When it comes to juggling many things at once, Audrey Yue-Aqui has skills that could put circus performers to shame. A former sales manager for a large biotech company, Audrey now uses her multi-tasking and organizational skills as the CEO of the Yue-Aqui family. As the mother of two children who both require special care (six year old Isabel has autism and four year old Jack suffers from severe food allergies), Audrey found that her management skills were an advantage in helping her family adjust to their particular challenges. “For a while, our schedules were a blur of doctor’s appointments and (unfortunate) visits to hospitals,” Audrey concedes.

The Yue-Aqui family has since found its groove, with Audrey’s dedication and support of her family showing in the lives of her children. Isabel has since been fully mainstreamed into a ‘neurotypical’ classroom and Jack understands how to manage his diet to keep himself healthy and active.

Audrey is now considering a second career—one that will manage her experiences as both a sales manager and child advocate—and may find herself as a liason for parents with special needs sometime in the future.

Audrey wears countless hats, but it turns out that she only needs a few Belen Echandia bags to keep her organized and prepared to handle her busy days. She carries specific toys and items for Isabel, files related to her volunteer and advocate work, and the daily necessities that help so many women run a home office from a handbag. “I feel like I have a beautiful “tool box” with me at all times. It’s a little like Wonder Woman and her bullet-proof cuff bracelets – beautiful, practical, and invincible!”

Favorite Exercise: Cycling. “I envision our retirement as a series of bike trips in different parts of the world.”

Little Known Desire: Toy store owner. “This is my alter ego speaking!”

What’s She Carries in Her BE On Any Given Day:
• BE Angel Purse
• Wallet, iPhone, Moleskine® planner
• Medications for Jack’s food allergies
• Special snacks for Jack
• Toys/entertainments for Isabel (to help her adapt to new situations)
• Headphones (in case noise is too much for Isabel)
• Hand sanitizer, gum, pen, stain stick (staple ‘Mom’ stuff)
• Wonder Woman bracelets (kidding)

Favorite Belen Echandia Bag: “This is like asking me to pick a favorite child!” Audrey jokes.

Audrey was interviewed by Laura from Dallas, a photo industry journalist and the author of Digital Photography for Busy Women. As the mother of three children ages eight and under, she spends so much time running that she’s considered asking Nike® for an endorsement. She is grateful her husband has a sense of humor.

Monday, 15 September 2008

So, that’s me rifling through my newly acquired Belen Echandia Take Me Everywhere bag on the way to the shows – from here forward, simply to be referred to as BE. BE made its debut at the Qasimi show, which I can only imagine cost a small fortune to produce. A pair of model-esque musicians playing golden violins serenaded us to our seats and the show was opened by Jade Parfitt wearing one of milliner, Louis Mariette’s most renowned feathered headpieces. An army of models (45 or so – that’s a lot of shoes to have to sort out) wearing equestrian, safari and Indian-inspired pieces made their way down the catwalk, then stood at attention until Erin O’Connor (also wearing a Louis Mariette piece) closed the show in a couture gown.

In the evening, BE and I went to On|Off’s 10th anniversary party, which was so overcrowded the fire brigade was called in to deal with the large mob numbers. I was excited to spot my head floating on On|Off’s wall-sized celebration banner – pictured with Alison Lowe of Felicities and fashion stylist, Rebekah Roy from On|Off’s Custard Party in Paris last February. The three of us are just above Hilary Alexander and just below Cleo Rocos, who was at the party as well and is so nice!

Tuesday, 16 September 2008
BE and I started our day with a whimsical show by master milliner, Justin Smith and his label, J Smith Esquire. Dancers were cast in place of models, and careened down the catwalk wearing his gorgeously quirky hats. My top pick was the Amy Winehouse, which featured sequin-filled woven balls and long beaded tassels. Justin is great and pictured here modelling one of his pieces.

Next stop was Aquascutum at the Science Museum. This was my choice show of the week. Everything from the music, to the silver Manolo Blahnik shoes, to the little books and pencils on each chair, the models (who didn’t walk this show?!), and of course to the beautiful collection, paying tribute to my favourite colour, blue, was perfect. I loved it (in an unbiased way as possible, as I do adore Mr. Herz). Although the focus was on blue, the show did start with a series of white pieces, and I am guilty of falling for a lovely white jacket with layered panels. I think this photo of Michael Herz and Graeme Fidler post-show outside the museum is lovely. I was asked by Michael not to blog it, but I like it. Sorry, Mr. Herz. I’ll bake something for you.

