I mentioned last week that I was getting a compact-sized Filofax Violet Temperley. I accidentally ordered a Pocket and because it was a gift and I didn’t have the credit card details, had to cancel and reorder yesterday. Well, it arrived this morning (what service!). The Swedish postal service texts you to let you know you have a parcel waiting instantly as it arrives so you get them really quickly!
So, here come some photos and first impressions:
I liked the box – sturdy as all the Filofax boxes are with ice-gold Temperley ‘signage’ on it.Next, the inside packaging. I think it should have had a matching dustbag. They would cost Filofax next to nothing, they add instant luxury and I have two from my Sienas so they are not unused to the concept.Nice ice-gold engraved button. Remains to be seen how durable and practical it is.This looks and feels really nice. I would have preferred a metal zipper or one with a more fancy personalised pull tag but it’s quite okay really – at least it was not the ugly bog-standard cheap-looking zipper pull they tend to use.This looks and feels really nice. I would have preferred a metal zipper or one with a more fancy personalised pull tag but it’s quite okay really – at least it was not the ugly bog-standard cheap-looking zipper pull they tend to use. The pocket could have used an extra seam to allow it to be opened wider. It is very tight so not useable for coins.The rings are a really lovely ice-gold. I love gold rings on Filofaxes and think they should be a standard option. My Sienas have gold ones but they are more yellow-gold. These ones are a gorgeous blend of gold and silver. But as you can see from my toe (sorry for those people who hate feet but my hands were occupied by the camera and this baby did not want to lay flat) – flat it’s not. Not right out of the box, and I would be guessing not without rigorous training either. The inside lining looks to be corded cotton with matching stitching (very well done), though at this price point I would have preferred leather. Very nice gold lettering here and a pretty card holder design – though I would have preferred more card slots to enable this filo to be used as a wallet as well.Here is the inside right hand cover’s back flap. Not sure if this will affect writing ability or if it will create a bump but I am left handed and used to awkward writing on left side ‘bumps’. This will be nice for receipts or coins as it opens nice and wide. Behind it is a slip pocket that would fit notes (as in money): The pen loop is elasticated.The inside front cover with a note from Alice Temperley. I wish this had not been touted as exclusive and handwritten because it is mass-produced. Issue or serial numbers would have been more exclusive. Nice cream paper though. Sorry about the toes again (polish is Chanel Peridot if anyone is interested :))These are both a bit it blurry sorry – was crouching over like the incredible hulk because this sucker would NOT lay flat! Nice inserts – classy with the gold and the Temperley stamp on them. It is a pity though that the inserts will probably never be available again.These are both a bit it blurry sorry – was crouching over like the incredible hulk because this sucker would NOT lay flat! Nice inserts – classy with the gold and the Temperley stamp on them. It is a pity though that the inserts will probably never be available again.The ruler has gold lettering and numbering
All in all, I really like this Filofax. I would never ever in a million years pay last season’s £495 pricetag for a Temperley Filofax, particularly a lace-covered one. But this one is good quality and has lots of nice little touches which makes it feel luxurious. It does match my Aspinal 5 year diary perfectly and that is what I wanted. I am really happy with it.
One thing I didn’t mention above and that is really important to me is that it is light to carry. Not a brick, even though it came stuffed to the gills with (strangely) two full sets of inserts – one in Swedish and one five-language. Just to repeat here – this Filofax is only available in Pocket and Compact. The Compact is Personal sized but with small rings. So even if you did want to, you couldn’t turn it into a brick full of everything you need and even things you don’t. That is good for overstuffers like me who need to be physically stopped from overfilling their Filofax, because I fill rings to capacity, no matter how big they are.
I just saw one of these, owned by Rebecca Jay of Dodo Pad Ltd. Really a beautiful binder. Impressed!