Live the Life You Love

Last Friday, I packed a bag with the essentials (iPad, money for tea, dresses) and caught a train heading to the better end of the country – more specifically, Leeds. I’d been invited up North for the first Joe Browns blogger event, and was more than a little nervous to be meeting so many new people.

I think most of the posts from the other guests have all included a version of the following phrase: Joe Browns was not a brand I was aware of before the event. Started in 1998, Joe Browns is a mail order company offering a lifestyle – not only can you buy men and womens clothes, but also gifts and even adventure trips like bungee jumping, ice climbing and white water rafting!

The general styling of the clothes available are more unusual compared to the usual High Street offerings, which is great – I know I’m not the only one to have gone somewhere and found someone wearing exactly the same things as me!

We were introduced to the history of the company by the founder which was really interesting – I’m a bit of a nerd when it comes to company histories, and really enjoyed learning about how the business has grown.

Next up came the buyers for menswear and womenswear, who talked us though the various collections for the new season, and where the inspiration had come from.

After that, we were let loose on the rails of clothes waiting to be tried on, had a tour around the office and even bashed a few pinatas (to go with the delicious Mexican food and drink from Pinche Pinche.

(These two manniquins are fit models – I’ve seen manniquins before of course for dress making, but these were much larger than I’d seen before – a size 16 and a size 20. Joe Browns also has a plus size range with Simply Be so these models are used to make sure those clothes fit.

Thank you SO much to Becs who organised the event – there are a few photos by her over on the Joe Browns Facebook Page here.