Bottega Veneta, the high end Italian leather goods brand, has announced plans to launch a range of bags which can be personalised with the initials of individual customers.

The specialised service allows customers to add their own personal touch to handbags and accessories with their initials. With a choice of eight colours for lettering and a range of four different hues of leather, the innovative feature is already available online.

Bottega Veneta’s creative director Tomas Maier told British Vogue: “I’m excited to be launching Initials because it allows us to take the customer-centered philosophy of Bottega Veneta one step further.

“The service is truly personalised and the process is fun. The best part is that the products look great.”

Initially, the service is only available on handbags and accessories. However, the personalisation will be extended to luggage from
July.

In order to personalise your item, you will have to type your initials into their website. Thereafter, customers are shown a range of leather bags, belts, iPad cases and wallets with their initials on in a range of colours.

The brand’s blog states that the service “adds another dimension” to Bottega Veneta’s famous motto, ‘When your own initials are enough’.

Best leather bags

Kate Benjamin’s tan coloured, oversized leather bag is ideal for all occasions. The classic practical bag also comes with a detachable shoulder strap, making it suitable for larger items. It can be worn all year round and features a cream polka dot print inner lining. This bag is exclusive to Accessories Direct.

Suzy Smith has a great collection of handbags. We love the gorgeous genuine leather brown scoop shoulder bag. Small and sweet, it makes the perfect everyday wear bag. Complete with gold tone metal branding on the front, this classic bag will never go out of style.

The world’s favourite royal couple celebrated their first anniversary this weekend, marking Kate Middleton’s first 12 months as a princess.

This time last year, the world was gripped with royal wedding fever. Over 24 million people in the UK alone and over 2 billion people worldwide watched the royal wedding on 29^th April 2011.

Kate Middleton, 30, has spent the last year attending official royal duties around the world, as well as participating in charitable
work. She has also attended a number of glitzy film premieres and rubbed shoulders with several A-list celebrities.

The couple’s first year has been a whirlwind of events with Prince William, 29,  spending the last six weeks completing his marine pilot training in the Falklands. Whilst the prince bought his wife a puppy for company, his training meant that the newlyweds missed their first Valentine’s Day.

The royal couple were expected to have a low-key private anniversary event at the weekend, a St James’s Palace spokesman stated. Whilst no other details were revealed, the couple may have exchanged gifts or enjoyed a romantic meal in privacy.

Wedding anniversaries range from paper to diamond or, if you make it to 80 years of marriage, oak.

If you’re looking for some special anniversary gift ideas, here are some of our timeless jewellery favourites.

Gold necklaces

They say that diamonds are a girl’s best friend….but gold is a pretty reliable companion!

You cannot go wrong with an elegant gold necklace. We love the Dinny Hall lotus petal 18k gold vermeil necklace, with a delicate
adjustable chain.

Earrings

Special occasion earrings are a wardrobe essential, yet, anniversary earrings are just that little bit more special. We love the long drop Swarovski elements earrings from The Earring Boutique.

Kate Spade, the prominent accessories designer, has recently launched a new range of summer nail polish colours.

The collection, which was unveiled at a launch in New York, will bring a new wave of trends to the beauty world for summer 2012.

The new shades were inspired by the late Australian artist, Florence Broadhurst, who created vivid works during the early 20^th century. The new nail polish set is made up of four shades and was created by Poppy King, a renowned make-up artist.

Speaking to In Style, she said: “I have long been waiting for the right reason to turn my eye from lipstick to nail polish! Florence Broadhurst was the perfect inspiration to have me design nail shades that spoke to the same female fun as lipstick.”

The travel set comes with four shades, Solar Orange, Watermelon Fingers, Yellow Cockatoo and Sea Foam Swirls.

For even more fabulous fingers, check out our favourite rings and wonderful wrist accessories.

Made UK

The Made UK fair trade encased glass brass ring is another wonderful treat for all eco fashion fans. The stunning yet simple design was crafted from the in-house design team in Kenya and is made of recycled clear glass set in a raised hand-bezeled brass ring. The ring is subtle and sophisticated and could be worn as a standalone piece or paired with bangles and bracelets.

