When thousands of doors slammed shut during lockdown, digital gateways opened up instead. Gym classes, fresh pints, and haircuts were all temporarily banned whilst the country sheltered from a global pandemic, meaning that health, hospitality, and headwear all moved online instead.
Online exercise memberships and craft beer box subscriptions skyrocketed in 2020, whilst dozens of other new brands popped up to fill the void in retail – providing hats and caps to help people hide their dodgy lockdown dos.
One of them was HEX MCR.
But once the barbers and hairdressers did finally reopen, a funny thing happened. Nobody wanted to take their HEX hats off.
Luke Powell and Andy Gibson launched HEX as a way to stay busy when their own work in the construction industry dried up. But they actually ended up creating something that’s stood the test of time.
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HEX has now become one of Manchester’s most familiar and fastest-growing fashion labels – with the headwear and clothing being paraded by footballers and reality TV stars, including the likes of Aaron Wan Bissaka, Danny Simpson, Georgia Steel, Charlie Frederick and Jordan Defay.
Next year, company sales are tipped to top £1 million.
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Luke Powell and Andy Gibson launched HEX as a “pandemic project”
Whilst caps and heats remain the brand’s ‘bread and butter’, the company has continued to expand into a diverse unisex range of premium streetwear – all of which blends style with a casual feel.
Co-founder Luke thinks that coming from such a different background may be part of the reason why the fashion line has proven such a success.
“Our vision is different, we’re not from the style industry,” he explains.
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“Because our background is construction, we’re looking in with a different set of eyes. We’re not trying to re-engineer how the industry works or anything. We’re just in a different lane – taking a refreshing approach.
“We’ve been taking business skills from another industry and transferring them across.”
HEX started out with a line of hats and caps designed to hide dodgy lockdown dos – and is now one of the most exciting, stylish brands in Manchester
From the get-go, HEX has also strived to stay clear of fast fashion – ensuring all of the products are crafted ethically to quality standards. This careful philosophy seems to be stitched into the brand’s makeup, with the company committed to scaling slowly and making sure it takes the right steps at the right times.
“We’re not in profit mode – we’re not trying to rush anything,” Luke emphasises.
“We want to do it properly – running out a full campaign and getting models that suit our style.”
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Despite its unwavering commitment to standards, HEX has shown a fluidity since launching in November 2020 – tweaking its product offering whenever it feels suitable to do so.
A special product range was launched for the Euros, for example, and new items are introduced according to demand.
Now, the next step is determining where HEX sits in terms of wider culture. And Luke thinks he knows where that place is.
Plans are already underway to turn HEX into the clothing line of Manchester’s underground music scene – including collaborations with up-and-coming local artists.
The brand already has that urban feel to it, and after seeing a number of celebrities donning HEX gear, Luke says the brand is now working on striking agreements with those in the creative industry.
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“Manchester has got this historic music scene, and we’ve been having some exciting conversations with some big people in that world,” he explains.
HEX offers a range of items that blend premium with casual
In time, Luke says he wants the brand to go worldwide in a similar way to Madchester – pushing the HEX logo across continents.
But one thing about the brand that will remain intact is the focus on providing premium products.
Everything about HEX screams quality – from the design and fabrics used to the packaging in which the clothing arrives.
“We’ve always wanted to create this great user experience,” Luke says.
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“It’s not just about the product, but the packaging you get when you open the parcel.
“I think part of the power is in the reveal as well as the product. We get a lot of people sending our stuff out as presents because of that – it just looks good.
“There are no shipping costs for our customers, either. We want the user experience to be premium as well as the clothes.
“That will stay. We don’t want to sacrifice the user experience.”
The founders of HEX are hoping to take the brand worldwide in future
What started out as a “pandemic project” now has projected seven-figure sales in 2022.
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From absolutely nowhere, HEX is all set to become a seriously big player in the fashion market over the next few months.
The name is already splashed across the media and press pages. But as Luke testifies, this is only the beginning.
“Going worldwide is definitely our aim,” he clarifies.
“That’s where we want to take it. There’s lots of exciting things coming.”
View the full range of HEX MCR clothing on the brand’s official website.
Style
A local indie fashion brand is cleaning tired old trainers while handing out free shoes and ice cream
Danny Jones
A Manchester-based fashion brand is looking to give back to the community with a wholesome new initiative that will see a charitable trainer cleaning service swapped for a brand-new pair of shoes and free ice cream.
