Maven

I actually really like the idea of places like Maven. Small boutiques with a really well-​edited and beautiful selection of clothes and accessories where the sales assistant is pretty much like a personal shopper. You don’t have to pay for their service and they can be a great help in finding something truly remarkable. The idea is to develop a relationship with the space, the clothes and the people.
In theory, this works. In reality, these kind of places really intimidate people. In order to go into a place like this, I worry about if my outfit is nice enough. That sucks, and I shouldn’t have to do that.
It seems like Maven, judging by other reviews, is kind of like that. However, I did have a rather pleasant experience in the shop, even though I was just browsing. I was greeted by a friendly woman who let me shop and, when I asked to try something on, she suggested something to go with it. Things seemed to be going well, and I loved both items, especially the one she picked. Of course, I couldn’t afford either, but it was fun anyway.

I don’t get what the big deal is about Maven. It’s all very posh and we’re classy and grand and all, but when it comes down to it, it’s just a snobby little boutique with a select clientele of snobby customers.
The shop assistants are very ‘Oh daaarling, that’s looovely on you… you know, you reeaaaallly should try the purple… it would really match your skin tone, daaarling’ — but only to the cream of the crop customers. The regular punters might get a ‘hi’ if they’re lucky.
So you potter around the store, feeling like the kid who didn’t get picked in the football team at school, desperately wanting to be included in this strange ‘game’ they’re playing, but always on the outskirts, always forgotten about at the back of the store.
Ok, I’ll concede, the fabrics are lovely, and they’re made of some good quality and interesting materials, including bamboo and hemp. There are some delightful pieces, but most are around the 200 euro mark so it’s not cheap shopping by any means.
Yes I suppose if you’re after quality and you can get the sales assistant to talk to you this might be a good place to pick up some signature wardrobe pieces. But until these shop assistants realise that every customer is just as important as the next I won’t shop here.