Meet the Designers
Paula Daly
Inspired by a lifetime’s love of fashion and film and a habit for collecting vintage treasures, Paula Daly, the creator of Mouse to Minx, has served up an original recipe of corsets and cardigans, tea and knickers.
The Mouse to Minx brand is a unique fusion of 20th century inspirations. It adopts a demure yet seductive vintage styling and adds a cheeky genteel subversion: wittily narrating its fashion exploits in the style of a post-war girls’ adventure story.
With the sharpest eye for detail Paula has successfully employed the quaint and theatrical rituals of English afternoon tea whilst poking affectionate fun with her modern lifestyle statement on old-fashioned English social etiquette: prim with the hint of naughty twist.
The Mystery of the Management Team
Convent educated, Paula has designed and made clothes since childhood, eventually getting a place at art school hoping to study fashion and textiles. But being seduced by painting in her foundation year, she ended up graduating in Fine Art. Coming from a lively and large Irish family, the exchange of wit and wisdom, song, dance and story-telling come as standard. It is this natural imagination with language which gives the fashion brand's marketing approach and web presence its unique flavour.
Humour is never far from the surface at Mouse to Minx, as can been seen in the dialogue between the brand’s three ‘managing directors', Daphne, Dulcie and Doris, each with a distinct personality, style and role within the business at 'Minx HQ.'
Going full circle from her early sewing years, Paula has brought the full force of her knowledge of fashion history, her inspiring collection of vintage dresses and her innate creativity, to launch a concept which has now captured the attention of a club of signed up members on five continents.
A Brief History of the World
Mouse to Minx first came into being in 2004. A year later, with the opening of its first tiny concession store, the “Minx Club” was formed to engage customers through regular news bulletins about the brand’s activities, ultimately including developing a user group of fans to inform the creation of the ecommerce site in 2007.
Paula opened her first Mouse to Minx shop in 2005 in a historic 16th century conservation area of Bristol, UK. This closed in 2008 and Paula is welcoming approaches to discuss franchise or licencing partnerships for any business interested in running a Mouse to Minx branded store in the UK.
As a theatrical retail concept, right down to Paula's extensive soundtrack of popular songs from the 1930s to the 1950s, and staff dressed as "Nippy" waitresses, the Mouse to Minx boutique, in a grade two listed shop, captivated the attention of film-makers, theatre designers, fashion designers and of course, customers. If imitation really is the highest form of flattery then Mouse to Minx is extremely flattered, and has seen its web site listed on numerous ‘best of’ lists amongst some significant multinational brands including Tiffany, Prada, Nine West and Myla.
The Adventure of the Crystal Ball
Now focussed on its online activities and brand development, Mouse to Minx is still a single-handed enterprise, and Paula Daly is looking for an established brand who would like to acquire it, to work with her to realise its full potential as a fashion and lingerie brand.
Any enquiries about the business, interviews or photo opportunities should first be directed by email to the press desk at Daphne@mousetominx.co.uk
Poppy Treffry
Poppy Treffry makes a range of handbags, purses, brooches and tea cosies using freehand machine embroidery and appliqué.
The designs are inspired by her drawings of her native Cornwall and by her regular travels abroad.
Combining stitch with a variety of fine, found and vintage fabrics, Poppy transforms the otherwise mundane and disposable, into colourful, individual and desirable textiles for the home.
Poppy’s base is in the coastal town of Newlyn, Cornwall, renowned for its vibrant and historic creative energy as much for its fishing and beautiful scenery.
Each designer piece in the Mouse to Minx store is an original. If you would like to check what is currently in store or commission a piece please contact us by email at info@mousetominx.co.uk
Peachie Keen
Best friends Louise Coughlan and Nicola Thomas created their first collection in 2003. Louise had a fashion degree from UWE and was designing and making costume for film when the pair met.
Nicola's dressmaking credentials were less orthodox, having studied politics. "My Mum was always making things and she taught me to sew and knit when I was quite young. While my friends were playing with Barbie and Ken, I was busying making them matching outfits."
A shared passion for pretty pants and a love of all things handmade encouraged the girls to collaborate on producing the perfect pair.
They've created a contemporary look that combines suggestive silhouettes, a vibrant colour palette and delicious prints.
Louise says "We spent a lot of time getting the design right. The knickers are cute & comfortable and everything from Peachie Keen is 100% quality, even down to the handcrafted label.