If you’re having the same old problems as me a stiff body, insomnia and a busy mind chattering away then check out Boston based yoga teacher Bo Forbes who is teaching a series of workshops from 24th May – 29th May at triyoga in London which will change how you move, breathe and value your body.

Her workshops help people learn more about how yoga and her innovative and life- enhancing method Integrative Yoga Therapeutics helps people achieve their best level of physical and mental health yet. Bo address’s many common ailments which are brought on by busy modern living including insomnia, tight shoulders, anxiety and depression.

Her innovative talks and yoga classes allow you to learn more about how yoga creates change in the body and also the positive impact of meditation on the body and mind. With workshops that focus specifically onthe importance of the neck and shoulder and how this area is the key to emotional good health to importance of the spine as it houses your nervous system.

Expect in-depth learning, extensive discussion and yoga movement and adjustment. You can mix and match the workshops that are most relevant to you or you can attend all workshops. Book early as it’s sure to be oversubscribed.

For details on each workshop visit www.triyoga.co.uk or call 0207 483 3344.

As a financial expert, I have been reading with interest the debate on diamond investing and I am pondering whether this could be the Diamond Decade in much the same way the last decade could be said to be the Gold Decade.

The diamonds market certainly looks very positive:

• Demand is growing strongly as many more people in Asia and emerging markets create and accumulate greater wealth than ever before.

• The quantity of natural diamonds is limited and there has not been any new discoveries.

• High profile buyers have been paying eye watering prices – in 2008, Lawrence Graff paid a record $24.3m for the 35.56ct Wittelsbach blue diamond. Last year, he bought a 24.78ct pink diamond for $46m!

• Rough and polished diamonds prices hit records levels last year – top quality 5ct gem prices rose to $150k from $100-120k a year earlier.

• Diamonds are the last uncommoditised commodity and a number of players are working hard to change this – including Harry Winston who is working with a Swiss asset management company to create a $250m fund.

So if you do want to add some sparkle to your investment portfolio, what should you do?

Find an expert – as in any industry, there are experts who know the markets inside and out and who can help individual to source and buy good quality diamonds. Unfortunately, there is no easy directory of these experts and it’s a case of who you know!

Networks – as diamonds become a commodity, companies are springing up to meet the demand. Companies such as The Rapport Group has created a diamond price guide, it publishes news and guidance and provides a network of diamond buyers and sellers. It can help individual put together portfolios for individuals and charges 5-10% commission.

Professional funds – there are a small number of funds that invest in diamonds such as Diamond Circle Capital fund that invests in a portfolio of diamonds valued at $1m or more. Launched in 2007, the fund has featured in many press articles recently – however, it’s trading at c$4.20 a share down from a high of $10 in 2008!

Alternatively, you can become a DIY investor if you have the time and inclination. Here are some tips from the experts.

THE DO’S AND DONT’S OF DIAMONDS

Buy a cut and polished diamond as opposed to a rough diamond.

Stay clear of retail jewellers and buy straight from wholesale dealers – Antwerp has the biggest diamond market.

Buy only diamonds certified by the best Diamond Laboratories such as the Diamond High Council and International Gemmological Institute.

Ask for references – many dealers will happily provide these.

Buy with a lifetime buyback guarantee – many wholesale traders will offer these guarantees on their polished diamonds. This ensure liquidity should you need to sell your investment.

And if the above sounds all too much, then buy diamond in a piece of jewellery you know you will love and wear. As Kiki McDonough, the Chelsea jeweller whose clients include the Duchess of Cambridge recently said “a good diamond jewellery investment is when your wife wears the piece every day for four years”.

Well, on that basis the diamond earnings my husband bought in Hatton Garden some 10 years has been a great investment and the diamond necklace I bought myself has been appalling value as I have worn it once!

So ladies be aware, don’t buy in haste, don’t buy it because it’s the latest investment fad – buy it because you will love to wear it or because it’s an unemotional investment and your financial or diamond adviser says it’s a good buy!

