Next Stop – Camper Conference. Palma Majorca, Spain

Ola!,
A 30 hour plan ride landed me in Majorca Spain for the T75 Camper collection conference.

As I walked through the passenger terminal to collect my bags I was welcomed with open arms and a by our always smiley and gorgeous (and newly engaged) UK Betty, Amy.
We gathered our things and off we went into Majorca town in bound to our hotel, we chatted about the recent Betty adventure to New York which Amy & Mon had just returned from a few days before. Feeling very jealous I looked over my shoulder and out the window to the most beautiful picture perfect scenery you can ever imagine- Jealousy erased!
It was a rush into town before the first night of conference, off we ran into the beautiful lanes into old Majorca Town surrounded by all the beautiful cathedral and sand stone buildings. I honestly do not think I could snap away any faster or take any more photos, this place is just so beautiful. And then. The biggest Zara you have ever seen followed by the biggest H&M so the Betties do what the Betties do best and that’s shop up a storm, and that’s just what we did.

Day # 1 of conference, 200 Camperians from around the world gathered into a ball room surrounded by 3 gigantic projector screens. We were welcomed and introduced to the T75 2012 Autumn/ Winter collection, and what a collection it is. Stay tuned to see what Camper has installed but all I can reveal is that you will be seeing these designs making footprints in the Betty Office. We also were updated on the movements on the Camper Volvo Ocean race and its developments, now for all of you who may not be aware – Camper along with Emirates have taken part in the 2011 Volvo Ocean Race, there is so much devotion and love involved and this is clear as the team has been in the lead throughout the race which started in October 2011. I have a new obsession now and that is checking the position of the boat like every few hours – and if you ask the girls I have not stopped talking about the boat, the team and everything involved. The boat will have a stopover in Auckland in March 2012 and I couldn’t tell you how excited I am.

Day #2, it was PR madness as we covered everything in 2011 and to come in 2012 – including our input into the culling of the 200+ style collection, Amy & I were going a little bit crazy having to cut some of the amazing styles out but the others were just too good! We then met with Jack Sparrow (the pirate), Jack talked us through the new partnership and collaboration with Camper x Gore-Tex that will be included in the T75 family. Once again Camper has exceled all expectations as I was chosen to put the shoes to test with having my shoes put into a temperature machine that dropped from minus degree temperatures to well over desert weather and guess what I felt through the shoes?? NOTHING!
Day #3, VOR VOR VOR – it was a day dedicated to the Volvo Ocean Race, when I said there is endless amounts of love and dedication devoted to this race, I really really meant it! There is a team that spend all of their waking and sleeping hours too just planning and ploting for the race ahead.again all the Camperians gathered to what we had been told was a surprise, a live skype across to the team on the boat. One of the most amazing and emotional experiences of my life! We watched as the waves rolled them around the Yacht and the boys telling of their experiences and their program of 2.5 hours sleep a night.

They will be celebrating Christmas together in the middle of the ocean so we all sent our love and luck and skype was signed off. With all the love in the air the Camper Australian and UK teams headed out for what Spain does best, Tapas.ohhh – emmm – geee absolutely no words to describe the deliciousness.
Day #4, last day of conference – wrapping up all the 3 days past, we discussed, eliminated, organised, structured, included and noted all things VOR & 2012. Sweaty Betty PR went home with the best Television coverage for 2012, what an award! Go team!!. The evening saw the PR teams heading into town to one of the coolest bars I have ever seen. The table was decorated in hand written name placement tags and the cutest decorated Ginger Bread biscuits with Camper shoe iced on top.
Friday Morning came and I then had to say my goodbyes and was home bound very upset I must admi. I can safely say after 4 days. I love this place and everything in it.
The Conference, the people, the meeting – everything involved made this one of the most amazing experiences of my life.
To keep track of the race and its movements follow the Camper with Emirates Team New Zealand Facebook page, be careful as you will become totally obsessed. Watch this space as I will be bringing you sneak peeks into the T75 collections MUST –HAVES!

Gracias,
Irene X