Nope, this is not a scam or some kind of prank, just a local indie label doing some lovely for the community and an important a crucial UK non-profit.
In case you’ve not come across the name before, we’re talking about rising sneaker makers KayKrepz, who are behind the increasingly popular model known as the ‘Kezy’, available in a select few colours.
Sneaker heads may have already spotted a select few pairs out on the streets of Manchester, where the designer’s story begins, but we have a very strong feeling you won’t get many other opportunities to get your hands on a pair of these for free.
The ‘Kezy’ in Earth GreenAnd in CreamA very fresh pair of creps, it has to be said – and who could say no to free shoes designed right here in Manchester? (Credit: Supplied)
Speaking to The Manc, creator Kezi told us that building a bit of a community and supporting the local area is just as important as growing the brand itself.
“I really wanted to have a shoe brand that people can afford to buy that are also still comfortable as well as look and feel nice, plus it’s a good way to gather unwanted items to give to Centrepoint.” We couldn’t agree more.
For anyone unfamiliar with Centrepoint, who have a big base here in Greater Manchester, they are a nationwide charity that combats rough sleeping and specialises in youth homelessness, in particular.
It goes without saying that collecting free articles of clothing is an integral part of their work.
So, with that in mind, Kezi and co will be holding ‘The Sweet Swap’, where those who attend can exchange their unwanted, old shoes for a free pair of KayKrepzAND a scoop of premium ice cream.
This is all in return for a free shoe cleaning service which will see those same trainers traded in, given some much-needed TLC, before being donated directly to Centrepoint. Love it.
We’ll back pretty much any small business trying to make it in our region, but it’s fair to say getting behind causes like these is especially easy.
Including the new ‘Butterscotch’ model, the Kezy shoe is usually priced at £69.99, making it arguably one of the most affordable high-end, top-quality trainers on the market at the moment.
Naturally, there will only be a limited number of pairs available and shoes handed in must be of a good enough quality to be passed on via the charity; KayKrepz’s Street Swap scheme will be operating on a strictly first-come, first-served basis.
Taking place on Sunday, 1 June at All Saints Park (M15 6BW). You can reserve your limited free tickets right now from the event page HERE.
Just make sure to leave your name and shoe size when signing up.
Luxury tattoo studio with world-famous clients to open in Manchester for the first time
Daisy Jackson
A tattoo studio with a roster of VIP clients is heading to Manchester, as The London Social prepares to open The Manchester Social.
The world-renowned studio, which counts celebs like David Beckham, Kobbie Mainoo, Declan Rice and Sam Smith as its clients, is opening its first site outside of the capital.
Set to open next week, The Manchester Social tattoo studio will span three floors and 2,200 sq ft on King Street.
They say this new tattoo parlour will be ‘serve Manchester’s elite’ and offer a convenient location for existing regulars, including Luke Shaw and Mason Mount.
The Manchester Social studio will offer the same bespoke tattoo experiences and world-class artistry it’s famous for, but with eight new artists, all from the Manchester city region.
The business is headed up by Miles Langford – named by The Times as one of the world’s most exclusive tattoo artists – and already has tattoo parlours in Fitzrovia, Soho and Angel in London.
It’s famed for fine-line specialty designs and will bring a luxury tattoo space to the historic King Street for the first time.
Miles Langford, founder of The London Social, said: “Opening our first location outside of London is a huge step in our business journey but Manchester seemed like the obvious choice.
Inside The Manchester Social. Credit: Supplied
“A key selling point for me was the building and its location. King Street is known for being the epicentre of luxury in Manchester so it was a no brainer for us to make the decision on where we would fit in best.
“An indescribable amount of hard work has gone into making this store one of our best yet, all whilst maintaining its Manchester foundations and we can’t wait for Manchester to get the experience that our London clients love so well.”
Holly Whitcomb, associate director at DTZ Investors, said: “We’re incredibly excited to welcome such an exclusive brand like The London Social to King Street.
“King Street is known for being the go-to place for luxury retail and leisure and addition of The Manchester Social will be help to diversify the offering on the street, aligning with our ambitions to be a go-to destination in Manchester City Centre.
“From its VIP feel, to star-studded clientele, we’re looking forward to seeing footfall soar on the street.”
The Manchester Social will open on Saturday 5 April at 9 South King Street – find out more HERE.
The Manc -
30th July 2021 
