Fledgling firm supplies masks to Square Mile ball

MAYOR of London Boris Johnson could be parading round a ball next month wearing a mask created by a fledging Shropshire business.

Businesswoman Tanith Harvey-Smith has just launched Masque Boutique from her Shrewsbury home and one of her first commissions is to supply 60 masks for the Square Mile Masked Ball in London.

Fountain pen maker Mont Blanc has asked Mrs Harvey-Smith to create the masks with the company’s logo on them in crystals for the event on September 1 at which Mr Johnson is the special guest.

Her work will also be seen by a global audience as she helped to create headwear being sported by Miss England at an international beauty competition in Poland this month.

Mrs Harvey-Smith said her eventual aim for the business was that it didn’t just rely on the masked ball season.

“Generally, I am doing a lot of one-off bespoke masks for special occasions such as weddings,” the 35-year-old told TheBusinessDesk.com.

“Off the back of my website I was also asked to do a headdress for Miss England for the Miss Supranational competition being held this month.

“It’s held in Poland and Miss England is wearing a national costume which myself and another designer created.

“I would like to diversify by doing more unusual pieces like masks and headwear for pageants and moving into the corporate market.

“What I want to do now is offer companies personalised masks they can use at events so waitresses and bar staff are promoting the clients.”