Anna Sofat is widely-regarded finance expert and the founder and director of Addidi, the wealth management company. She graduated from Hull University and has a Masters Degree from London School of Economics. As well as advising private members on their wealth, Anna contributes to trade and national press and has appeared in national press, TV and radio.

www.addidi.com

Images featured of Harry Winston’s Ultimate Adornments – the largest and most significant design-driven collection to date. The incredible array of spectacular designs is inspired by the world’s national costumes and envisions the art of dressing a woman. In creating this exceptional collection, the Harry Winston Design Team returned to the archives for inspiration, including the works of Ambaji V. Shinde, Mr Winston’s chief jewellery designer for more than 40 years (1962-2001). Hand crafted entirely in diamonds and platinum, the 40-piece collection is presented through seven distinctly different themes, each recalling unique adornments from around the world. www.harrywinston.com

Lana grew up in Siberia and worked for 9 years as a successful model for clients in Russia such as BMW, before she settled down in LA to focus on pursuing her dream of fashion design. It was here she met her future husband “Days of our Lives” (NBC) actor Richard Raynesford.

Lana and her husband decided to relocate to England in order to pursue career opportunities in London and to raise a family. At this time Lana continued her studies at the renown Central Saint Martins College whilst working part-time with Hardy Amies as a design assistant.

After the birth of her daughter Katerina, Lana found it a challenge to find quality nightwear for her toddler.

“After a long research I realized that there was not much of a choice” she explains. “Even the organic brands I eventually found had only pieces for newborns or they sold cheaply made low quality pyjamas -after the first wash you could literally throw them away!”

Lana decided then and there to concentrate her efforts on finding the best organic materials available on the market and the first pair of Catiouche pyjamas was born.

Lana has set her sights on building Catiouche and transforming the nightwear market for children by changing people’s attitudes towards pyjamas.

“Children spend half their lives wearing them and parents should recognize their responsibility in providing them with a quality garment next to their skin.”

So what does it take to pursue your dream and turn it into a business?

We invited Lana to share her female wisdom and the lessons she has learnt so far.

What challenges have you faced and how did you overcome them?

Having no experience in running my own business I had to learn everything from scratch. I soon realized that the business world is full of ruthless people-not soon enough unfortunately … But gradually I learned from my mistakes and moved forward after every knockdown.

What is special about Catiouche and why?

Quality and an unique concept based on characters from the Catiouche bedtime story* ( printed on the duvets ** ) and hand drawn illustrations which find their way on to the garments all manufactured in Europe with an educational message.

How did you set about creating your first range?

After creating a mood board with things that inspire me I then started to do my sketches which grow into my first collection.

What is the biggest lesson you have learnt?

Check the small print!

What are you most proud of?

That I never gave up on my dream.

Is there anything you would do differently if you had the chance?

No, there is no point in dwelling on the past. Without the journey I had Catiouche would not have evolved the way it has.

How do you balance life as a businesswoman and a mother?

It’s not easy but I just do it by somehow finding the time for both.

What advice would you give to women who want to follow in your footsteps?

Follow your dream but you need to be absolutely passionate about it and committed to it, with a clear vision! Plus, you must never ever give up.

For more information visit www.catiouche.com

* The story is written by acclaimed novelist Santa Montefiore.
** One of the duvets was sold at an auction in Russia for € 5,000 . Catiouche donated the money for the charity, supported by world – renowned classical pianist Denis Leonidovich Matsuev.

Vania’s work experience began at Graff Diamonds on London’s Bond Street where she gained invaluable experience sourcing fine high-end jewellery for an exclusive clientele. Working with such valuable pieces gave her a keen eye for identifying and appreciating the rarest and most beautiful diamonds and gemstones in the world. She next brought her expertise to De Beers where she created bespoke jewellery and sourced fine investment-purpose diamonds for many clients, including Royals.

Vania was then invited to join the Jewellery Department team at Sotheby’s where she oversaw and participated in the auctioning of some of the world’s most prestigious diamond and gemstone pieces, including the sale of the magnificent jewels of the Duchess of Windsor. Having worked both creatively and commercially for three of London’s most prestigious companies, Vania went on to launch VanLeles Diamonds, a luxury company that sources diamonds and creates unique bespoke jewellery for special occasions. “Being the Founder and Creative Director, I am deeply involved in everything at VLD” she says, “from advising clients, sourcing the diamonds from the diamond houses, to designing the jewellery to match the client’s dreams. It means long hours but you don’t keep track when you love what you do.”

