The Mastermind Behind Velvet Ibiza: Carine De Mesmaeker

Velvet Ibiza, Europe’s most epic party for queer women, is about to celebrate its seventh anniversary.

Happening May 2-7 in idyllic Ibiza, Spain, this event is an all-inclusive five-day, five-night party for LGBTQ women to enjoy a life-changing and bonding experience. Created and produced by Carine De Mesmaeker, Velvet Ibiza made history in its inception year by being the first ever queer women event held on the small Balearic island famously known for its LGBTQ friendly culture, vibrant nightlife scene, and celebrity sighting.

From pool parties and sports tournaments to yoga classes and club nights with top queer female DJs dropping sick beats, there is something for everyone. Velvet Ibiza attracts a vastly international crowd, with women from across the globe traveling to celebrate community and each other.

Mesmaeker took some time to talk more about Velvet Ibiza and how she plans to take the festivities to the next level with OFM.

Can you begin by telling us what makes Velvet Ibiza worth checking out?

Velvet Ibiza is one of the only festivals we have in Europe. In America, you have a lot of them. I don’t know what it’s been like after COVID, but before, you had several options. For women in Europe, there aren’t that many. So, that was one of the reasons why I started it. I wanted to give women the opportunity to come together on a lovely island. We know it as a hippie island, and it was exactly the place where I wanted to offer something new for queer women in Europe.

What are some of the biggest highlights guests can expect this year?

This year, we are putting a lot of our attention on solo travelers because there are a lot of women attending by themselves, and they need to be entertained. So, we are organizing a party geared for them. We’ll do speed dating and a lot of activities to keep everyone pleased and allowed them to mingle with everyone. I don’t know why, but the event itself attracts women of all ages and all cultures. It’s a very special mixture, where everyone speaks with everyone. I’ve never seen this sort of vibe anywhere else. It’s like a family gathering.

So, when Velvet Ibiza began six years ago, you didn’t expect it would become this big of a success and attract attendees from all over the world?

I expected a lot of Belgian people because I’m from Belgium. I’ve been doing parties for many years, and about 12 years ago, I started this big event called Velvet 69. I was expecting a lot of people from Belgium, but to my big surprise, a lot of Americans came, as well as people from the UK, Germany, all over the world. I really didn’t expect that to happen.

 How did you get involved with planning events for the LGBTQ community?

I have a long history (laughs). It was in the 80s, and I was a DJ at most of the lesbian clubs in Brussels. Then from 1999-2004, I had my own club called The Gate. It was a lesbian bar during the week, and during the weekend, it turned into a nightclub. So, I’ve been involved for a long time.

Within the past 10 years, several lesbian bars have closed. Not just here in the U.S., but all over the world. Why do you think that is?

You have to look at it from another view because a lot of hetero clubs are also closing. In Brussels, for example, we had a big nightlife scene in Belgium, but a lot of clubs are closing. I think that’s because society has changed. In the 80s, when you wanted to meet other gay women, you had to go to a club because there were no other options. That played a big role, and now, there is no need to go to these places anymore. However, nowadays, big clubs are closing, but more festivals are coming up. In Belgium, every small city has its own festival. So, it is society that has changed.

How would you say Velvet Ibiza is different from other events catered towards queer women, like California’s The Dinah?

The big difference is that with the ticket you buy, everything is included, except your flight. So, everything is going to be all in one place, and I want to keep it like this. There’s one hotel; we have the complete hotel, and all your food and drinks are included. You don’t have to move from one place to another.

What are some future goals you hope to accomplish with Velvet Ibiza in the future?

I want to continue as it is. I don’t want to go bigger because right now, around 600-700 people attend, and for me, that’s enough because that creates the family feeling. I don’t want to lose this. However, in the future, I do want to organize a super deluxe high class event for women at a super deluxe hotel in Ibiza. I would like to try and make that happen in one or two years.

Would you say that family feeling is what you ultimately hope attendees take away from Velvet Ibiza?

That, and having five days together of meeting all these women from all over the world! An event for like-minded individuals.

For more information and to stay up-to-date, follow Velvet Ibiza on Facebook and Instagram, or visit velvetibiza.es.

Photos courtesy of Velvet Ibiza