Scarlet Velvet - Not only a shop but an experience

New Year’s Eve 2021 gave birth to the idea for Scarlet Velvet, now nearly 12 months on the idea grew into a shop and is thriving in the heart of Ivybridge.

Pablo Munoz and Clair Iles , Co owners, had not even met each other prior to New Year’s Eve 2021, but Pablo was hosting a New Year’s Eve party where they met and the idea almost fell from the stars that they were going to open a shop… literally there and then they agreed to create what is now Scarlet Velvet.

Pablo found 17 Weston road, Ivybridge for rent and by February the 14th 2022 he had viewed the property and had fallen in love with it, and was able to visualise what the shop was going to look like. Clair decided to take the leap of faith, leave her job in the Midlands and her and her husband sold up and moved to Devon in March where they are now enjoying living by the sea and a slower pace of life.

With Pablo’s incredible ability to buy in exquisite items at fantastic prices, along with his excellent business acumen combined with Clair’s creativity, spiritual and holistic skills they make a business power couple!

Scarlet Velvet is an escape from every day life, from the outside it is hard to see in and it looks a bit like a black hole, but for those brave enough to enter it has a beautiful boutique feel with soft music, incense smells, plush velvet ceilings, candles and chandeliers. Clair and Pablo had a clear vision of how it was to look right from the start and they both have the same expensive rich tastes!

As Scarlet Velvet is a short walk outside the town centre it has took a little while for people to find this little oasis in Ivybridge, but they are now happy to say that they have customers travelling from Bristol, Plymouth and Totnes.

The shop stocks both new and pre loved items, seasonal party dresses, Beautiful basques and corsets, Steampunk ruffle skirts along with exquisite coats, gothic clothing and quality pre loved dresses, skirts and tops. They try very hard to stock as wide a size range as possible and want to appeal to as many customers as they can.

Clair and Pablo adore it when people come out of the changing room to show them how an outfit looks, they love to see their faces when they see that little spark that shines when the customer knows that they look good and through that feeling they exude confidence.

Some ladies who have lost their way a little bit have commented that they have spent a day shopping in Plymouth and found nothing but have found the perfect item within moments of being in Scarlet Velvet. It is also their policy to tell the “ truth”.. yes they are retailers but if either Clair or Pablo thinks that the outfit is too tight or does not suit they lovingly suggest something more suitable. There have been may Wow!! Moments when a customer has tried on the absolute perfect dress for them and go off feeling thrilled with their purchase. Clair loves nothing more than to help create that perfect look and is now a dab hand at lacing a corset and creating that gorgeous hour glass silhouette, automatically making you feel sexy and curvy. A few people have also described the feeling of wearing a basque as being comparative to having a hug or feeling held.

Magic happens in Scarlet Velvet, beyond the Crystal balls, magic journals and Tarot cards that are on sale the clothes create a magical transformation, tears have even been shed when someone looks in the mirror and again sees a younger version of themselves that has been lost to the pressures of daily life and the constant rush that they live in.

Scarlet Velvet has also helped male customers delve deep inside and discover what it is like to feel beautiful fabrics on their skin and then to look deep into the mirror and realise that their soul has desperately been calling to them to be heard.

There is no judgement at Scarlet Velvet, Clothes are a way of expressing ourselves and that it is the reason that the shop exists, Gothic clothing is very sensuous, lots of lace, velvet and ribbons a timeless look that anchors itself in the past but is empowering in the now. Those who love fashion and the high street will always love the fast pace of their ever changing wardrobe but Scarlet Velvet items are keepers, clothes that will still look exquisite in ten years time and no one will look at what you are wearing and accusingly be thinking that is so last year !!.

The roots of Scarlet Velvet have been well and truly planted and it is Clair and Pablos wish that they grow deep into Ivybridge soil and the shop grows and flourishes, creating the perfect alternative shopping experience right here in Devon.