We invited Vania to share her female wisdom and story so far.

How did you get to where you are now and why did you choose this career?

It all steamed by pure passion for fine jewellery and diamonds at an early age. When you love something it always stays in your mind.

I’ve always dreamt of running a bespoke diamond jewellery firm, but it has taken me many years of apprenticeship and dedication to make my dream come true. The people I have met and my time at Graff, De Beers and Sotheby’s have been invaluable for my career.

What is involved in your typical day?

My day starts at 7.30am with a quick jog followed by a strong coffee and getting up to speed on my trusted Mac Book Air. I then make my way to the workshop where I check in with our master craftsmen to review progress. I normally have my first client appointments by 11am in our Belgravia studio. I spend the rest of the day with clients, showing them a selection of the diamonds we’ve sourced that week and sketching jewellery that reflect our clients’ wishes.

What is the best thing about your job?

I actually love every aspect of my job – from sourcing rare, precious and ethical diamonds, to spending time with our clients to get the design absolutely perfect, to the pride of being able to deliver a true masterpiece piece of jewellery. I love to be able to exceed our clients’ expectations, on the amazing beauty of our products and on the great value we offer.

What challenges have you faced and how did you overcome them?

Being an entrepreneur is hugely rewarding but also hard work when you haven’t built a company before. Thankfully, I was surrounded by highly experienced entrepreneurs who have been extremely helpful in turning VLD into reality.

It is also not easy breaking into the diamond jewellery business, let alone if you are a woman. The diamond business is entirely dominated by men and relationships that often span generations. However, by becoming a diamond expert, having spent almost a decade building relationships at the bourse and not taking no for answer, I’ve managed to build a trusted relationship with many wonderful people at the diamond houses in London, New York, Tel Aviv and Antwerp.

Connecting and sharing my story with different people have also been inspiring. Gives you strength to carry on.

Could you share any great stories behind diamond rings you have created, i.e. a big proposal?

I have a very treasured client in France, who recently bought a diamond from VanLeles and we created a beautiful bespoke engagement ring. He then flew with his girlfriend to the Maldives to propose to her, but had forgotten the ring at our studio. Fortunately I managed to have it delivered to our client at his hotel on time and she said ‘yes’.

What is the most popular request?

Round brilliant diamonds and Timeless Grace engagement rings are really popular both with London-based and international clients. Also round brilliant diamond stud earrings are in frequent demand. Both are classic, timeless and loved by women of all ages.

What is the most unusual request?

About half of our clients are looking for bespoke designs, often one-off personalized designs. We are beginning to see more requests by men such as for diamond shirt studs and diamond cufflinks.

Does size really matter?

Absolutely not! Diamonds are wonders of nature and their beauty should not be judged by size alone.

We look carefully for diamonds with an exceptional cut grade that brings out the full beauty and sparkle of the gem. Diamond clarity and colour are also very important for a diamond’s beauty however; every client’s needs and tastes are different. Some clients value very large diamonds, others value more colour and clarity, other clients are more concerned with price.

My recommendation is always to buy diamonds with your heart, fall in love with the one you decide to buy, as no two diamonds are ever the same.

People used to say you should spend three times your monthly salary on an engagement ring, do you find this to be the case? What is the trend on spend nowadays? How do you know how much you want to pay or should spend?

This is an important question and one that men often worry about. My answer is always that this no longer applies as a rule of thumb. First of all men are much more creative and confident when it comes to engagement rings; some go for beautiful eternity diamond rings and others go for elaborate solitaries with diamond micro-pave settings, such as the VanLeles Timeless Grace solitaires.

We advise them to buy responsibly and to do some research before buying. So whatever our clients choose, we help them get the absolutely the best prices in the market.

Diamonds are not just about waiting for a man to give you one. Is there a trend for women, who are now more independent and successful, buying their own diamonds as a treat or investment for themselves?