Noemi

For something a little more glamorous, Noemi provide an elegant ring decorated with Swarovski element crystals. The beautifully embellished dome ring is a statement piece set to stun fans of the brand. The hand set crystals that cover the surface of the ring make it the perfect gift or stylish addition to any outfit.

The majority of the country is officially in drought, despite flood warnings being issued.

A week of wet weather has been forecast and the Environment Agency has even issued three flood warnings across the UK.  Following
heavy rain, residents in Honiton, Colyton and Charmouth have been warned to protect themselves and their properties.

The Met Office has issued warnings for rain, snow, wind, fog and ice across the UK. Parts of Wales and the South East are expected to see as much as one month’s worth of rain fall in the coming weeks, despite a nationwide hosepipe ban still in place.

Brave those April showers in style with some of the best rainy day accessories:

Umbrellas

Nothing says dry and stylish more than a funky umbrella. We love Bombay Duck’s collection of fun and playful prints on umbrellas. The black polka dot shoe print umbrella with a black ruffle trim is perfect for quick getaways, keeping your ‘on trend’ outfit safe from drizzly showers. Its convenient handbag size makes it a miniature life-saver for rainy weather!

The brand even offers child-sized umbrellas so that you and your little one can stay dry in style. The adorable dog-print umbrella with a pink tip and handle is ideal for little girls!

Bags

Without a handy zip/fastening, your much-loved belongings could soon be swimming in a puddle of rainwater, so keep your everyday essentials high and dry with a stylish zip bag - nothing will rain on your fashion parade!

The Modalu Red Pippa Grab bag is ideal for wet conditions with its statement zips and fabulous vintage fitting. This leather bag is both classic and timeless and is definitely a head turner which is set to brighten up even the darkest of rainy days!

Whether it’s a chilly spring day, perfect picnic weather or you are simply in need of some office chic, we have sniffed out some of the best accessories to keep you looking stylish throughout the day.

1. Statement necklace

Give your everyday outfits an injection of energy with a bold statement necklace. Kate Benjamin’s turquoise and leopard necklace would look great with a simple white top and dark blazer. This chic look would be perfect for the office and would add a touch of colour and print detail to any plain LBD.

2. Tote bags

Casual and easy to handle, tote handbags  are an absolute ‘must’ for this season. From cute floral print lined totes (like the Kate Benjamin black leather tote bag with Liberty lining) to chic tan and leather bags (like the Kate Benjamin tan leather bag), they are perfect for everyday use.

Great for summer getaways and strolls to the shops, tote bags not only look fantastic but are also the Mary Poppins of bags, with enough space to fit all of life’s essentials in….and a little extra!

aD loves the Fiorelli white woven textured shopper bag:

3. Sunglasses

What spring/summer wardrobe would be complete without sunglasses? From oversized gradient sunglasses to something a little more subtle, there is something out there to suit every face shape. Edging on 1960s cool, cat eye sunglasses have been seen on both Kim Kardashian and Beyoncé recently. With bright bold frames in mustards, bright whites and dusty pinks, cat eye sunglasses are perfect for spring and summer days out.

4. Clutch bag

Simple, sweet and just about large enough to hold your change, lipstick and phone, clutch bags are great for a quick dash outside without being weighed down by everything you own. You could opt for a chic, bold colour to brighten up your casual outfit, or a classic chic art deco inspired clutch for a vintage look.

5. Subtle jewellery

Dress down during the day with some pretty but subtle gold jewellery and elegant earrings. Make your look even more sophisticated by sticking to monochrome earrings and bracelets. Gold bangles (like the Made UK triple logo brass bangle) and teardrop earrings (like the Kate Benjamin golden crystal drop earrings) with a statement necklace could look fabulous whatever time of day or night it is.

The British Fashion Council has published a draft schedule of the upcoming London Men’s Fashion week.

