London was an amazing trip! I came home so inspired! Not only did we sell to amazing, chic, high-end stores there (like Fenwick’s on Bond Street, Austique on Kings Road, Noa (stores in Switzerland and Spain) and Red Magazine (which is an amazing fashion magazine in the UK), but I also met with many of the stylists and editors who help to create the chic, hip and classic London style. We showed them all a preview of our Spring 2009 collection and they went crazy for it!

Our Stalagmite collection (inspired by stalagmites and stalactites’ in caves - seen on Mischa Barton in Cosmopolitan International and Marie Claire magazine) continues to be a hot, hot collection as well as the new Mosaic collection (inspired by Turkish Tile) is making people want spring to come sooner so they can wear it!

One thing I noticed about London is that no two stores look the same. I think America has gotten so used to the mall culture that we forget that stores are supposed to look different - they are supposed to carry a variety of product so at the end of the day we have options on where we choose to spend our money to create a personal, individual style. It was just really cool to see items from all over the world merchandised so creatively.

Another thing about London that was different then NY - you have to go so far down to get to the underground - I felt like I was descending into the earths core!

I had the chance to visit my friend Anna Lou's store - Anna Lou is an AMAZING jewelry designer in the UK - She was recently selected as the "One to Watch" in fashion and retail by the Future 500 List. Her line, Anna Lou of London is a collection of super cute jewelry and handbags. She has a store in Soho off Carnaby Street we visited. Her website is www.annalouoflondon.com if you want to see for yourself.

I also was fortunate enough to spend some time with my old distributors, Lisa and Dev of Ruby Rou - Dev has an exciting new job working with a London ready-to-wear designer named Olivia Rubin (www.oliviarubinlondon.com )- and Lisa is now working on boutique hotel renovations, and just completed a total remodel of a hotel in central London - both ladies doing amazingly well for themselves!

I attached some pix of the trip - enjoy!

Anna Lou's Store in Soho

Portia and I inside the store

Portia and I with the Ruby Rou girls, Dev and Lisa

Portia and I with Abby of Red Magazine

Me, last day in London

Crazy depths of the London Underground