Thursday 22 November 2012

Day at the Museum

I haven't had a week off work in soo long and as I haven't seen my folks in months I thought I'd take an extended mini break to the coast. I met my mum in the North Western city of Preston. I specifically wanted to come here as I wanted see the Harris Museum and check out their clothing exhibition 'Preston in the Guild' which had a specific focus on the Horrockses fashion label that happened to be founded in the area in 1946. Their clothes were designed as an 'upmarket' 'off the peg' exclusive label which tried to emulate the major fashion capitals of London and Paris. For those of you who aren't from the UK the North West of England specifically towns like Preston large cities like Manchester and parts of Yorkshire were the birth place of the industrial revolution where cotton manufacturing became the largest employer during the 19th century. Young rich socialite wives of cotton mill owners needed beautiful clothes to match their new found status...I guess nothing much has changed!


Whilst I haven't been in this part of the world for a while (I only grew up a few miles away) I have now migrated slightly more south 40 miles or so nearer to the larger city of Manchester and I thought it was a opportunity to give you folks who aren't so near a taste of what is in essence a bit of a history stroke fashion stroke town recommendation lesson.

The Harris Museum is a stunningly beautiful building that was first commissioned by local lawyer Edmund Robert Harris in 1877. There are always several exhibitions going on as well as the museum holding an Art Gallery and Public library. I particularly like the fact the museum centres on 'local' history.








Isn't this dress truly exquisite? 



A typical Horrockses designed dress however I think I'd have to loose some weight off the hips first. 


These are truly funky little numbers a typical style of the 60/70's and reminiscent of the designers Biba and Mary Quant. 





After a trip to the 3rd floor which was traumatic enough, my mother is not the greatest fan of heights and especially less so considering the large staircases and marble flooring so we decided on a little retail therapy. Like any large town in the UK the high street shops are always in abundance but I like to find something off the beaten track. Off a side street I wanted to find the little vintage Retro Rehab new sister store to their larger more accomplished store as located in the ever increasingly achingly cool part of Manchester's Northern Quarter. This part of town is quiet and far more boutiquey and has a more calm and relaxed approach than the free for all fighting of the busy pedestrianisation areas (this also makes it far easier to trust your buying instincts as apposed to rushed claustrophobic impulse buys on the high street which you never where or need!). The shop itself is cute, compact and full of vintage goodies that are hand picked and all of them are extremely good quality. I decided to purchase two pleated dresses, a paisley one which I plan to team with a geometric print jacket and a dark floral knee length one which i'll wear with my many pins and badges.   Not bad for under £40. I also noticed after my happy purchases a lovely little cupcake shop across the way which is perfect for the afternoon munchies after a busy day of thrifting.








Well we were now feeling a little peckish and decided to take a walk around the more upmarket part of town around Winckley Square. This part of the city is quite historic full of large Georgian/Victorian buildings that overlook one of the only green parts of town. I had heard during the revolution this was actually an exclusive gated community. It has now however given rise to apartment buildings, office blocks and the like. You can see more about the elegance of the place on the link above and get a feel for the opulence and also tragedy of the workers who could of only dreamed of living like their masters. We also had a little walk through the park the trees and Autumnal colours look so beautiful at this time of year. Nearby I was looking forward to lunch at a deli I had heard some great reviews about. Deli Med is a lovely Mediterranean delicatessen that only serves the best in local produce (as well as some fabulous imported goodies) and there are so many things to try cured meats, cheeses, chutneys, fresh salads etc etc. Me and Mum used to meet up at the now defunked Love Saves The Day deli in Manchester and always shared a platter so to reminisce we thought we'd do the same. It was soo great to catch up on some girly gossip and have a giggle and natter whilst enjoying some delicious treats especially the garlic stuffed olives which were huge! I also liked the fact the condiments at the table actually included olive oil and balsamic vinegar usually you have to ask for extra as there is never enough for dunking that lovely crusty bread. We shared a bottle of fizz, at first we wanted Processco but there didn't appear to be any on the menu which we always look forward too as it isn't too bitter as is a far cheaper yet just as delicious alternative to Champers but we could only find Cava which Mum was a bit skeptical to try. I must admit though it was truly delicious aged for 28 months very fruity and truly yum and went down an absolute treat!


I love days out with my mum...what have been your favourites? 