Oh most definitely yes! Many of our best clients are career women that love fine jewels and fashion. We also have female clients that buy diamond jewellery as gifts for their husbands and children. We love to see independent and successful women wearing VanLeles Diamonds jewellery.

Are there specific diamonds for different occasions? Could you describe the different kinds of diamonds you have available? Do they each have a meaning?

We have all diamond shapes, sizes and colours. This is one of the many the aspects I love about diamonds; every diamond will have a great emotional value to its owner. Some choose classic diamond jewellery because it symbolizes timeless elegance, while others choose more flamboyant designs to express their personal taste in fashion.

We source and design jewellery that creates a deep emotional bond with the owner weather they are buying to celebrate a wedding anniversary, birth of a child, getting engage or for investment purposes.

Responding to your question about diamonds for occasions, the wearer is the only one who should decide on this aspect. Obviously there is jewellery for different occasions and I have seeing a client playing golf with a 20 carats yellow diamond…and that was just her casual jewellery.

What advice would you give to anyone wishing to follow in your footsteps?

The diamond – and fine jewellery industry isn’t a bed of roses. It take years of hard work to both learn the trade, building essential relationships and to develop a luxury brand. There are very few start ups that succeed in this space so you will need talent, dedication and luck to realize your dream. I am grateful for what I have achieved to date and will continue to build my dream for years to come. It requires careful business planning, graciousness in dealing with people of all walks of life and most importantly believe in yourself.

How do you design the perfect ring?

The perfect ring is all about the wearer. My greatest source of inspiration is the client so it’s important to listen and understand the client, their life style and how the client is going to use the jewel and for what occasion. Close collaboration during the designing process and creation of bespoke jewellery are key to success.

Visit by appointment only.
2 Eaton Gate, Belgravia, London, SW1W 9BJ
Telephone: +44 (0) 7967 451 231
Email: info@VanLeles.com

www.vanleles.com

Tania travels the world styling clients including Justin Lee Collins, Alan Sugar, Marks and Spencer, Laura Ashley and many more famous names. Here she shares her  journey so far and what it really takes to be a successful stylist.

Photographer: Marc Lecreul

Photographer: Steven Jackson

Could you describe your job and what it entails?

As a fashion stylist my job is extremely varied. Depending on the client, jobs can range from still shoots to commercials and television. Generally after receiving a brief, I use a couple of days prep, which involves buying or hiring wardrobe and sometimes borrowing from PR companies to create the look ready for the shoot.

How did you get to where you are now and why did you choose this career

Trained as a fashion designer, I had my own label making wedding dresses and evening wear. After having pieces featured in magazines I started helping with the styling and it just took off from there.

What is involved in your typical day?

I am very lucky with my work as there is no such thing as a typical day. I can be dressing Alan Sugar for the BBC one day, organizing costume for 25 school kids for a Roses honey commercial another day, then shooting Usain Bolt for Puma the next.

What is the best thing about your job? Where has your job taken you around the world?

The best thing about my work is the variety, all the different people I meet with it and the variety of locations that I get to meet them in. Work has taken me to New York, Miami, Morocco, The Caribbean and the list goes on.

What challenges did you face and how did you overcome them?

It can be challenging at times with clients changing their mind at the last minute. You have to be prepared for things not working on the day and have back ups.  If a blouse and skirt isn’t working for a client’s handbag for example, I always have several other options to change the look at a moments notice.
Photographer: Marc Rogoff

Who is the most interesting individual you have styled?

One of the most interesting shoots recently was for River Monsters when I had the opportunity to talk at length to the star Jeremy Wade. He has been to some amazing places around the world and seen some incredible creatures.  We had to recreate a photo that had been taken in New Zealand of him grappling with a giant eel!

What advice would you give to anyone wishing to follow in your footsteps?

My advice to anyone wanting to follow a career in fashion styling is to assist as much as possible. It’s the fastest way to gain experience as well as, of course, by far the best way to build up your vital list of contacts.

Photographer: Marc Rogoff

Photographer: Steven Jackson

www.tania.bs

The feedback from The Industry members has been phenomenal and though Tom had been a client of my consultancy www.francescard.com for the last couple of years I certainly learnt several new things about him and the business.

