, Paltrow evolves into the kind of head turning goddess who would give Elle Macpherson a run for her money. Pictured here at CFDA awards, Paltrow stuns in a sequinned one shoulder dress with a cut out side. Paltrow needs no jewellery here but does carry an enveloped clutch. Channel Paltrow prowess with a sequinned floor length dress and the Fiorelli textured Pixie clutch bag.

What do you think of these glamorous looks? Share your red carpet style icons with us on Twitter at @Fiorelli_Bags.

#FiorelliExclusive: FabTips' Editor Laura Styles the Perla Bag

See what FabTips' editor, Laura Ward-Ongley's style journey with our #FiorelliExclusive Perla bag looks like in her guest post for Style Notes...

When I'm not editing the UK's number 1 luxury beauty blogzine fabtips.co.uk - I'm consulting... and consulting means commuting from Wiltshire to London with dreadfully early starts.

A first class commute is the only way to commute

My Fiorelli Perla comes with me on the train those mornings, stuffed full of everything bar a laptop - skincare, makeup, three phones (I like to stay connected), hair products, iPad, heels, my notes etc... One of the things I love most about it is its deceptive scale. 

Special mention going out to awesome NYC hair styling brand YAROK... feed your do styling whip and feed your dohair spray are best in class

On my average day I arrive into Waterloo, then stroll across the embankment suspension bridge to get into soho 

I opt for this over tube or taxi as an exhilarating start to the day:  Choppers swoop overhead spiriting captains of industry to their 9am's, the London eye creaks slowly round to my left already full of keen sight-seers and to my right the city majestically begins to pierce the skyline.  When the sun shines on London it's the best city in the world.

This is actually the view from one of my Client's offices... not bad

Once in-situ at my 'office' (soho house) instead of reaching for the green juice I get straight on the eggs benedict - I am entirely addicted and have recently discovered eggs Benedict with bearnaise sauce... just have to factor in an additional hour at the gym each week!

...that said if one is up at an ungodly 6am, the old bod needs effective fuel so I don't feel too guilty. I wolf it down and get to work on my iPad.

 using my bluetooth keyboard (get one- they're amazing!) to turn it into proper working kit.  I cart around waaaay too much other paraphernalia in my Fiorelli Perla  to consider giving up precious space for a laptop!

Chrome bluetooth iPad keyboard £69.99 PC World - I won't travel without it

From there on in it's a steady stream of clients and earl grey - everyone from entrepreneurs who need some marketing advice on their incredible new venture to luxury brands who want a tres chic social media strategy through to national newspapers who want to become more entrepreneurial.  You name it, I've worked with them (and learnt from them - my clients are fabulous and very smart).  My Fiorelli Perla sits next to me looking v professional throughout... well someone has to!

Some bold sartorial styling there with the snow leopard print!

If i've a gap between meetings then i'll FabTip - editing features, keeping eye on our social feeds and briefing the team on our next big venture (FabVision in 2014 - you're going to love it!).

FabVision in the edit - shot on location in Chelsea

The last meeting of the day inevitably runs over meaning  a dash with my Fiorelli Perla to get the 16.50 from Waterloo back to Wiltshire - where this little creature is waiting to give me a warm welcome...

Terry Edward Louis Ward-Ongley.  The most handsome boy I know.

 Makeup off.  Walk Terry.  Hit gym. PJs on.  FabTips editing.  Bed.  Start again.

You can find FabTips here and Find Laura Ward-Ongley’s marketing and social media consultancy here. 

Handbag History: Facts you Never Knew About your Most Prized Possession

Pochettes, pockets and man bags; the history of handbags is both intriguing and entertaining. Fiorelli share a selection of the best handbag facts.

Fiorelli Isabel Bag

They’re a woman’s best friend and we can never own enough, but when it comes to handbag trivia, most of us don’t know the first thing about the origins of our beloved arm candy. As long time lovers of the world’s most covetable accessory, we’ve decided to delve into the history of handbags to dish up interesting facts you probably never knew about your most prized possession.

Men used to adore arm candy, too

Nowadays it’s hard to picture your typical guy in the accessories section of a department store agonising over whether to buy the smoke or tan coloured bag, but back in Ancient Egyptian times, men were totally besotted. 

