Ocean Blues

In true British fashion, we have loved every second of the heat wave last week. The spontaneous barbeques, the beer garden weather, the opportunity to go to the beach and the unsolicited weatherman instagram stories notyfing every single one of our acquaintances that, yes, it is 30 degrees outside! To be completely honest, we have also really enjoyed complaining about the hot weather and insisting on endless supplies of Pimms to 'cool down' - we told you, we really did indulge in some true British behaviour.

However, with the sun hiding away (for now!), we are missing the heat and have been thinking of ways to bring summer and all the good that comes with it back to Pepper Alley HQ. A ticket to an exotic destination may be a little extreme yet a little look into our Flora Metallic Clutches and, in particular, their lining which is reminiscent of gorgeous maritime locations and summers spent abroad may just do the trick! 

How gorgeous is our Metallic Flora Clutch? Perfect for those balmy nights, both on holiday and in the city, and spacious enought to fit all your essentials! Our Metallic Floras remain a favourite with  clients and we think this little surprise inside may have something to do with it.....

It's our Peacock Blue lining of course! Not only is it elegant and sophisticated but it is also an instant reminder of the blue of the ocean, of summers gone by and of all the adventures that are there to come this Summer 2017. Our Peacock Blue lining is the perfect statement for the fashion conscious and the ideal middle ground between investing in an all - bright look and maintaining a touch of mystery with a subtle nod to one of summer's biggest trends.

Grab yours here (they also come with Emerald lining, making them the perfect present for your travel buddy!) and get ready to add a splash of originality to your summer outfit!

Love, 

Pepper Alley HQ X

Dear Dad, Thank You!

From fragrance to fashion to DIY tips and advice on bad boyfriends, we have an awful lot to thank our dads for!

It all started with an old article, one of those you loved reading and cherish in a memory box despite it being all crumpled up and almost illegible as the years inevitably make their mark on the ink. This particular one was courtesy of Annabel Meggeson at Red Magazine and reflected on the evocative power of male fragrance.  Meggeson explored fragrance and romance yet, on reading, we were instantly transported back into a childhood reverie of Sunday mornings, fresh croissants and dad's Hugo Boss waltzing round the kitchen as he read the morning papers. 

Nowadays, thanks to the phenomenon of brands such as Jo Malone, it is fashionable for women to wear male fragrance and a cloud of Dior's Sauvage on the tube radiating from an impeccably dressed woman is not uncommon. This truly got us thinking about how much we borrow from male fashion daily and, particularly, how many things we owe to our dads so to all the fathers, in no particular order, thank you for:

Your free advice from everything from finance to DIY:  You know the drill, you have just moved into your new flat and you just want to shout 'INDEPENDENCE' from the rooftops. You know exactly what decor style you're going for, you have the pinterest boards ready and you're planning your housewarming canapé menu until disaster strikes and you realise you need a hand with the painting, the floorboards and just about everything in this new house of yours. Cue the panic text to dad who loving comes around to help at no extra cost not counting numerous cups of tea throughout the day!

The Unlikely Fashion Inspiration: Had you told us twenty years ago that we would have been taking style inspiration from our dads, we would have laughed at you yet it is hard to deny that the 'dad charm' has taken the fashion world by storm. Think plaid shirts, fitted tailoring and structured silhouttes; yes, you've guessed it, if you're looking for us we will be raiding dad's closet!

The Free Taxi Service: 'Don't worry, I'll call an Uber', you shouted as you rolled your eyes ready to leave the house. However, it's now 2am, it's raining, you're in high heels and your modern day carriage has effectively stood you up as you refresh the app for the millionth time. Yep, little does it matter if you're thirteen or thirty, if it's late and you're stranded, you're calling dad.

The Right Word at Exactly the Right Time:  Dads sometimes get a bad rep for saying the wrong thing at the wrong time and being just a little clueless especially in relation to their teenage daughters. However, one day or more times than that (depending on how lucky you got with your dad!) the miracle will happen and your father will suprise you ; be it a mention at a new band you love, unexpected  yet informed advice into the world of social media or a snide remark at an ex boyfriend you hate, your father will completely surprise you and you will feel just a tiny bit proud!

