Like a Virgin (Atlantic) | Behind the Seams Blog by Lilly & Jude

Behind the Seams

Like a Virgin…Atlantic: Bags, Big Breaks, and a Little Purple Magic

Kerry Atterbury

4th November 2024

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Like a Virgin…Atlantic: Bags, Big Breaks, and a Little Purple Magic

Me, post-photography session. Good grief - when did I get so old?!

Hey hey, my lovelies!

I hope you’re all feeling fabulous and revving up for the festive season… although if you’re anything like me, you’re probably wondering how on earth it’s November already. I swear it was two minutes ago that the studio was hotter than, Satan’s perineum (you’re welcome for that little visual), with perfect light streaming in for bag photos… and now I’m here, frantically keeping the dog from terrorising trick-or-treaters and trying to figure out what Christmas offerings to make for you all!

PR Adventures: Trial and Error (and One Brilliant Win!)

Speaking of terrifying… Remember in my last blog post that I mentioned emailing a dog in a desperate attempt to gain some attention for my little fledgling business? Well I was absolutely inundated with one query, asking if the dog ever got back to me. Well… no. She didn’t (rude bitch).

Well, I continued with my quest and have sent out what feels like a million emails to various magazines, pimping out my bags like a hawker of ill-gotten gains. But you know what? Persistence pays off! I was lucky enough to grab the attention of Shropshire Life Magazine. Not only that, but they want to do an actual feature on me - gulp. So then I had 2 problems:

1. I entirely loathe having my picture taken.

2. I have lived in my comfy scruffs since covid and have lost all sense of fashion (beyond fabulous bags, of course) and the thought of having to put a proper, underwired bra on felt very much like a challenge.

Fast forward 2 weeks and after a trip to John Lewis to see one of their amazing stylists (big shout out to Keziah!), she set me straight and I had a rather lovely outfit, suitable for an actual adult-y type professional person - and I’m all ready for my close up.

So… Picture this: me, trying to remember how to stand like a lady, sucking my ample stomach in, whilst attempting all sorts of contortions to try to hide at least 3 of my dozen or so chins, desperately trying to lock my gaze on the lens, without looking like a bog-eyed hippo. God only knows what those photos are going to look like, but I got on pretty well with Steve, the photographer (shout out to Steve!), so I’m sure he won’t do me too dirty on his choice of edits. So if you happen to come across a copy of Shropshire Life Magazine and see a picture of me looking slightly terrified, just know I was trying my best not to look and sound like a total idiot!

Now that the pictures have been taken, I have to have an interview with the reporter tomorrow. No doubt the intrusive thoughts (one of the many interesting delights, brought to me by the letters A, D, H and D) that pop into my brain at the most inopportune moments will make me rattle on about any old nonsense, say something completely ridiculous or inappropriate and I’ll make myself look like a right incompetent tit. So, Heather - if you’re reading this - I apologise in advance.

I’m really sorry!

And then… the Big One! Vera Magazine (Yes, THAT One)

Just when I thought the PR gods had had enough fun with me, a wonderful freelance writer named Andy actually took pity and managed to get me into the Christmas Gift Guide for Vera Magazine.

Yep, the Virgin Atlantic in-flight magazine.

THE. VIRGIN. ATLANTIC!

So, yeah… no biggie, right?

Just a casual 1.5 million captive readers potentially staring at one of my bags from 35,000 feet up in the air! Just a few eyeballs, y’know?

It’s fine.

I’m fine.

I’m totally fine… gulp.

Let’s just say the pressure is on to make as many bags as my fingers can stitch!

This may or may not be an actual image of a Virgin Atlantic plane, showing off one of my gorgeous bags*. Slay! * It’s not.

Except, of course, the universe decided to throw me another curveball - a kidney infection! Right when I was about to meet my biggest PR moment yet. Perfect timing, truly. I was wiped out, spending half the day needing nanna naps like I was a hundred years old. But I’m on the mend, back to panicking full-throttle, and finally able to give my bags the love they deserve before I list them on my website and they go to their wonderful forever homes.

Now, here’s a fun twist of fate for you! As if being in Vera, Virgin Atlantic’s in-flight magazine, wasn’t exciting enough, there’s also a fabulous article in there about my all-time favourite artist and absolute ICON—Prince! If you know me, you know how much I Adore Prince, (pun absolutely intended! IYKYK), so that’s a cool little coincidence. 💜

Anyway, you can find me on page 89.

I do want to send a ginormous thank you to the amazing Andy for including my little brand. And a huge ‘hello! Welcome!’ to all the lovely new visitors who’ve found me through Vera!

Look, mum! I’m almost, kinda, sorta famous! Well, not famous, but maybe like viral… in a non-digital sense. Man… I wish you were here to see this mum. I miss you

Christmas Offers: Help Me Decide!

Now, back to the festive panic! Christmas is coming in hot, and I’m trying to dream up some fab offers for you guys. I’m torn: matching purses? Free, personalised dust bags? A bit of gift wrap magic, or maybe even sending your gift directly to the lucky recipient along with a beautiful, hand painted watercolour Christmas card? (Don’t worry, she’s an amazing artist and got a 9 in her art GCSE’s - she’s in the top 5% of the country - #NotSoHumbleParentingBrag).

I’d love your input - what would make the perfect Christmas treat? Please comment below this blog post.

One thing’s certain: I really need to get my arse into gear, pronto! I’m ridiculously busy right now, but it’s all a bit more manageable knowing I’ve got such an amazing tribe in you lot, cheering me on.

Talking of which…

Shout-Out to My Amazing L&J Tribe

To those of you who’ve been here since the beginning, spreading the word, supporting my little business, and making purchases - seriously, thank you. I genuinely couldn’t do this without you. Every sale, every like, every share - you’re the reason I’m able to do what I love, and I’ll never stop being grateful. Your support means the world to me, and I hope my bags bring a bit of joy to you in return.

And… Introducing the Autumn Edit!

Oh! Before I forget—I’ve got a new release coming up: the Autumn Edit. Three (maybe four) limited-edition bags made with my usual rescued leather but mixed with a bit of designer woollen tweed. Luxe, cosy, and very Autumn Vibes. Keep an eye out over the next few days, because they’ll be up and ready for you, and, as always, these are one-of-a-kind, so once they’re gone, they’re gone!