Till next time

xxx

Monday 12 November 2012

The Girl from Jupiter

I think I was always a bit of a dork/freak/outsider at school. Always into history and perpetually drifting off into a dream like state thinking of exotic travel locations, amazing fashion finds (which when growing up mostly tended to be fashion faux pars) and so forth. Never actually completing anything...too much in a rush, brain never stopping. Maybe I needed to live in a simpler time...I watched Moonrise Kingdom last night and felt a kingship with leading lady Susy Bishop. She runs away, has a tendency to snap, feels misunderstood, likes to read, has a pet kitten and wears really cool blue eyeshadow.





It was 1965-peter pan collars, pastel dresses, knee high socks, kohl and freckles....


So I tried out a Suzy...I think it made my eyes pop I even made a tribute to Sam with my faux fur hat...

Champagne Fridays


Frome left to right:
Champange Fridays at The Bubble Room-Alderley Edge, Octoberfest Specials  at Cask, Manchester, Welsh prayer books and old school royalty at St Anns Hospice Stockport, 60's PVC Bag, SAH (work), Classic Queen, Up and down works musical stairs, Autumnal Walking, The Carrs, Wilmslow, Glass of Red by the fire at home, Moonrise Kingdom

Monday 8 October 2012

If it ain't baroque don't fix it

History.. its influence on fashion is now unprecedented. Take this seasons baroque trend I have visions of Peter the Great thrusting his sword into the cold wilderness of what is now modern day St Petersburg. This isn't minimalism this is ultimate maxi-malism.


There are golds, velvets the lushest shades of burgundy for a sophisticated Autumnal palate. No one of course did this better than D&G. It was rich, bold and full of historic sentiments of monarchies past. Ellie Saab's gold dresses however have me forward thinking to the glitziest of Christmas parties...the best of old school movie stars and lashings of the finest champagne.



For every day work attire I will be simplifying things by taking Ralph Lauren and Moschino for my fashion inspiration and upping my fashionista credentials by teaming with a trophy jacket and accessories from Anna Dello Russo's new collection for H&M. That's if all those anti fashionista bastards haven't bulk bought the whole fucking collection and decided to try and charge exorbitant prices...anyway I have already given you my thoughts on that in a previous post.


The woman is just coolness personified she allegedly owns 4000 pairs of shoes and the fact she lives in Italy and is editor in chief for Vogue Nippon kind of gives rise to the new collection its 'ghetto baroque' darling.  Now watch and then go buy those fabulosa gold boots.

I shall shortly be posting some piccies of my new gold purchases.

x

Monday 13 August 2012

Home sweet Home

My new job rocks...there you go I admit it. I actually dread days off. Whether that's just sad or genius is still up for debate. Who doesn't love being Shop Manager (currently training until the official store opens) but dealing with donations, vintage pieces and creating the most fabulousa window displays, I'm like a kid in a candy store.

My bus journeys into work are one my favourite 'me time' moments chai latte in hand, ipod on and my nose deep in a magazine I am dead to the world. Then I caught glimpse of Internash Fash Edit in last months 'Company' magazine. My mind froze in a delrium of travel fulled style explosions. Then I thought what the fuck am I doing...start blogging kid. It's time to put Manchester well and truly back on the fashion map.

Next years to do list: Wear whatever I want without feeling like a complete dick and dance like no ones watching, to visit all these cool as fuck cities and finally the new shop will soon have its own blog, twitter, facebook pages soon to come. Keep posted its gonna rule...Madmen Autumnal 60's cocktail party anyone? You betcha!







                                   

                You can rule the world if you just put your mind to it! x

Red, White and Blue


                                                             Red or Dead Blighty Boots
                                                                            £100
                                                                           Schuh

The whole country is still riding on a crest of patriotic pride. And these are definitely on my 'lust must' list. Just need some coloured jeans, coral coloured rock tee and a studded visor. You rocked Team GB.

Monday 16 July 2012

Nod towards the Mod

The British Summer has well and truly been a write off....rain rain and guess what more rain. It is incredibly depressing not to wear my summers best but fear not AW12 will be along soon enough. I don't know where to start...gothic princess lashings of leather and a piercing stare. Luxurious outlandish opulence a Russian princess from the 17th century. GI Jane...., I am positively combusting with excitement. 






But there is one trend that outstrips them all and that has to be the nod towards the mod. The sixties is back, better, bolder and more show stopping than ever. Joan Holloway eat your heart out...but I tell you what you want the look on the cheap look no further than our British high street favourite M&S....lush lush lush.