Christmas Gift Guide - The Last Minute Edition!

Happy Monday! The week may have started off a little rainy and cold but there are only five working days separating us from the festivities and well deserved time off. Only five tiny days between us happily retreating to the sofa, opening a box of chocolates and enjoying a much needed glass of bubbly. Now, that is something to truly celebrate and look forward to! If you've been super organised this year with presents, gift wrapping and everything in between, you can ease into the smugness of having the festive season ticked off. However, if like us, you're a bit of a panic shopper and there is a big ol' list of presents still waiting to be sorted out, our last minute gift guide is here to help. With three last minute gift ideas for him and her, you will have all your outstanding gifts ticked off in no time. Time saved panicking about gifts = more time for festive drinks, right?

For Her 

So whether you're shopping for friends, mums, sister or grandmas - we truly have something for every gal in your life. Our luxe Clemmie tote comes in a range of shades and is perfect for a special lady in your life while our Flora and Clara  pieces are perfect for sisters, best friends and your girl squad. We also love a touch of personalisation with our monogrammed key rings - the perfect stocking filler or Secret Santa Piece. All the pieces mentioned come in a wide array of colours for you to mix and match - we just couldn't resist showing you our glitzier numbers for the festive season!

For Him

And what about the boys? We hear you ask. Don't worry, we have gift giving sorted for them as well.

Our Lou Tote is simply a no brainer when it comes to charming the gentleman in your life while an assortment of our roomiest wash bags is perfect for the jet setters who need to carry shaving balm, toiletries and tech equipment around the globe. As for the girls, we also can't resist a key ring perhaps with a special date or nickname engraved in gold.


Happy Last Minute Shopping - don't forget our signature gift boxes are back this year in three sizes to   add a festive touch to your presents!

Love,

Pepper Alley HQ X 

Summer Wedding - It's Never too Late!

Summer is almost over; the last of the summer wine is being consumed and you are turning your gaze towards the new season. What will AW18 hold? What will London Fashion Week have in store for us? And most importantly, can you get away with buying yet another Edie pencil case for the sake of 'Back to School'?! (Of course you can, take it from us). However, before you leave summer fully behind, it's time to face that seasonal hybrid that comes to visit time and time again - the late summer, early September wedding. This occasion is enough to send even the most experienced wedding guests in a flurry of indecision - bare skin or tights? Can I get away with a short dress? And ultimately, shall I take a cardi? Fear not, friends of Pepper Alley - we are prepared with three top tips for you to ace the Autumn Edition of wedding guest style.

• Don't Be Afraid to Dare - While summer weddings bring their fair share of saccharine hues and  sweet pastel tones, late summer and autumn dos bring the opportunity to opt for a more daring style. Don't be afraid to experiment with dress lengths, bolder make up or a touch of metallic during the day - it's what Autumn weddings were made for. We love the rich golden of our Flora and Clara clutch and wristlet - the perfect piece to wish summer goodbye in style. 

• Turn up the Drama -  Have you read tip number one? Well, read it again and this time take it up a notch. Take inspiration from the colours around you - the last of the summer wine, the sky getting a little moodier than usual, the seasonal produce turning a dark shade of crimson...all the beauty that nature has to offer at this time of year. We love a Charcoal Eva clutch - the perfect shade to pair with deep oranges and purples. 

It's All About Balance  -  Just like the seasons gradually change from one to another in an effortless transition, your look for a late summer wedding needs to work in perfect harmony. An unexpected bare leg can be pared back with a satin shawl to wrap up for a chilly evening or a bright colour can be expertly toned down with some clever neutrals. Similarly, a hairstyle that is too severe can be easily softened with barely there make up or a bold lip can be matched to flawless skin reminiscent of that summer glow. Our favourite way to pare back a bold look? With our palette of neutrals of course. 

Remember that if you need more wedding style topics,  you can find more inspo right here . 

Wishing you a happy end to the summer holidays -  we can't wait to show you what we have in store for September. 

Love,

Pepper Alley HQ X 

LFW - Our Highlights

Fashion month can be quite the blur - It's a mixture of looks, outfit changes and interesting fashion types inundating London's South Bank every season. Their energy adds a long lasting buzz to London which can be felt even after their departure; after their impact, the city will never be the same.

