TRAVEL BLOG: Orelia Visits Seoul & China

This November, our buying team - Emma (Head of Buying) and Lorna (Junior Buyer) - packed their suitcases and set off with our Founder, Collette, for a whirlwind adventure across Seoul and China. The mission: meet our incredible makers, scout upcoming trends, and gather inspiration for future collections. But of course… it wasn’t all business. Between coffee stops, cultural discoveries, and about a million cute moments, this trip delivered everything from pandas to the Great Wall.

Keep scrolling to hear about the behind-the-scenes moments from their adventure.

Meeting Our Makers!

Our first stop: a brilliant meeting with our amazing jewellery makers. It’s always such a joy seeing the craftsmanship and creativity behind the pieces you’ll soon be wearing. We even got a sneak peek at some of the gorgeous jewellery you’ll find in our Autumn collections next year - trust us, you’re going to love what’s coming.

Waiting for us at the studio? The prettiest arrangement of flowers, setting the tone for a colourful, sparkling day. And while we were all about jewellery, we couldn’t ignore the charm of Seoul’s quirks… including a Labubu in Miu Miu. How cute?! We couldn’t resist snapping a pic.

Coffee, K-style

Seoul is famous for its cafés, and of course we indulged. One coffee shop served the most divine real vanilla latte - so good that we’re still dreaming about it. We also couldn’t stop wondering… what was that hat doing in the tree outside? Seoul never fails to surprise.

Meanwhile, Lorna and Emma could be found eagerly waiting for their caffeine fix - priorities!

Snacks, Seoul-style

One word: fried chicken.
Another word: YUM.
And because Seoul is wonderfully practical, the restaurant even offered gloves so we wouldn’t get our fingers greasy. Genius… and also hilarious.

We also squeezed in a trip to Namsan Tower. The perfect way to say goodbye to Seoul before hopping over to China.

CHINA ADVENTURES

Next stop: China - where the itinerary was equal parts “wow” and “can-you-believe-we’re-here?”

The Great Wall

A bucket-list moment for all of us.
Walking along the Great Wall was completely awe-inspiring - majestic, vast, and very chilly. We huddled together for a group photo, bundled up as the wind whipped across the mountains.

Along the way, we even spotted a “Cat in the Wall, on the Wall.” Truly - there were cats everywhere, living their best Great Wall life.

And yes… the Tote on Tour made its appearance too. I couldn’t resist capturing the tote’s moment of glory perched proudly on the ancient stones.

Unexpected Cuties

Imagine elegant girls cycling by in traditional Chinese dresses - yes, it actually happened, and we have the video clip to prove it.

Then came the ultimate cute overload: pandas.

Even better? A panda latte. Almost too adorable to drink… almost.

Cultural Moments

We took time to explore the breathtaking Summer Palace in Beijing - a huge, serene complex surrounded by shimmering lakes and beautiful grounds.

From there, we wandered through Wudaoying Hutong, a traditional narrow street lined with tiny shops, artisan boutiques, and charming residences. The atmosphere was a blend of old Beijing and modern creativity.

Inside the hutong’s stylish cafés and eateries, we browsed cool craft stores, sampled treats, and even made a new furry friend - spot the tiny dog in the coffee shop photo!

A Trip To Remeber

From meaningful meetings with our makers to unexpected moments of joy (pandas! tree hats! wall cats!), this buying trip was filled with inspiration, adventure, and excitement. 

We can't wait to bring the creativity and cultural richness we experienced straight into our upcoming collections.

Stay tuned… big things are coming! ✨

Love, Collette, Emma & Lorna xxx