Stores like Cow Vintage, Blue Rinse, and Pop Boutique, not to mention the numerous charity shops and pop-ups that line Oldham Street, have turned that corner of town into a haven for lovers of the fashions of yesteryear.
But now there’s a new outpost in the heart of Chinatown – and it’s possibly the most stylish, charming vintage store in the city yet.
Stare Society opened last December, and has put some serious effort into both sourcing the items it sells, and decorating the space it sells them from.
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Tucked away up a flight of stairs in a corner unit above Red Chilli, you’ve probably walked straight past it a dozen times already.
Stare Society in Chinatown, Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
But glance up above the long-standing Chinese restaurant and you’ll notice a slowly rotating disco ball in the window, giving just a taste of all the treats in store.
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Venture inside and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped right back in time to the 1970s, greeted by the sound of Fleetwood Mac being piped through the speakers (the legendary group are also the stars of a huge framed photo above the fireplace inside).
Stare Society is decorated to the nines – fringed lampshades, rattan screens, glitter ball plant pots, guitars, and a huge leopard print chaise lounge in the window, draped in retro-printed cushions, vinyl records and vintage hats.
There are 1970s-inspired scented candles named things like Cherry Bomb, Tiny Dancer and Rebel Rebel, and all sorts of knick-knacks (sunglasses, tiny mirrors, antique glassware) hailing back to the glory days of rock n roll.
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Then there’s the clothes – racks full of leather jackets, leopard-print furry coats, and fringed suede waistcoats.
Retro t-shirts with contrasting collars, with ‘Manchester 1970’ and ‘Chinatown 1970’ scrawled across them.
Cowboy boots painted with stars, piles of colourful felt berets, and loudly-patterned blouses.
The space is so beautiful, it’s actually available to hire, for things like photoshoots and private events, with a vision to host intimate gigs inside in the future.
Stare Society joins the booming vintage scene in Manchester, like Bare Necessities, the online giant that recently hosted a pop-up store on High Street that everyone lost their minds over.
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You’ll find Stare Society at 20 Nicholas Street on the edge of Chinatown in Manchester.
Featured image: The Manc Group
Shopping
Viral ‘colour analysis’ trend now available at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet
Daisy Jackson
Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet is preparing for summer with a series of brilliant fashion events – including jumping on the colour analysis craze.
The viral sensation which helps people to dress in their most flattering colours is now heading to the popular shopping destination.
Free consultations with expert colourists will tell you your ‘colour season’ and whether you’re warm or cool toned, pointing out the colours that will make your face quite literally light up.
Then armed with your new-found appreciation for your own favourite colour, you can browse a rail of pre-selected clothing from Pinko, Reiss and many other brands, or head out shopping around the many other brands based at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet.
It’s all part of The Great Dress Up campaign running this spring/summer, which celebrates fun childhood memories of playing dress-up.
Viral ‘colour analysis’ trend now available at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet
The last few weeks has also seen Cheshire Oaks have a spring makeover, with a vibrant flower wall and colourful seating areas.
The free Colour Theory consultations launched last weekend and will continue on May bank holiday weekend, with bookings available on 4 and 5 May.
Colour analysis is a trend which has taken over TikTok, designed to assign individuals with their most flattering colours based on complexations, skin tones and other factors.
People can learn the dos and don’ts of colour at Cheshire Oaks with Kate Harrison and EWA.
The 20 minute one-to-one consultations will take place within the beautiful Spring Garden opposite Under Armour.
Cheshire Oaks is hosting The Great Dress Up series of events this summer
Shoppers can sit back and relax while more than 30 different fabric swatches are draped across your shoulders to determine your perfect colour palette.
Free expert talks will help you to learn about the importance of knowing your colours and what they mean for your style.
There are bounce back vouchers to the stores involved in the event as well as goodie bags containing a gift bag with colour swatches and more treats.
Visitors can either pre-book a session or snap up one of the limited walk-in appointments available on 4 and 5 May.
For more information and to book an appointment visit: mcarthurglen.com
KFC have launched their own perfume – oh, and a new burger
Danny Jones
Fast food giants KFC have launched their very own perfume in one of the weirdest marketing stunts we’ve seen in a long while.
That being said, we definitely want a bottle.
KFC‘s fried chicken-themed fragrance launches next month and is fashionably named ‘No 11 Eau de BBQ’, a nod to their newest menu item, the Ultimate BBQ Burger, which we also want in our possession as soon as humanly possible.
The franchise’s new signature scent launches in just a week’s time and, yes, you can genuinely buy it along with the new burger for a limited time only.
Again, this is a real thing you can pay actual money for. (Credit: KFC UKI)
The UK-only release actually sold out when it came to pre-orders but Brits will be able to get their hands on another batch when the second lot drops on 7 May.
Promising a charcoal and smoky wood-scented aroma that immediately transports you to your mate’s back garden as he turns cheap burger patties into overly blackened dry pucks of meat that you definitely would’ve cooked better if you were in charge, the stunt is also helping raise money for non-profits.
Available in 100ml bottles and for just £11, 100% of the proceeds of every sale will go towards the KFC Foundation, which supports grassroots organisations empowering young people to unleash their potential and build a positive future in local communities across the country.
As for the burger that inspired it, the special edition menu item is a nod to BBQ season gradually approaching and they’ve even made a nod to our famously reliable British weather and its attempts to derail the art of outdoor grilling in a new advert.
KFC perfume and a new burger? Christmas has come well early this year.
The Ultimate BBQ Burger has already launched and will be on the menu until 9 June, priced at £6.49 or £9.99 for a box meal which comes with the burger, a regular mini fillet, regular fries, BBQ sauce and a drink.
And don’t worry, it’ll be available on delivery too — we know we’ve had problems with that when it comes to specials in the past.
As KFC’s No 11 Eau de BBQ perfume, you can wait in the online queue like everyone else HERE and let’s just say you’ll be fighting us and plenty of other Mancs for every last drop.
Daisy Jackson -
2nd February 2023 