Later in the day BE and I went to see Afshin Feiz. I met Afshin in Paris (where his studio is based) last February and he truly is one of the genuinely nicest people I’ve come across in the world of fashion, and is one talented designer. He has spent stints at Thierry Mugler, John Galliano, Christian Lacroix Haute Couture, Gilles Rosier and Nina Ricci. For SS2009 he worked with chains, pastels and ruffles. The end result was a collection of pretty dresses reminiscent of cupcake frosting with an injection of sexy. I was happy to be perched beside my lovely friend and illustrator, Daisy de Villeneuve and her mum, former model, Jan de Villeneuve. Daisy is in the new Gap ad campaign and was assigned to blog LFW for Style.com.

A few hours later, after a party at The Metropolitan, I found myself at Afshin’s after party (Afshin and I are pictured below) at Mahiki in Mayfair, where he treated an intimate circle of friends to champagne and watermelon martinis – a yummy end to the day!

Wednesday, 17 September 2008
Betty Jackson was BE and mine’s first show of the day, with the gorgeous MD of Muks, Jaime Cooke. She’s pictured here with her very own Belen Echandia number, the Take Me Anywhere in tan.

I’m not sure how I felt about Betty Jackson. At first I didn’t think she got the memo that is was spring/summer, but as the looks progressed, some nice oranges and prints emerged. I did, however, love the Avsh Alom Gur show which followed. His collections are always so fun and carefree, and filled with little oddities like knitted chair earrings and lots of colour! The Bernard Chandran show was amazing. Pretty much every single piece was exquisite – the shapes, the textures, the details…and the little boquet of lilies on each seat was a nice touch. Basso & Brooke was Basso & Brooke – lots of bright, beautiful prints, but this time with a Japanese spin. Their after party at Paper was fun. I went along with stylists, Rebekah Roy and Shyla Hassan, and we shared a table with the girls from Elle, Leanne Meaney and Leanne Bayley, pictured below, along with Shyla and me.


Thursday, 18 September 2008
I’ll just skip over the first show of the day as it’s mean to slam a label on the Internet, but it was really not good. The redeeming point of Thursday was seeing the Victim show by Mei-Hui Liu. It was so much fun. Layer upon layer of colourful lace, corsetry, and amazing shoes, hair and make-up. Not necessarily pieces I would wear personally, but I really loved the show.

So, on to Vivienne Westwood. I didn’t go to the show. I was having a delicious meal of potato pancakes with uber-DJ, Jeffrey Disaster and stylist, Shyla Hassan, but what I did do, was DJ at the after party (photographic evidence below) at 33 Portland Place – sandwiched in between sets by the stunning Skin from Skunk Anansie and The Horror’s lead singer, Faris Badwan, who was super nice and quite shy…and very appreciative of the gin and ginger ale I snuck him!

I got some great photos of new friend and Creative Impressario, Philip Levine’s fabulously decorated head throughout the week! What I do regret is not getting a photo of Phil shaking it with Emma Watson (Harry Potter’s Hermione) on the dance floor at Viv’s after party – hilarious!


Friday, 19 September 2008
A perfect last day. The sun was shining, it was warm, and hardly a cloud in the sky! BE and I started with Bora Aksu (kind of predictable and samey), then went on to Osman Yousefzada – fabulous venue – the Crystal Palace in Hyde Park with beautifully tailored clothes and stunning make-up. I had to take a photo of these three girls leaving the show - they looked so gorgeous strolling through the grass in the sunshine.

Then on to Scott Ramsay Kyle – urban chic with a twinge of metallic, ethnic embroidery – fun party pieces. Ashish was Ashish – lots of sequins, but a fun new addition of beaded fringing, dresses of giant playing cards, and big oversized military jackets –very fun, very Ashish! Aminaka Wilmont was gorgeous. Draping teamed with delicate/edgy detailing in a cool palette – and loved how Rock & Roll Queen by The Subways was in the soundtrack – such a good song! The last show BE and I saw was Inbar Spector at the Vauxhall Fashion Scout. I have to take a moment to say how lovely the venue has become. They’ve come so far in the last few years, and Martyn and John, who run it, are so nice, as is all of their staff, and their media room sponsors, the team at koodos. Well done, VFS, and koodos!

Back to Inbar Spector. She showed last season, and I was hot-tipped by the show’s stylist, the fabulous Rebekah Roy. I loved it. Inbar is not afraid of volume, and makes the most amazing trousers. This season, the volume was upped several notches with lace and tulle twisted and manipulated into the most fantastically structured pieces, and the styling was second to none. Rebekah styled several shows over the week: Karen Brost, Harriet’s Muse, and Inbar Spector. Nice work, Ms. Roy. You can go sleep now. Rebekah also happens to carry a dashing crushed silver Belen Echandia handbag. Here’s a photo of Rebekah with catwalk artist, Albie Espinola and her silver bag just to her right, your left.