A number of emerging and international British designers will head to the capital city for the June event. Burberry, Christopher Kane, Hackett and Paul Smith are just a few of the bigger names to showcase their latest collections.

One of the most highly anticipated events on the fashion calendar will begin on 15^th June, with over 50 shows running until 17^th June.

“This is a fabulous initiative, and one that will undoubtedly draw even more attention towards London this year. Whether you’re involved in sport, fashion, media, retail, entertainment or tech, or indeed any industry, London is the place to be in 2012,” commented Dylan Jones, GQ Editor & Chair of the Fashion 2012 Menswear Committee.

Shows will take place at venues across the city with The Hospital Club being the central hub of activity.

HRH The Prince of Wales will be hosting a private reception to celebrate the launch of the London Collections on 14^th June.

Kick-starting the show in the provisional schedule will be the Stephen Webster collection, followed by Burberry and Savile Row.

The British Fashion Council will confirm the final updates to the schedule in May.

If you can’t wait that long to see the latest male accessories, here are some of our favourite designers in this sphere:

1. Ashwood Leather

Sleek and stylish, we love the Ashwood Leather collection of satchels. Heavy-duty, brown briefcase styles and messenger satchels are very much ‘on trend’, as well as being perfect for any occasion.

2. Cuff Candy

Sooner or later, cufflinks will enter a man’s wardrobe and what better way to show off your wrists than with a bit of Cuff Candy. We love their
innovative and inventive designs, ranging from understated black Swarovski crystals to bold snakeskin cufflinks.

1. Aspinal of London

We love their black leather billfold coin wallet with Aspinal’s signature lining.  Comprising of eight credit card pockets and two pockets which are larger in depth, there is certainly plenty of storage space.

From fragrances to fashion, Victoria Beckham has turned her hand to a lot of things over the last few years. However, her latest venture may take even her most committed fans by surprise as she has now turned her hand to designing cars.

The 38-year-old former Spice Girl unveiled the limited edition Range Rover Evoque over the weekend in Beijing.

Wearing a number of outfits from her own collection, Victoria Beckham showed off the car, for which she was appointed as a design consultant in 2010.

Largely inspired by her husband David Beckham, the £80,000 luxury special edition product vehicle features baseball-like stitching within the chairs.

This is the first luxury product she has created for Range Rover.

The mum-of-four’s car design debut also features her signature colour, rose gold, both on the interior and exterior of the vehicle.

A watch that her husband and sons bought for her inspired the rose gold detail, which can be seen in the car.

Talking about her design, Mrs Beckham stated: “It is a colour people very much associate with me and my brand. I wanted to use a little bit of it to put my stamp on it but nothing too much, to use it in a very subtle way.

“My Range Rover at home doesn’t feel particularly girlie, David and I share the car. Although my Special Edition feels strong and almost a little
masculine, I also wanted it to have a feminine touch and that’s something that’s very much at the back of my mind with everything I design.”

The Ranger Rover design director Gerry McGovern and Victoria Beckham worked together to ensure that the car appealed equally to both men and women.

Posh Spice has always been known for her love of oversized sunglasses. In order to get the look this summer, here are some of our favourites:

1.    Suuna

Whilst these sunglasses are not quite rose gold, they are certainly caramel gold, complete with lightweight bulbous end tips for comfort.

2.    Fabris Lane

Aviators are tipped to be a hot look for this summer, with VB sporting a pair in her own collection. Try these timeless and chic Fabris Lane aviator sunglasses with subtle pink tone lenses:

The Queen is not the only one celebrating her Diamond Jubilee this year, as the fashion world signals their intention to take inspiration from all things British.

Harvey Nichols, the luxury Knightsbridge department store, has set up shop with some patriotic window displays.

The vintage era-inspired windows within the central London store illustrate fashion through the ages under Queen Elizabeth II’s reign.

Predominately focused on the 1950s, the idea is designed as a tribute in this special year for the Monarch.

Specialist boutiques and shops within the department store will be dedicated to lingerie, menswear, ladies wear and food.