Ancient scriptures reference Egyptian men wearing purse pouches as bracelets and African priests were well-known for carrying beaded bags. Definitely one to remember for the next time your partner wails about your so-called shopping habits, touché.

Until the 18^th Century, women made do with ‘pockets’

A quick peek at various ‘what’s in my bag’ blog posts reveal just how many things us ladies like to lug around in our faithful handbags, however before the 18^th century many women were content with carrying their worldly possessions around in skirt or dress pockets. 

However, these were not pockets as we know them today, instead pockets were coin purses which you could attach to your girdle. That’s one trend we don’t see making a comeback anytime soon.

“Francois, would you be a dear and pass me my Pochette?”

Today we know them by the name of clutch bags, but until the early 1900’s, these devilishly good looking bags were known as pochettes. The name was derived from the French for ‘little pocket’ and referenced the often envelope shaped appearance of clutch bags. The former name definitely has a certain ring to it!

Of course, being Fiorelli, we couldn’t give you a history lesson without offering a smattering of style inspiration, here’s how we style the classic pochette:

Cropped Trousers: The Whitepepper, Clutch Bag: Fiorelli, Lipstick: Marc Jacobs

Heard an interesting handbag fact and dying to share it? Let us know on Twitter at @Fiorelli_Bags!

How To: Pack Light for a Winter City Break

When heading off on a city break, we all know that ‘traveling chic’ also means traveling light. With the best intentions of finding the most gorgeous hotel in the perfect location, many of us fall at the final hurdle of city-breaking - packing. When visiting another city - even for only 3 or 4 days - this can quickly initiate panicked thoughts of unlikely situations for which you may need a whole host of clothes and cosmetics that even your most sturdy of holdalls won’t be able to contain. What’s a girl to do? 

Fear not, because Team Fiorelli have got packing light down to a T - often visiting other locations for inspiration, or, just to see the sights, we are a group of worldly travellers who know a thing or two about packing just the right amount - and sometimes a little more...

The number one rule of city break packing is that planning is everything. If you have even a general an idea of the kind of activities you will be doing, it’s easy to have some foresight into your weekend wardrobe. For example, if you’re sight-seeing and taking walking tours, flat shoes are a must, and good news - sneakers are in for AW13! Flat shoes are easy enough to squeeze into a holdall or smaller suitcase, and we love these leopard-print slip-on sneakers by Carvela as the perfect way to brighten up your new-season style and work the animal print trend too.

Fiorelli's Tip: Wear your sneakers on your journey for a comfortable and casual look to travel in.

Carvela Sneakers

Planning each outfit is not just a space saver, but a time saver too. If you are able to create a capsule wardrobe for your trip, no longer will you find yourself in front of your hotel mirror changing looks long after you had planned on stepping out for your city adventure. Blue jeans are forever a style staple that go with almost anything - pack a small selection of tops to wear them with and you’ll give yourself back not only some of your baggage allowance, but also some of your time to explore. Pair your jeans with an essential grey jumper, or pare it down with a casual checked shirt.

Fiorelli's Tip: Roll your clothes rather than folding them flat when packing to create a surprising amount of extra suitcase space!

Whistles Knit, Topshop Jeans, Uniqlo Shirt

Toiletries always pose the trickiest aspect of packing light. Of course, the key is to keep things minimal and so we suggest holding back on the make-up on your weekend away. Invest in a good tinted moisturiser that doubles up as both a soothing cream and a light foundation - find one with an SPF included for an added bonus. Armed with a black khol eye pencil which takes up next to no space, transform your look from day to night with a smokey eye. Pack your beauty essentials in our bold green Juliet clutch to keep them together in transit, and then finish your look by toting this gorgeous bag out in the evening to save the need to pack extra accessories.

Fiorelli's Tip: Tried and tested, decant your larger toiletries (e.g. shampoo, conditioner) into smaller bottles to save on both room and weight with your luggage.

Fiorelli Juliet Clutch

Do you have any tips on how to pack hand luggage? Share your tips with us on Twitter and Instagram and tag your photos with @Fiorelli_Bags using the hashtag #FiorelliStyle. 