Frances Card interviews Tom Chapman, Matches Founder

The Industry at SWAROVSKI CRYSTALLIZED™

To view photos from the event join us on FACEBOOK.

Frances Card, Shelley von Strunckel, Alex Bergholz-Gander

The Sorority was pleased to gather our inspiring women and their guests for an evening of Power and Style in the Aquarian Age. Shelley gave a rare address to guests as she spoke about the evolution of female power and how a new age of Aquarius will influence our roles and our futures, with the opportunity to meet Shelley and exchange ideas and queries about the roles of women and the power that lies within ourselves that is available to us all.

We chatted and sipped champagne in the glamorous surroundings of the gorgeous Donna Karan boutique, known for its effortless style and fabulous range that dresses women for all occasions.

The fabulous Frances Card presented the evening and interviewed guests for Sorority TV which can be watched here.

Power and style? Absolutely.

WATCH THE VIDEO

Lisa Tse and Huda

Lisa Tse and baby Oscar, Vanessa Knox, Nahid de Belgeonne

The business of branding has been a continually morphing concept that remains pivotal in the establishment and ongoing success of a new business.

We hear this term “branding” thrown around constantly in professional discussions yet few small businesses and start ups seriously consider the impact and long term value of establishing a solid brand foundation for their business in the early years.

Branding is not just for big businesses. The stronger your brand, the greater your customer loyalty. It’s not a dirty word reserved for depthless consumerists. Whether you intend to or not, by virtue of existence you are putting a message out there. Establishing a strong brand means having a clearly identifiable presence in the marketplace that offers a unique experience to your target market.

So if you are launching a new business, or thinking about it, here are a few key practical tips to ensuring you are on the road to building a successful brand.

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

The name of your business is absolutely critical. Often people launching a new business create a name that has personal meaning to them, which is fine IF it serves the best interest of your business. A poorly chosen name can impact the development of a business or worse, turn away clients and customers because they have misunderstood your company and cannot grasp what you do.

Some key things to ask yourself are:

• Is your business name easy to remember and spell?

• Are the website addresses available for your chosen name?

• Does your name reflect the nature of your business? If not, consider a tag line to accompany the business name ( I.e Arabella – Freshly Delivered Flowers)

• If your business is likely to appear in Listings consider whether you want to be at the beginning or end of the alphabet

• If the business will be international- does the name translate well in other languages and regions?

• If you intend to branch out into other fields under the same name, consider how the brand extensions will work ( I.e Arabella Flowers, Arabella Gifts, Arabella Events)

YOUR BRAND IDENTITY

Whether you choose to create this yourself or hire a professional, all businesses present a form of identity to their audience. The extent to which you wish to control and shape that impression is up to you.

This much more than just a logo. From the first moment someone engages with your business, whether that is a phone call, website visit or reading a brochure, they would have made a judgement about your business. That first impression only takes seconds but is difficult to reverse once formed.

I often explain to my clients that if you imagine your business is mingling at a party, what do you want people to be saying about you afterwards? It might be the sparking conversation, killer outfit or impressive credentials. Whatever it is, you have made a first impression.

So, for many businesses, it is important to manage your brand’s identity and to ensure it works hard for you and your business.

So what does this involve?

It can be the smallest detail, from the way your business cards look to what your website portrays. The key thing here is CONSISTENCY AND SYNCHRONICITY.

It is no good having your right arm doing something completely different to your left arm.

All your brand touchpoints should work harmoniously to mutually reinforce the same values and message. Think about what values your business wants to reflect and what you want to be known for and then devise a strategic plan to enforce this message.

Key things to consider are:

• What is the core message of your company?

• What values do you want to be associated with?

• Who might you be compared to and how will you set yourself apart?

EMAIL SIGNATURE

Every busy professional woman will be sending hundreds of emails out every week. Email signatures are a wonderful place to promote your business and it is completely free!

You can create an email signature that represents your company, whether that is a logo and imagery, or just links to your website, latest news bulletins or Twitter and Facebook links ( more on this later).

WEBSITE

The digital space is continually transforming so it can be hard to keep track with what you should and shouldn’t be doing.

