DID you hear about the swarm of bees that descended on a branch of Topshop a couple of summers ago, trapping customers inside?
Sounds pretty terrifying, doesn't it? But the bees that have landed on the high street this year are far friendlier, being of the clothing and jewellery variety, plus the humble honeybee has flown into the upper echelons of fashion thanks to tastemaker du jour, Gucci's Alessandro Michele.
From miniature prints to larger-than-life embellishments, these are the season's most bee-utiful pieces...
ALESSANDRO'S OBSESSION
Gucci creative director Alessandro Michele has always had a menagerie's worth of creatures and creepy-crawlies on his catwalks - and now he's gone bee mad, printing them on bags and hats, embroidering them on espadrilles and reimagining them in fierce red and black stripes for his SS16 menswear show.
Even baby clothes have been bugged out, with little pink and blue baby-grows getting a smattering of the honey-makers alongside a sweet smiling cat.
:: Gucci Alejandro Striped Canvas Espadrilles, £275 (www.selfridges.com)
:: Gucci Cats & Bees Cotton Baby-grow, £110 (www.selfridges.com)
THE BEES' NEEDS
J.Crew has picked up on the Gucci vibe, with little colourful bee embellishments lending a whimsical feel to crisp blue shirts and fine gauge cream sweaters.
The American retailer also has a range of bee-print tees and socks, from which 50 per cent of the retail price goes to insect conservation charities – bee populations are falling as the abundance of wildflowers declines, so they need all the help they can get.
:: J.Crew Perfect Shirt with Bee Embellishment, £98 (www.jcrew.com)
:: J.Crew Women's for the Xerces Society Save the Bees T-shirt, £45 (www.jcrew.com)
HINT OF HIVE
If 3D bees aren't your thing, try adding a hint of the hive to your outfit with a pollinator print scarf.
Or take a styling tip from the catwalk by teaming metallic sandals with socks in a contrasting hue – pink sandals and maroon socks make a cool combo.
:: M&Co Bumble Bee Print Scarf, £10 (www.mandco.com)
:: White Stuff Queenie the Bee Socks, £5 (www.whitestuff.com)
ALEX'S APIARY
You could say that South London-based jeweller Alex Monroe pollinated the bee jewellery trend, having launched his now iconic bumblebee necklaces in 2008, when he set out to immortalise an ailing bee his children found in their garden.
New this year, Monroe's Buckingham Palace collaboration features a locket emblazoned with a bee, inspired by the beehives found on an island in the middle of the palace's lake.
:: Alex Monroe Gold Plate Bumblebee Necklace, £150 (www.alexmonroe.com)
:: Alex Monroe Sterling Silver Music Room Locket, £330 (www.alexmonroe.com)
BILL'S BEES
After a career crafting jewellery for famous brands and fashion houses, Bill Skinner started his own line in 2012, with chunky gold-plated honeycomb rings and beautiful bangles featuring anatomically accurate bees.
The creature-obsessed designer has now expanded to rose gold and silver, plus more delicate pieces like tiny bee rings, ideal for stacking.
:: Bill Skinner Bee & Honeycomb Rose Gold Pendant, currently reduced to £44 from £55 (www.billskinnerstudio.com)
:: Bill Skinner Mini Floral & Bee Ring, £20 (www.billskinnerstudio.com)
THE QUEEN BEE
Part of the Kew Bugs collection, London Road's nine carat gold pendant with black diamond eyes is a real queen bee, and thanks to its textured rhodium wings, each creation is unique.
:: London Road Gold Black Diamond Bumble Bee Bug Pendant, £294.99 (www.londonroadjewellery.com)
DAISY'S BUNCH
Perfect for mixing and matching with other chains, bracelets or earrings, the Daisy London bee collection comprises more than a dozen sweet pieces in gold plate and sterling silver, with prices starting at £35 for a ring.
:: Daisy London Bee Bracelet, £75 (www.daisyjewellery.com)
:: Daisy London Bee Stud Earrings, £65 (www.daisyjewellery.com)
TO BEE OR NOT TO BEE?
We wouldn't want to drone on about it, but who doesn't love a bee pun?
Venessa Arizaga's beaded friendship bracelets feature such classics as 'cruel to bee kind' and 'bee mine'. Why not buy one for your favourite honey?
:: Venessa Arizaga Bee Mine Ceramic Bracelet, £35.95 (www.selfridges.com)
GET THE LOOK
Radio DJ Lilah Parsons was repping for the high street at the Revlon Choose Love Masquerade Ball in a cool monochrome Coast prom dress. Lilah's style is now sold out, but the just-as-cool Bardot neckline Katey Stripe Dress, £159, is still in stores (www.coast-stores.com).
BUY IT NOW
Charity shopping bags are often made of flimsy fabric, but Fiorelli's latest philanthropic collection is of the keep-forever kind. Designer Savannah Miller, CEO Amanda Ross and presenters Mary Nightingale and Pollyanna Woodward have each collaborated with the accessories brand on a handbag, with 50 per cent of profits going to Wellbeing of Women, the charity dedicated to improving the health of women and babies in the UK.
:: Fiorelli for Wellbeing of Women Mary Nightingale Bag, £69 (available August 1; www.fiorelli.com).
FASHION FLASH
:: POSE WITH PRIDE
It's almost impossible to escape the onslaught of celebrity bikini selfies online at the moment, but a survey by JD Williams reveals that just 4 per cent of women over 50 feel confident enough to post a swimwear pic on social media. In response, the retailer has unveiled a campaign fronted by former Sports Illustrated model Nicola Griffin, aged 56, and former top model Jilly Johnson (62), and is encouraging women of all shapes, sizes and ages to proudly post their own summer snaps using #MyBikiniSelfie. Go on, don't be shy!
:: RAIN COMES DOWN, SALES GO UP
The downpours that plagued the UK in June were a source of anger and disappointment for most of us, but for Fulton Umbrellas, the wet weather was a blessing, as sales shot up by 120 per cent since the same time last year, meaning the company had its most successful month since it was founded – in 1956!
STYLE STEAL
The moody blue colour palette, natural print and classic cut of the Florence Bridge Woodcut Indigo Mini Dress mean it'll be perennially in style, and it's now just £100, reduced from £165 (www.florencebridge.com).
