Astley Clarke Success Defies Recession With a 30% Increase in Turnover

LONDON, February 19, 2010 - Sales:

Award Winning Luxury Online Jewellery Brand Astley Clarke has
defied the downward turn in the economy with a 30% increase in turnover at
Christmas last year.

A surge in sales from the female self-purchase and male gift
market saw a 39% rise in own label fine jewellery sales during the second
half of last year - this trend has continued as the brand announced a 63%
like for like rise in January 10. The re-launch of its Second Generation
Website and West London Showroom in October 09 also helped to increase sales
and brand awareness in the lead up to the Christmas trading period.

Recent Appointments:

A new, yet highly experienced in-house team in design,
marketing, PR and logistics has helped to solidify expansion plans: Lorna
Watson joins as Creative Director (Lorna is regarded as one of the most
experienced designers in her field having worked for such brands as Faberge,
De Beers and Dior) to expand the development of own label collections and to
source new and exciting jewellery talent. Mimma Vigelzio - Former Executive
Vice President of Global Communications Gucci Group has been appointed to the
board and will act as a freelancer adviser in regard to brand development.

"Astley Clarke is an extremely exciting and energetic brand
with a bright future. It is so refreshing to be involved with a team who are
doing something different and have a vision and desire to be the best in
their field. Bec Clarke is an inspirational entrepreneur who has recognised a
gap in the market for luxury jewellery online."

Mimma Viglezi

Investment

Bec Clarke founded AstleyClarke.com in 2006, it currently has
80,000 unique visitors a month - however, this figure is estimated to
increase by at least 50% during the second half of this year. Bec oversaw an
investment of GBP2.75m by Europe's biggest VC firm; Index Ventures in May,
2008 - board members include Danny Rimer, Mark Esiri - Ex Chairman Smythson
and Robin Klein of Agent Provocateur - additional investments by Index
include Skype and Love Film.com.

Winner of Best Luxury Brand Online

Astley Clarke has pioneered the development of online luxury
jewellery and is now noted by industry experts as a leader in its field.
Judges including Natalie Massenet of Net a Porter, Brent Hoberman of
MyDeco.com and Peter Fitzgerald of Google recently voted Astley Clarke 'Best
Luxury Brand Online' at the annual luxury Walpole Awards. Judges unanimously
agreed that AstleyClarke.com has shown innovation through the use of online
technology and marketing, achieving outstanding sales results and a luxury
presence online in 2009. The brand beat competition from Anya Hindmarch,
Cartier, Hackett, Mulberry and Louis Vuitton to win the award.

Marketing and PR

Marketing and PR continue to grow from strength to strength - as
interest picks up in international markets VIP's and celebrities follow suit.
Sarah Brown is an avid supporter for both private and public occasions and
exclusively chose to wear Astley Clarke Jewellery to G20 Summit, White House
visit and the Obama's visit to the UK. Other high profile supporters include
Nicole Kidman, JK Rowling, Amanda Seyfried (Mama Mia fame) and Cheryl Cole.

"Recognising a gap in the market for online luxury,
AstleyClarke.com is a pioneer in changing the way that luxury consumers shop
for jewellery online. Combined with a return to old-fashioned customer
service of the highest standard, AstleyClarke.com has carved a unique niche
for itself; moving away from the mass approach to luxury that many big names
have fallen victim to. I am very pleased with our success to date - we have a
very exciting twelve months planned for further development."

Bec Clarke - Founder and Managing Director

For further information, high res images, or to view the collections;
please contact:

Nina Wagstaff, Head of PR at Nina@AstleyClarke.com or Lucy Paton, PR
Manager at Lucy@AstleyClarke.com Tel: +44(0)845-680-6848

For further information, high res images, or to view the collections; please contact:
Nina Wagstaff, Head of PR at Nina at AstleyClarke.com or Lucy Paton, PR Manager at Lucy at AstleyClarke.com Tel: +44(0)845-680-6848