Designer fashion shoots are expensive, and labour-intensive, and require huge crews and lots of models and make-up and stylists and other talented individuals.
Usually, you’ll see these campaigns being shot in big cities like London, Milan, New York, or inside state-of-the-art studio spaces.
So it’s been a pleasant surprise for many here in the north west this week when it emerged that Vivienne Westwood, one of the world’s most famous and prestigious brands, picked a tiny village up north to shoot their latest campaign.
The fashion house rocked up in Tintwistle, just on the outskirts of Greater Manchester, for its autumn-winter 2023/2024 collection.
The location near Glossop was chosen as it was the birthplace of iconic designer Dame Vivienne Westwood, who sadly died late last year at the age of 81.
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This northern icon never forgot her roots in the Peak District, regularly revisiting her old school to inspire the next generation of Glossopians.
In the stunning photographs released this week, the Vivienne Westwood clothing collection is styled against various locations around the High Peak village – and fans and locals are absolutely loving it.
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Images from the latest Vivienne Westwood campaign, shot around Tintwistle. Credit: Vivienne Westwood
In one photo, a striking model in a short bridal dress poses in front of a football net in a field. In another, a grey-haired, grey-bearded model shows off a kilt against a pebble-dashed wall, with a row of terraced houses behind him.
Other backdrops include street signs, drain pipes, ginnels, allotments, playing fields, and all sorts of other scenes that will be very familiar to those of us who grew up here in the north west.
Commenting on the collection, one delighted local wrote: “So delighted you came to the village with this collection. Just perfectly surreal and wayward. Thank you xx.”
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Glossop Creates shared: “Take a look at this! Thanks to @FollowWestwood for showing the world where Vivienne’s creative journey began. So inspirational for our town!”
Another person said: “Wonderful to see our local area represented in the latest @FollowWestwood campaign, in memory of Vivienne. I’m sure we’ll have future designers at @LHS_HighSchool that will be inspired by this.”
And Thom Hetherington, a proud advocate for the area, tweeted: “How fabulous, the entire @FollowWestwood AW2334 campaign was shot right here in Glossopdale, in Vivienne’s home village of Tintwistle. I love that she never forgot her roots, and indeed is buried in the churchyard there. Great shoot!”
Andreas Kronthaler, Dame Vivienne’s widower, said: “It’s lovely being able to show and share where Vivienne is from.”
The campaign was photographed by Juergen Teller and its creative partner was Dovile Drizyte.
Unknown Mortal Orchestra announce Manchester gig among just a handful of UK dates on European tour
Danny Jones
One of our favourite live acts we’ve ever seen is coming back to Manchester as Unknown Mortal Orchestra are set for a stunning return to the city – and at one of our most beloved venues, no less.
The New Zealand psychedelia-infused rock and indie outfit may not be on everyone’s radar just yet, but the genre-bending outfit is comfortably up there with some of the best we’ve ever had the privilege of seeing in the flesh.
Currently based in Portland, Oregon, in the States, Unknown Mortal Orchestra (UMO) is fronted by multi-instrumentalist and visionary experimentalist producer, Ruban Nielson, who first began the project on his own over a decade and a half ago.
Closer to a three-piece these days, you won’t find many bands that boast a collection of such varied and talented musicians, and they’re heading to Albert Hall.
As detailed by Albert Hall themselves, this show is also just one among a very small handful of dates here in the UK as part of their run of shows across Europe.
Other shows include one on the night following their Manchester gig over in Yorkshire, which our friends at The Sheff will no doubt be buzzing about, as well as on opening night at Barrowland in Glasgow ahead of a four-show residency in London.
Dubbing their work as nothing short of “psychedelic mastery” (we couldn’t agree more), the iconic live music space will be welcoming them early next year after landing on the mainland continent.
Other stops on the 2026 Unknown Mortal Orchestra European tour include Lithuania, Latvia and Poland; Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Holland, Belgium and Paris.
Now consisting of Nielsen, bassist Jacob Portait, and often Ruban’s brother as well as fellow singer-songwriter, musician and engineer, Kody Neilson – also known for his work with The Mint Chicks, Opossom, Silicone and more – all of whom are as talented in the studio as they are on stage.
They also happen to have one of our favourite Tiny Desks of all time.
Sorry, but this HAS to be up in there in the top 10.
The London residency already looks to be in high demand, so you can bet their only date here in Manchester and at a venue like Albert Hall will sell out extremely fast.
As well as an entirely instrumental outing earlier this year, UMO also dropped their latest EP entitled CURSE back in June, and it’s fair to say it’s some of the most ‘out-there’ material to date.
If you haven’t listened to it yet and are just expecting more art-poppy indie bops like ‘Hunnybee’, you couldn’t be more wrong…
Unknown Mortal Orchestra play the Albert Hall in Manchester on Friday, 27 March, and you can get ready to grab your tickets right HERE.
Kore Studios – A new reformer pilates studio with a smoothie and acai bar has opened in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
A brand-new reformer pilates studio has opened in Manchester, with its own on-site acai bowl and smoothie bar.
Kore Studios is a new wellness destination for the city, just off the busy drag of Deansgate.
It’s a design-led, calming space, all neutral natural textures and soft lighting, with 12 premium reformer beds in the studio and a full health bar in the front.
On the menu here you’ll find a menu of nutritious smoothies, juices, acai bowls and matchas, including beautiful dupes of the viral Erewhon smoothies.
Highlights from the Kore Studios acai menu include the Amazon Classic with banana, strawberries, granola and coconut, and the Power Bowl with peanut butter, banana, chia seeds and almond butter.
There are also tropical acai bowls, and some piled with a dollop of Nutella for more of a treat.
As for the smoothies, expect drinks like the Avocado Matcha Magic, a Tropical Sunshine, and a Green Glow Detox, plus a selection of flavoured matchas.
Erewhon dupe smoothies at Kore StudiosKore Studios – A new reformer pilates studio with a smoothie and acai bar has opened in ManchesterA selection of acai bowlsInside the Kore Studios smoothie and acai barThere are 12 reformer pilates bedsThe beautiful changing rooms at Kore Studios
The fitness studio itself at Kore Studios brings another reformer pilates spot to Manchester, with top-quality equipment stashed within reaching distance of every bed (no awkward queueing to grab a set of hand weights).
The team have gathered some of the city’s top instructors together for a best-in-class schedule of reformer pilates sessions, as well as mat pilates and barre classes, with something to suit all abilities.
Kore Studios is open now at 31-33 King Street West in Manchester city centre.
Memberships start at £80 per month with a special £10 introductory offer class aimed at first-timers.
Daisy Jackson -
14th July 2023 
