A bright and happy message dropped into my DM’s one day back in August.  It was from Sulkydoll, a.k.a Donna McCulloch, a freelance stylist and fashion editor who counts Oscars clients among her enviable portfolio.  Donna was keen to meet up and chat all things Maven and I was excited to meet up and chat all things fashion!

We’d almost met a few times over the years, back in my days of Exquisite Bridal Couture we had both worked on Winchester Fashion Week.  So it was great to finally meet in person.  Our mutual desire to ensure women feel confident, empowered and are supportive of each other made for a great meeting and so we quickly got started planning our first event.

A change of season was a foot, everyone was still feeling rather starved of retail therapy and totally unsure of what to wear after a summer of swimsuits so we set about planning Sulkydoll’s signature Find Your Style Workshop, to inspire and excite people to ignite their winter wardrobe and dress with confidence, style and sass this winter.

This was also our first Maven Mixer event.  Maven Mixers are our social events, where you can do a spot of networking, have fun and be educated about something insightful and empowering along the way.  Naturally at the start of 2020 I had imagined these events in person, at Maven, or a local venue.  However Covid had other plans, so we Zoomed it.

A fashion event wouldn’t be a complete without a swag bag so we worked with local partners Sarah Barrett, The Secret Garden Skin Clinic, The Well Worn and Ellie & Bea to create a selection of goodies all topped off with a cocktail from The Cabinet Rooms.  We spread a little sunshine and hand delivered these directly to our guests homes ahead of the night.

Sulky’s Find Your Style Workshop is an absolute force.  It helps you to discover your own personal style by recognising that your style is unique to you.  You find out more about your body shape and colours and feel confident about dressing to work with who you are and not to try and be somebody else.  It also motivates you to buy correctly, to focus on buying pieces that you’ll wear again and again…don’t forget, before you buy to ask yourself “Will I wear it 30 times?”

The night was an absolute hit, the Find Your Style Workshop uplifting and all of guests felt they had learnt so much.  Our what’s app banter group from the night was filled with love..

”Thanks Donna and Natalie! Thanks everyone!  Most fun I have had since pre-plague times!”

”Ladies – thank you for making me laugh.  What a lovely evening.”

”Bye ladies I’ve had super fun.  We’ll recognise each other out and about in town with our new found sass!”

Donna, it was brilliant working with you.  I know we’ll do it again soon!  And a big THANK YOU to all our guests who joined on the night, you were such a great group and made it a fun and interactive evening.

If you didn’t make it do get in touch, we’d love to run the event again for those who missed out….Maybe event in person this time!

“Seek to be whole not perfect”  Sulkydoll

much love

Natalie xx