Mint Velvet is quickly becoming a favourite fashion hotspot for yummy mummies and style seekers across the UK. With an expanding collection of stores and House of Fraser concessions, the beloved brand is popping up all over and has a loyal band of sophisticated followers, including Kate Middy!
Catering for the more mature female market has some difficulties. With an alternative range of bodies and tastes to suit, the highstreet has often missed the mark with uninspiring and unflattering pieces. After doing some researching and writing an article on this often neglected subject,
The Forgotten Age, a brief, but insightful internship with Mint Velvet allowed me to appreciate the brand's depth and value for these women. It turns out they're spot on when it comes to style for women who know what they want.
It was a delight to find the MV HQ to be in my hometown of High Wycombe. As soon as I came home for a long weekend, I jumped on the chance to contact them and I was thrilled to be invited into the offices as a PR and marketing intern, awesome!
During my time there in May, the Mint Velvet marketing office was rushed off their feet with prep for the AW14 Press Day, ensuring to give their guests the most valuable sneak peak at the coming collection! I was on goodie bag duty and made up 200 Mint Velvet bags, with gifts from brands such as Dermologica, PopChips and Carmex as well as a handout with inspiration and fashion illustrations of the new collection. I was also on hand to run out and grab some final decorative bits, prep some sample garments and collect everything together ready for the following day.
All the details and decor were planned and packed off to the lavish Sanderson Hotel in London and everything was ready to be set up in the hotel's spa. First, the team had a well-deserved dinner at the brilliant Suka, the Sanderson's resident Malaysian kitchen, to refuel for the long evening! I wish I had taken a picture of my yellow coconut curry to show, but evidently, I was too lost in it...it was soo gorgeous!
On Press Day, the team were up and at the venue bright and early, making final adjustments and perfecting the presentation of the new collection. The spa looked incredible as soft white curtains surrounded the simple, yet luxurious decor and the delicious A/W pieces.
Helping out with the last adjustments
Left: My domain at the door: welcoming fashion press guests
Top right: One of the graceful golden mannequins dressed in a key item of the collection- the most adored sequinned navy jumpsuit
Bottom right: A darker themed rail and the hygge, a snug area for the sublime AW14 casual wear as well as amazing manicures and hand massages
MY PRESS DAY OUTFIT
I was attracted to the Ida Cowl Back Tunic because of its grungy abstract print of black and stone, with a wave of azure...but I was sold when it hung like silk and I felt the breezy shell cut. It came a bit lower on my legs than it probably should of, but this made it fabulously oversized! Paired with black Topshop Joni jeans, a black bandeau and smart patent DMs, I was cool and comfortable for the all-day event.
Some of my other roles in the office included updating the Mint Velvet press portfolio and sample database as well as collecting inspiration for AW beauty and the pretty pastel Easter 2014. It was a little strange to be working with darker, more wintery items during sunny spring days, but it was refreshing and I absorbed the images, colours and patterns we'll be seeing in the coming months!
I was in the office for 7 working days, but the timing of this experience couldn't have been more perfect, as the exclusive Press Preview event during this time was so exciting, eye opening and creatively-charged. Mint Velvet was founded in my home county of Bucks and working in its HQ showed reason for its growing success. Its tight-knit, social and passionate team creates a relaxed atmosphere in the office, which motivates and compels its prosperity. I'm sure each member has developed great adoration for the brand since its formation and flourishing success. It was therefore natural that I too felt an emerging sense of admiration for Mint Velvet during my short, but very sweet, time there.