As each city only has a few days to give it their all, catching each second can be tricky and the constant updates powered through the force of publications, influencers and fashion houses alike makes it easy to get overwhelmed in a flurry of Fashion Week mayhem. Luckily, we have picked our A/W18 highlights ready to share with you - Happy Fashion Month!


London, a Fairytale Backdrop - How many times have we swooned over the perfect interiors at Sketch? And how many times have we found ourselves thinking, 'Yep this would be the ideal location for a fashion shoot'?. Turns out the clever minds behind Ryan Lo Studio shared our ideas and used Sketch as probably the most Insta worthy shoot location ever. If you do visit take our blush Clemmie tote and have fun matching the interiors!

    (Picture Source: Evening Standard)

The Queen, Making an Appearance -  A little like red and pink, or denim paired with a super smart coat, the Queen and Anna Wintour are one of those unlikely style combinations that appear odd in theory but work oh so well in practice. Seeing these two sat in together at Richard Quinn's show was certainly one of the most iconic moments of the season and the royal approval of LFW will certainly impact generations of British designers to come.

 (Picture via Vogue)

Saying Goodbye to Christopher Bailey and Celebrating Diversity -   Christopher Bailey did not end his final season at Burberry without making a statement: renowned for his celebration of diversity, the designer filled the catwalk with rainbows in honour of LGBTQ+ rights. The show, which reminisced Bailey's earlier contributions to the fashion house, made for an iconic farewell and marked the designer's long lasting legacy to Burberry and the world of fashion.

(Picture via The Telegraph)

What were your #LFW highlights? We'd love to know!

Love,

Pepper Alley HQ X 

Valentine's Day!

Is it a truth universally acknowledged that February is the month of love. The month that can send even the most cynical among us in a frenzied panic to try and find the right date, the right restaurant and the right outfit and which some single people admit to hating with a passion for the feelings of anxiety it can sometimes induce.

Here at Pepper Alley, we are known for experiencing life through rose tinted glasses (just look at the romantic lines on our Clemmie tote!) and while we know that love doesn't need a single day to be celebrated, it can be lovely to take the time to reflect on the things that make life so lovely and embracing them in a celebration dedicated exclusively to love. So here is a little list to (you know it!), spread the #pepperalleylove this Valentine's Day. Little does it matter whether you're married, in a relationship or single - embrace the day however you want to and remember to share your tips and tricks to spread the love this February, we're all ears!


Make Time For Yourself: We have heard it before from mums and grandmothers all over the world, how will anyone love us if we don't love ourselves in the first place? While a little cheesy, this somewhat dated piece of advice still rings true and makes for the perfect excuse to make time for the things we love to do but can't always fit in our daily lives. Bubble bath? Glass of champagne while watching Netflix? That Yoga class you can never quite make? Take your pick and indulge in some well deserved You time.

(Picture Courtesy of Pinterest)

Embrace...Love:  A text to your sister to remind her why she is the best, a compromise with your other half over what TV series you watch first, freshly baked biscuits to take into work, leaving your change to pay for the next customer's coffee...there are many ways to embrace love and many of these don't require large quantities of money, just a little effort and good intentions. Similarly, as we move towards Spring, embracing blush hues and playing with softer tailoring and lines can also be a way to renew your wardrobe and meet the new season with a touch of romance.

(Shop the look here)

Feel Daring:  Saying yes to a new activity, making travel plans, having the audacity to plan that date you have been too afraid to ask for....the month of February (and fortune!) favour the bold and there is no better time to ask (nicely!) for what you really want. Our indulgent satin textures and bold Emerald and Ruby lining are the perfect start for those seeking an element of surprise in their lives and wardrobes. Shop the look here and here.

Treat Your Other Half: Whether it's a Lou Tote for him or a Clemmie for her , pull out all the stops to show your loved one how much they mean to you. Remember to ask for our signature engraving services to add that special touch to your gift.

Get your Galentines together:  What's better than a night out with your girlfriends? An excuse to catch up over cocktails, share what has been going on in your lives and make time for each other in spite of your busy schedules and millions of responsibilities. Message the WhatsApp group, save the date and get your Flora clutch out of the wardrobe for the occasion. The added touch to make the occasion truly special? A little surprise monogrammed keyring for each of your friends because even though you may live far  apart, they are still a big part of your life and let's face it, buying for your friends is just so fun!

