Fashion lovers from across Greater Manchester rummaged through rails of vintage clothes, accessories and furniture last week, hoping to find classic trends at the city’s first and very own vintage fashion week.
The six day event kicked off on Monday with a collection of workshops and talks giving guests tips and tricks on how to up-cycle their tired clothes and furniture into fashionable household must-haves.
Tuesday was dedicated to trilby hats, ornate belt buckles and classic tweed jackets as the Orangery marquee on St Ann’s Square opened its doors to the male fashionistas of the city, allowing them to buy various items by the kilo.
It was the ladies turn on Wednesday to delve through the 20 rails of timeless pieces where everything from sassy tea dresses, leather handbags and faux fur coats were available for the style conscious to browse.
On Thursday event organisers ID: GAF hosted a day dedicated to interiors and vintage furniture.
From statement cushions to elaborate table lamps, there was something for every shabby chic lover from across the city.
VINTAGE VINYL: The fair offered something for music lovers too
It was lights, camera action on Friday as fashion designers came together to show off their latest designs to an audience of the family, friends and eclectic dressers.
Drinks flowed throughout the night as performers including Manchester based singer JSky who entertained the audience into the night.
For a long while, vintage fashion has made a name for itself in the uber trendy Northern Quarter, however Gabrielle Fuller from ID: GAF insisted that bringing the touch of the Northern Quarter to St. Ann’s Square emphasised how diverse the city’s culture really is.
She said: “One of the things I’m particularly keen on is integration. You sit in places like this and you could be sat in a nice street in Italy but then you go down to Piccadilly where it’s twice busier but not half as nice.
“So it’s nice that things are moving around a little. So we’ve brought a little bit of the Northern Quarter trend to the more up market St. Ann’s square an they’re loving it.
“When this Victorian city was built, spaces like St Ann’s Square were for the people, it wasn’t just about selling stuff it was about the community, people meeting each other and sharing ideas. So yeah, it’s more than just flogging one offs. What you have here is twenty rails of social history.
“Whenever any are open on the square, the profit of the permanent business here goes up by nearly 30%. So the integration is a fair thing and does greater good all around.”
Between 20-30 vintage traders took over the fashion marquee to style Mancunians for the finale of the fashion event.
FANCY A FROCK: There were 20 rails of timeless pieces for the ladies to browse
Hair and make-up artists were also on site to give Saturday shoppers expert advice on how to make contemporary spins on classic traditional styles.
Gabrielle told MM how working with Stockport, Salford and Manchester councils has launched the event to new heights.
She said: “One thing I had noticed was that people in small businesses were really alone and that people who are creative tend to not be as good on the business side so what I decided to do was to bring both aspects together to make something new.
“All the councils have been brilliant with helping me organise this event, it’s not about them sitting around a table telling you what’s going to work for your idea.
“For me it’s about creating and celebrating independent businesses coming together. They had a big part in making it successful.”
Manchester Vintage and Fashion Week is hoped to return next year as part of city council’s successful Summer Festival in 2015.
All images courtesy of Manchester Vintage and Fashion Week, via Facebook, with thanks