So here we have it, a little thank you list for dads all over the world in time for Father's Day! And if you want to spoil pops this Father's Day, do treat him to a Lou Tote perfect for work and travel and impeccably stylish with its urban feel and creamy Italian leather!

Happy Father's Day!

Love,

Pepper Alley HQ X 

Summer in The City // Part One

"Why, Sir, you find no man, at all intellectual, who is willing to leave London. No, Sir, when a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford."

— Samuel Johnson

Even Johnson said it, if you are tired of London, you are tired of life. However, we are pretty sure that Johhnson did not have to deal with rush hour on the tube, paying £7 for a pint or petty arguing over outside seating with other Londoners once the sun graces us with its presence. For this reason, we thought we would start a new series sharing all that we love about the hidden side of London, one where selfie sticks are (thankfully!) not in sight. See it as a form of escapism from the busy side of London, a holiday in your own city or simply, the opportunity to have fun, be inspired and recharge your batteries without the expense of an international flight.

                                            

Graduate Fashion Week //  

This event presents the work of students and graduates from around the world. It is your ticket to fast inspiration courtesy of the most creative bright minds in the industry with the promise of exhibitions, shows and a Gala Award show. Unconvinced? What if we told you that this platform helped launch the success of the likes of Christopher Bailey MBE, Stella McCartney and Julien Macdonald to name a few? See you there! Get your tickets here. Oh and remember to wow the fashion crowd with statement accessories, this number we wore at Cardiff Fashion week fits the bill perfectly - metallics anyone?

London Wine Week //

In need of a holiday? Always dreamed of dropping everything and escaping to the Mediterranean? Well, now this is (almost!) possible - a three day pop - up is coming to East London bringing all the charm of European vineyards for a fraction of the price. With music, drinks, food and all the best parts of a holiday rolled into one major event, you really can't say no ; grab your tickets here and pass the rosè! Oh and a fuss free style tip? Simple, drink your marsala and wear it too with our wine coloured tote.

Wishing you all a lovely weekend! Do tweet us @Pepper_Alley if you have any recommendations of events going on around London, we will see you there!

Love, 

Pepper Alley HQ X

SS17 : Metallic Fever

Welcome to the third instalment of our SS17 fashion guide! It’s time for an old favourite, a passe partout and a key colour trend influencing Pepper Alley designs season after season. You’ve guessed it, it’s time to chat metallics and from silvers and gold to the brassy rose gold hues, we’ve got them all covered!

A common misconception surrounding metallics? The notion that they’re only suitable for evening wear. On the contrary, metallic detailing adds a touch of contemporaneity to any outfit whilst remaining bold yet elegant enough for day and office wear. Take a leaf out of the books of the likes of Jonathan Anderson and Loewe and pair metallics with your office wear in an unashamedly bold and anti comformational fashion like a true #GIRLBOSS. 

Want to have your (metallic) cake and eat it too? Combine two of the biggest SS17 trends and pair metallics with brights (which we discussed in this post). After all, brights are a metallic’s best friend and their pairing always results in an inevitably fresh and vibrant ensemble perfect for injecting some weekend glamour into your wardrobe. Our tip? Add extra glamour to a total bright look with a silver tote.

Think metallics merely revolve around the tones of silver and gold? Think again! Most shades work well in their metallic form and are perfect for creating a sports - luxe city vibe. Tired of Peter Pan collars and fairytale inspiration dominating the catwalk this SS17? Make like an urban princess at Chanel's SS17 show and toughen up your look with a metallic jumpsuit. Alternatively, for a statement that isn’t quite so bold, pair a monochrome jumpsuit with a metallic clutch and let the our Peacock Blue lining do the talking! 

Our ultimate tips when it comes to metallics? It's all down to taking note from the past (rose gold remains very popular, just ask the instagram crowd!) and appreciating that good things come in small packages (like our  Claras, the mini metallic clutches ideal to store your phone, keys and money for a night out!)

Happy Holiday Shopping!

Love,

Pepper Alley HQ  X

( * Fashion Pictures Source: Pinterest )