(Picture courtesy of Pinterest)

So here you have it, a little list to make the most of the month of love. What are your Valentine's Day Traditions?

Remember to share the #pepperalleylove this Valentine's (and always!).

Love, 

Pepper Alley HQ X 

Girls Who Like Boys

Whether it's their leather jackets, a spritz of their perfume or one of their old shirts to sleep in, it's a truth universally acknowledged that women are forever stealing their boyfriend's clothing. Some may argue it's to shake ourselves out of a style rut, others simply declare that it's because their clothes are comfier (have you felt how much softer their jumpers are?!) and others (like us!) admit it's for pure laziness. Whatever your motives, there are definite advantages to taking some style lessons from the boys and with a menswear market that is growing at a faster rate than the women's and is expected to reach $438 billion in 2020, as shared by The Business of Fashion, it seems like the perfect time to immerse ourselves in the world of male fashion. Below, find our top tips for when it comes to taking style lessons from the boys:

(Picture courtesy of Business of Fashion - sometimes the best ideas begin with a #regram )

Keep it Simple: Back in the olden days, fashion for women was ornate, intricate and incredibly unpractical for anyone with a daily commute. Nowadays, designers are listening (thank god!) to women's needs and keeping things simple, structured and tailored to those working and living in the city. Our top tip for the perfect urban outfit? Choose a minimal outfit and let your accessories do the talking. Shop the look here if you fancy taking our blush Clemmie for a spin around the city in time for Spring.

Up the Contrast:  There is a certain allure to a woman who allows herself to be tempted by the cut of masculine clothing and in a world where it's sometimes so difficult to be a woman, the biggest statement we can make it to accept our femininity and embrace it. Don't be afraid to play with contrasts and combine sharper cuts with some pastels or romantic patterns like Kirsten Dust (picture courtesy of Vogue).

Mix it up with the Smart / Casual: Once a dreaded dress code associated with 21st birthdays and engagement parties, the smart casual is now the passe-partout of lazy girl fashion. Shirts play such a big part in this fashion trend and they're the perfect style piece to ensure you can waltz from the office and out for drinks in the blink of an eye. Shop the look here.

Buy Him a Gift You Can Both Use:  With Valentine's Day just around the corner, it could be time to treat your boyfriend to one of our Lou Totes. Large enough to travel or store his laptop / iPad for a day of meetings and made with our signature Italian leather, this really is the gift that keeps on giving as it effortlessly matches all of your outfit when you have oh so casually forgotten your bag at home (again!).

It's never too early to plan the perfect gift for Valentine's Day - remember to get in touch if you want to know more about our personalisation services.

Love,

Pepper Alley HQ X  

Pantone - 183838 Ultra Violet // Our Wish For 2018!

Let us begin by saying that yes, Prince's Purple Rain may have been playing on loop in the making of this post and no, we are definitely not sorry. If you didn't know (where have you been?!), in the Pantone world of all things colourful, Ultra Violet has been announced as the 2018 colour of the year.

As explained by Pantone, the mystical and spiritual characteristics of this colour have always been used by influencers as symbols of their individuality. The introspective quality of this colour has also made it popular in spaces for meditation and reflection whereas its cool blue base links it perfectly to the contemporary world where news apps and technological inventions are at the order of the day.

We are thrilled with this colour choice for 2018 as purple has been inspiring us for a little while over at Pepper Alley HQ as you may have seen in our previous blog posts....

(Pictures courtesy of Pinterest)

Ultra Violet has been described as a colour which lights the way for what is yet to come; perhaps this is the message that resonates with us the most and inspires our craftsmanship. This colour hints at the pursuit of discovering one's own creative potential and the limitless opportunities that can arise from sharing it with the world. 

Ultimately, this is our goal; creating something beautiful and functional which can offer glimpses of infinity for the men and women wearing it - what are they doing? Where are they going? What are their goals? We want them to know that those dreams that seem so out of reach, as vast and limitless as the night sky, can be at arm's length with the right attitude (and bag!). Here is our selection of Ultra Violet goodies to help you push the boundaries and express your potential:

And how could we forget our iconic Celine London Liberty Lining? Hidden within our Eva Clutch bags, they embody the Ultra Violet vision perfectly; a small mystical addition to elevate the mundane and unleash the potential of those who wear it! 