How To Style your Statement Necklace for A/W 13

The ultimate way to wear your knit this Autumn / Winter is big and chunky, whilst accessorising with some amazing statement jewellery. We've seen the trend being sported by some of our favourite fashion bloggers, celebrities, and of course, upon the runways during Fashion Week. Model Jourdan Dunn shows exactly how to work the trend upon Burberry Prorsum's catwalk below. 

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So, if this trend has got your name written all over it, let us provide you with some outfit inspiration featuring our gorgeous new jewellery collection. 

Laid Back Sparkle

The secret to making your chunky winter jumpers look more stylish than frumpy is by layering up. Pop a casual denim shirt underneath a nice comfy knit to give the effect of a contrasting collar, and inject a splash of sparkle with a statement necklace like our chain bib necklace. The kind of necklace that you'd only wear with an LBD, right? Well, not no more! 

Images: Jumper, Denim Shirt, Necklace

Smart-Casual

Create this look by opting for a crisp white collared shirt underneath a chunky cable knit jumper, and complete the outfit with a stylish gold and crystal necklace. It's the smart way to do a relaxed look, whilst oozing an air of feminine elegance. The obvious would be to hit the cocktail bar with this dressy statement necklace but this outfit proves that it's equally as workable within a daytime look. 

Images: Shirt, Jumper, Necklace

Rebel-Chic

Punks are hot again this A/W 13, so, why not try the trend out in a less of a permanent dye your hair a crazy colour kind of way (unless that's your thing, of course!), and opt for a spiky gold and crystal statement necklace  instead. Team with a crisp white shirt and mesh black jumper for sleek and cool daytime look.

Jumper, Shirt, Necklace 

We hope that you're feeling inspired by our outfits, and we'd love to see how your styling your statement necklaces for the new season, so, tag your bold #FiorelliStyle photos with @Fiorelli_Bags on Twitter and Instagram. 

#FiorelliExclusive: Annie Bean Styles the Vivi Bag

Give your monochrome look an update with our web exclusive Vivi grab bag, the latest addition to our leather collection. We teamed up with ever stylish Annie Bean, who toted this #FiorelliExclusive look during London Fashion Week and London Fashion Weekend, as well as any occasion she gets the chance to since! From traveling to and from work to weekends with friends, Annie proves that the Vivi bag is truly a worthy partner, saying “Vivi is a classic bag, but because of the burgundy teamed with the monochrome, it makes it stylish yet fun and the ideal arm companion for AW13!”

London Fashion Week

Though the weather may have held up for the fashionistas on and off the catwalk at LFW, Annie decided to ‘embrace the monochrome trend with a winter coat’. Finishing the look with velvet leggings and strappy sandals, Annie plays with textures and trans-seasonal pieces to add a modern update to this chic trend with Vivi’s splash of burgundy serving to break up the colour palette!

London Fashion Weekend

Taking a more relaxed approach, Annie pares down her monochrome look for London Fashion Weekend as an opportunity for a fun day out with friends - and shopping! For this look, Annie says “I love to throw on my leather biker jacket to make any outfit casual and young”. Paired with some floral print trousers, this outfit is bold without being bright, and classic without being boring. 

AW13 and Onwards

So what is in store for Annie and Vivi for the coming season? “Vivi will be joining me to work mainly, and will also accompany me on most other outings” - Annie shows that this gorgeous grab bag is a heavy-duty handbag that really will go anywhere, and with anything. With enough space to fit all of Annie’s workday essentials - iPad, diary, lunch, purse, keys, make up and more! - Vivi seriously is a girl’s best friend. 

Annie’s final verdict? “I absolutely cannot fault this bag at all. Smooth leather in AW13 colours, it is the perfect partner in crime for absolutely any occasion.”

Now available from today in a chic nude mix, be the first to grab your Vivi bag in it’s newest colour, and beat the fash pack to this season’s must-have accessory. The only question is, how will you wear yours? 

View Annie Bean's full blog here, and show us your #FiorelliStyle for AW13 on Twitter and Instagram at @Fiorelli_Bags for the chance to sit pretty in our style gallery!