Nicole Richie and her Fancy Bags

Lionel Richie’s daughter has come a long way since the days of eating disorder rumours and crappy TV show The Simple Life with frenemy Paris Hilton.

Nicole in Winter Kate

Nicole in Winter Kate

Now an established designer with clothing label Winter Kate, she has recently added clutches, hobos and cross body bags to her House of Harlow 1960 range. The whole collection is very boho, very 70s inspired and very Nicole Richie.

She says of the collection: “Handbags have always been a part of the equation since we first launched the House of Harlow 1960 brand, we just needed to make sure all of the components were aligned before setting foot into that category. The collection is quite small in terms of the styles we are launching with. I wanted to make sure that each piece is special and then be able to grow it slowly and organically season after season.”

This new range uses materials like vintage leather and young calf hair and has details like fringes, toggles, triangle studs, velvet and crystallized jaguar head hardware.

Forever a friend of the people, she added: “When I design, I always try to design pieces that are universal, meaning anyone can wear and carry it. At this stage of my design process, I really try to gather direct feedback from my customers, whether through in-store personal appearances, my Web site, Twitter or Facebook. It really helps me when they provide me with their desires, feedback and comments on what they are looking for, so I can try my best to cater to their needs, yet stay true to the brand’s identity.”

The prices aren’t too ridiculous and start around £100 for a clutch and go up to over £500 for a hobo style bag.

Accessorize & Matthew Williamson Collaboration

Accessorize has teamed with designer Matthew Williamson to raise money for charities The Monsoon Accessorize Trust and Too Many Women. The exclusive charm bracelet features interlocking hoops woven with colourful threads and with 10 golden charms featuring letters t, m, and w for Too Many Women and the designer's initials.

£15

50% of the profit will be donated to The Monsoon Accessorize Trust, helping disadvantaged women and children in Asia, with the other 50% going to Too Many Women, which aids Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

Ajak Deng in S/S 2011 Matthew Williamson

Mini Trend: Bright Bags

If the thought of colour blocking brings you out in a cold sweat – it’s hard for us to imagine an outfit that isn’t based around black either – then add some zing with a colourful bag! Doesn’t matter if it’s a bucket bag, a satchel (very now), a large clutch (even more now) or a plain old rucksack, a little bit of colour goes a long way. Besides; it’s Spring – it won’t hurt to try!

Clutches by Aspinal of London

Spring 2011 Trend: Statement Necklaces

Perhaps not for shy, retiring types but sure to make an outfit pop,  we are rather taken by this trend – statement necklaces. Seen at YSL teamed with a simple black jumpsuit and at Lanvin with embellished dresses, these necklaces can be worn with a variety of outfits.

Lanvin S/S 2011

To show the necklace off, it’s best to keep your hair off your face so the piece can really stand out.

Why not try one of these?

£22. Accessorize

£85. Dolce and Banana

From emerging designer in South Africa.

£700. Lanvin

Sigh. A girl can dream!

£89. Kenneth Jay Lane

Was £265, now £106. ACB

Fashionable and Practical - Josy Flo's Belts

While London is full of fashionistas sampling the delights of Fashion Week at Somerset House, there has also been a showcase for ethical designers at Ecoluxe London at Axis on Aldwych. There were some fabulous creations on show there and we’ll be telling you about our discoveries in the coming weeks.

If you have ever worried about the safety of your possessions while dancing the night away, then you may agree that you need a Josy Flo belt. 

These funky, ethically-produced belts work for day or nighttime, but they do come with a difference. They contain pouches for your cards, phone and keys.

According to the creator Josy Spooner, they have been designed for independent women who like to go out and enjoy themselves and not depend on others. Is that you?

If so, you may want to check out www.josyflo.com. Prices generally range from £25 -£40, but they are some great deals on the website right now. There are even some better than half price reductions. 

We definitely recommend!

Cheap Chic Treat: Accessories

Sometimes it's raining outside, you have a cold and there’s just too much month and not enough money. But we still feel like a little retail pick me up. What’s a girl to do? Instead of forking out for a new outfit, why not spend a little less and just get a new accessory? They have the power to transform an outfit and are just enough to still cheer you up!

Jourdan Dunn accessorised out at Sonia Rykiel

Here are a few of our favourites, all under £100:

Was 46.96, now £14.09

Sequinned hairband

£25

 





Alice by Temperley leather stars bracelet. 

£35

Charm Necklace Watch

£52

Dirty Gold Moonstone Ring Low Luv by Erin Wasson

£55

100% silk snow leopard print scarf by Nicole Farhi

£79

Ted Baker 80s style clutch