While we may have giggled and jokingly hinted on our Instagram about previously agreeing the colour of the year with Pantone over the phone, what we really want our clients to take away from this colour synergy is not only Pepper Alley's attention to innovative detailing and new trends but also our wish to our clients for 2018. This can be summarised in two key messages as beautifully expressed by Ultra Violet and its characteristics; don't hesitate to seek moments of inner reflection and refuge from this 'overstimulated' world, as Pantone writes, but also enjoy discovering the magic within you and use 2018 as a clean slate to release your full potential.

Get ready to paint 2018 in....Ultra Violet - and remember to shop the blog post here.

Love,

Pepper Alley HQ X 

2017: Our Year in Highlights

Whether you're reading this as you're getting ready for your NYE, lipstick in hand and glass of champagne perched precariously on your bedtime table or whether it's the first of January and you're reading in a haze of Prosecco and good intentions for the year ahead, we would like to wish you a very happy and healthy 2018 from all of us here at Pepper Alley.

To celebrate the year gone by and welcome 2018, we thought we would share a few of our highlights from 2017. Celebrating success is as important as looking ahead and planning new projects and no one does celebrating like the team at Pepper Alley!

#OutandAboutwithClemmie -  The year began in full swing with some love for our iconic Clemmie. We love street style photos and videos and who could have known that a short boomerang filmed on the first day of the year would have predicted one of the biggest colour trends for 2017? Millennial Pink, we are in love! (Watch the video here).

It's what Inside that Counts:  This year we have been working super hard on the fabrics for the inner lining of our products. And yes, when it came to February, we were feeling rather romantic with our Ruby and Emerald green lining. 

....Hello Spring! -  With Spring came a variety of additions to the Pepper Alley family. From the Crystal & Denim collection to our new Celine London Liberty Lining, it was a season of renewal and new projects which were very well received by our clients giving us all the happy feels. 

A Passion for Photography:  Spring didn't just gift us new launches and ideas but also reignited our passion for photography. With the help of fabulous product photographer, Tina Bolton, we presented our new Floras in a setting and style we were thrilled with. We loved the results so much that the photography of all our products got a little revamp as the year went on! To find out more about Tina's work, you can click here.

Putting the Pepper in....personalisation:  As you may know, we have been focusing on something that's close to our hearts....personalisation. Engraving initials, or a significant phrase, on our luxury leather products makes them that little more special whether you're purchasing a gift or a special treat for yourself. Don't hesitate to get in touch and find out more about our signature engraving options. 

....not just bags! -  Our note on personalisation takes us onto a key factor which shaped our 2017: we began to branch out from our signature items welcoming further additions to our collection. Hello key rings, bag charms and leather accessories! 

Magazine Features - We love to look back at the moments that shaped our 2017 and, sometimes, there is nothing better than being recognised for your passion. Pepper Alley was founded following our founder's search tote for a gold tote - these days, we love helping women (and men!) with their quest for the perfect item and these features are simply the best way to connect with more of clients across the UK, and why not, the world! Thank you to these lovely glossies for having us - we couldn't be prouder!

Friends of Pepper Alley:   We love to see our clients and friends wearing our designs - there is nothing more satisfying than being tagged in your outfit pictures and seeing you bring our Clemmies and Floras to life! Here's to more #OOTDs in 2018 and lots of new ways to style our signature items.

Behind the Scenes:  We love sharing our story and we are super proud of the origins of our brand. For this reason, we were thrilled to take you behind the scenes of our production process this year to show you how our iconic leather goods are made from start to finish - expect more #BTS content in the New Year, we can't wait! 

Clemmie dresses up for Christmas (and Winter!) - How could we end the year without a little twist on our iconic Clemmie? We started December with a few sneak peeks and finally revealed our Black / Red number. The perfect Winter Warmer which will keep us looking chic right up until Spring and beyond!

And that's a wrap! Well, actually, we couldn't finish this post without sharing our 2017 #bestnine could we? It seems like you guys love London, new launches and a spot of girl power and, guess what? So do we!

Thank you for your continued support in 2017 - we can't wait to see where 2018 takes us!

Love,

Pepper Alley HQ X