That’s it for this season.
Signing out,
Courtney Blackman
Founder & MD, Forward PR
Co-Founder & Vice Chairman, Fashion Business Club

Although they have not hit off hugely in the US or UK, in Hong Kong, man bags are extremely popular. I had to stop and ask someone what they need an entire bag for. Luckily, the first person I asked spoke perfect English. I asked him what was in his bag, and he told me that he keeps his keys, wallet, phone, folders, sunglasses, etc. He said, “Why keep everything in your pockets and make your trousers look bulky, when you can be practical and stylish at the same time.” It makes sense.

Now, I don’t think most men outside of Asia would have that same attitude, and my boyfriend proves that point. He says to me all the time, “why do I need my own bag, when you can carry everything for me in yours?” That’s men for you, huh?

I have also seen men carrying their wife’s, girlfriend’s, etc. handbags. How nice would it be if your significant other would carry around your heavy handbag sometimes. Maybe then they wouldn’t ask you to hold so much!

x Ashley

The WTM in pewter crash is the perfect example of true luxury - the softest leather from one of Italy’s most prestigious Italian leather tanneries. Made by hand by Italian artisans in the old-fashioned way.

As a handbag designer one of my favourite jobs is research - looking at the trends, the new colours and fabrics and wondering what I am going to be wearing and designing in 12 months’ time. I love visiting the trends areas in Paris and the trade fairs in Italy and I always take time out to immerse myself fully in the culture and atmosphere. I also love keeping an eye on what is happening online.

Today I logged on to one of my favourite online shops and after browsing and adding a couple of new clothing items to my basket, I had a quick look at the handbag department - and got a shock. Almost every handbag available (from many different designers) cost well over £1,000 ($2,000)- and that was for leather, not exotic skins. Most of them were made from similar or the same leather and python skins BE uses and many of them would have been mass-produced in Eastern Europe rather than hand-produced in Italy in limited quantities as Belen Echandia bags are. And it made me stop and think.

I often judge quality on the basis of cost. I know that Magnus does too. I once asked him to help me understand men’s purchasing decisions and his immediate response was “make it expensive”. But having worked in the fashion industry for 5 years, let me let you in on a secret. What you pay does not necessarily determine the quality you get. The best example is a top designer trying to charge $500 for a t-shirt made of ordinary cotton just because it has their name on it. I wouldn’t buy it because I can see past the ‘big name’ marketing game. But obviously someone does.

I suppose what it comes down to is how you value your purchases. Do you prefer to pay $2,000 for a ‘big name’ or can you recognise that quality doesn’t have to cost the earth. Don’t get me wrong, I would much prefer to have a few high quality items in my wardrobe than twenty cheaper ones. And generally in life, you do ‘get what you pay for’. But it can’t just be me who loves it when I stumble upon a designer or a store which both satisfies my high expectations of quality and ahem, charges me a less-than ridiculous price for it.

What I really love, I suppose, is when I get MORE than I pay for and that is precisely what Belen Echandia is about. Just another one of my ideas of luxury…

One of our lovely customers just sent me this article on the meaning of luxury.

http://themoment.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/08/28/for-the-moment-advanced-shopping/#more-5808

Great news! We have just received stock in new colours of the Take Me Everywhere. I love this style because it is tall, elegant, and oh so chic. As I tend to fill my bags with endless amounts of items, the TME is perfect as it is extrememly light to carry. It fits perfectly over my shoulder, and the rounded handles never slide off. It is easy to carry over the shoulder, as well as on the arm. It is easy to carry to work and on everyday errands.

My favourite colour would have to be the Chocolate Crash with gold hardware. There is something so chic and unique about this leather, just the right amount of metallic to add style to any outfit!

Ashley

I have never been to Lake Geneva, but one of our Take Me Anywhere bags has. I am grateful to customers around the world for sending us such fantastic ‘postcards’ of their BE bags enjoying their vacations. So thank you Natasha for sending us this. What a beautiful view she has from here…

One of my ambitions is for a BE bag to visit the Great Wall of China. So if anyone out there has a picture of BE at the Great Wall or anywhere else just enjoying the view, please do send it over for us to post on our ‘Adventures of Belen Echandia bags’ section.

Jackie

While walking around today, I noticed something- collared shirts! In a matter of 2 minutes, everyone that walked past me was wearing a collared shirt! I don’t know if it is standard to wear collared shirts to work, but they definitely looked very polished. Take for instance this outfit I saw Harvey Nichols. How great would the mannequin look with a black crash Make Me Smile Midi on her arm? Gorgeous!

x Ashley