Janet Wardley, Head of visual displays at the store, told The Telegraph:

“The inspiration for the shop fronts came directly from the trends seen on the spring/summer 2012 catwalks.

“Sugary pastels for the sweet shop, florals for the florist, fruit and vegetables for the greengrocer and fish-like sequins and detailing for the fishmonger.”

The fishmonger display is dedicated to showcasing the best of this season’s pastel hues and aquatic fashion, including ‘Clutch of the Day’.

However, if you are looking for a fish-free clutch bag but still want to feel part of the Jubilee celebrations, here are a few British bag designers to inspire you in 2012:

1. Suzy Smith

The London-based designer has a number of goodies on offer from block coloured leather flap clutch bags to cute floral print hard case clutches. For a truly British vintage inspired clutch, look no further than the ‘Kingfisher’ floral print hard case clutch with diamanté clasp.

2. Kate Benjamin

British-based Kate Benjamin has a number of handbags to suit all tastes and styles. The elegant black lace clutch with a soft satin inlay is the perfect way to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee in style.

Put a spring back in your step this season and update your wardrobe at the same time with some fashionable favourites. With styles ranging from the roaring 1920s to bold bangles, there is something to suit all tastes.

Below are some of the top spring essentials for 2012:

1. Pastel bags

Pretty pastels are back for another year and this is definitely something to be celebrated. Bright, candy coloured accessories can bring almost any outfit to life. Try the Olga Berg cream patent shoulder bag or the Fiorelli nude pink small shoulder bag..

2. Oversized hats

Kate Moss, Jameela Jamil and Sarah Jessica Parker have all been recent champions of this unique spring essential. Oversized hats provide an element of 70s chic with a casual slant. The eco-friendly Pachacuti-Panama Hat could make a great addition to your wardrobe this year. Whether it’s an oversized trilby or just a floppy sun hat for the beach, these old favourites are currently storming their way into the top essential spring accessories list. We sincerely hope that they’re here to stay!

3. Chunky bangles

Why not instantly update your wardrobe with a few summer inspired bangles? These funky accessories can currently be seen on the wrists of a number of celebrities and international high-end designers. You can find them in a range of textures, prints and colours, from simple gold cuffs to elaborate and bold statement bangles. We particularly love the Kate Benjamin orange block geometric bangle.

4. Gatsby chic

With a film adaption of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby scheduled for release later this year, the fashion world has turned its attention to various items from the 1920s era. Flapper dresses, deco details, tassel trims and feathers galore are set to be a significant trend for this summer. You can achieve the look without breaking the bank by getting hold of some long beaded necklaces, like the Kate Benjamin elegant navy blue long beaded crystal necklace.

After the first full five days back at work following the Bank Holiday, the weekend is finally upon us!

Whatever you’re planning on doing this weekend, make sure you have the accessories to match:

Get-away weekend

If you’re packing your bags and jetting off this weekend, why not do it in style? One particular get-away weekend must-have is, of course, the overnight bag. Where in the world would women be able to store everything and the kitchen sink if it weren’t for the over-sized, weekend bag?

We love this gorgeous brown oak leather tan bag from Moroccan Bazaar. Not only will you look stylish and sophisticated, but the bag also has a luxury vintage feel, perfect to accommodate any look.

Night out/ drinks with the girls

You can jazz up any outfit with some stylish accessories. A single necklace or set of bracelets could totally transform your look. Whether
you’re out for some fine dining or going for drinks, statement jewellery is perfect for any night out.

We love this gold leaf statement necklace from Made UK. Consisting of five cast brass leaves all linked together and attached with a handmade
recycled chain necklace, it’s set to impress any evening crowd.

Lazy days at home

Staying in and putting your feet up is one of the many benefits of having a weekend. We love nothing more than lounging around, however, this requires the ultimate in comfortable clothing as well as a good film and some popcorn. The only way to fully enjoy your lazy day at home is with a pair of loungerie trousers. You can’t go wrong with classic black or taupe matched with a vest top and hooded jacket, helping you to get ready to spend a day in front of the TV or tucked up with a good book.