It is one of the biggest and most important investments to a new business. A website is a 24 hour international shop window for your business which can be harnessed to support and grow your enterprise.

Done correctly, it is a huge asset to a business.

So what should you be looking out for?

• The design and functionality of the website is key. How it works and represents your company is vital. If your website looks unprofessional, is confusing or difficult to use, you will create a poor brand experience for the audience that is damaging to the business. It is far better to have no website than a poorly constructed one.

• A picture is worth a thousand words. Engage your audience with a visual feast. Commission your own photo shoot or buy imagery online that best reflects your business.

• Have strong Call-To-Actions on your website. Define key objectives for the site ( I.e buying products, email signups, contacting you) and then ensure the site is designed to amplify these actions.

• Consider the written content and tone of voice to reflect your brand position. Are you informal, inviting, formal, authoritative?

• Keep written content to a minimum unless great detail is required for the business ( I.e online encyclopedias). Large amounts of copy are difficult to read and you will lose the reader’s interest. Similar to the concept of an elevator pitch, you should capture the heart of what your business is about without having to write an essay about it.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Everyone is on Twitter and Facebook these days, but should your business be? Social media platforms can be a wonderful way to promote your business, but they are not traditional marketing platforms.

It is no good creating a Twitter feed or Facebook page that just shouts about how great your business is. Social media is precisely that – it has to be social.

Twitter and Facebook are wonderful platforms for a brand to enter into a dialogue with your potential customers and clients and engage them with your company.

Remember to:

• Find out what’s on their mind, what they respond to, what they love about your business and what else they want to see.

• Incentivise followers and fans by introducing promotions and rewards to those that engage with you.

Once you have your key brand elements in place, you will have a core blueprint upon which to build a strong brand and business, providing an engaging and rewarding experience that will keep customers coming back for more time and time again.

Lisa Tse is CEO of brand agency Lisa Tse Ltd www.lisatse.com

Prestat Dark Chocolate Fierry Chilli Cool Lime Wafers

Based on an award-winning recipe and Aztecs favourite chilli and chocolate combination, these intensely dark chocolate wafers are infused with chilli and balanced with cool lime. Prestat chocolates were “adored” by Roald Dhal and featured in his novels. They come with a Royal warrant as purveyors of chocolate and have been enjoyed by royalty and nobility for over a century. If you are after a sheer intense chocolate indulgence, look no further!

www.prestat.co.uk

Organic Booja Booja Raspberry Truffles

Crafted using the finest ingredients, organic, dark raw Ecuadorian chocolate, cold-pressed coconut oil, freeze-dried raspberries and raw agave syrup, these truffles ooze quality, luxury and decadence. They are packed full of nutrients due to their 100% raw cocoa content. So, absolutely delicious and good for you too!

www.therawchocolateshop.com

Green & Black’s Luxury Dark Easter Egg

Presented in a beautiful gift box, this chocolate egg is made from organic, quality Tinitario cocoa beans. The combination of cocoa mass and cocoa butter give this chocolate a bittersweet, luxurious feel and lets it melt beautifully in the mouth. Dark chocolate is high in flavonoids, antioxidants, which counteract the effects of stress and aging. The egg comes accompanied with two tantalising bars, Dark with Ginger and Dark with Burnt Toffee. Deliciously intense, this sure is a gift you want to unwrap and indulge in!

www.greenandblacksdirect.com

Make Your Own Healthy Chocolate Treats

Easily done and packed full of superfood ingredients and nutrients for your body. This is a refreshing and healthy way to enjoy chocolate. Mix five tablespoons of organic, raw cocoa powder, raw coconut oil, organic goji berries, organic desiccated coconut, whey powder, some raw agave syrup and water until thoroughly blended. Place the mixture into Easter egg moulds and refrigerate. Enjoy them chilled to make the flavour last longer in your mouth!

Have a happy, healthy and delicious Easter!

Akcelina Cvijetic is a Harley Street Ultimate Wellbeing Specialist who offers people the ultimate wellbeing experience through nutrition, life coaching and hypnotherapy. For more information visit www.akcelina.com