Manchester has always been a popular place for shoppers seeking top brands. But the city isalso home to small independent creatives making different choices in their clothing.
Sustainable fashion has gained popularity over recent years – with a trend known as ‘slow fashion’ emerging.
Like the name suggests, slow fashion is based on quality and durability, rather than rapidly producing on-trend garments that aren’t necessarily made to last.
Slow fashion brands aim to create clothing that will last for a lifetime in your wardrobe, but they are also kinder to the environment and factory workers in the process.
If you still consider Manchester as something of a fast fashion capital, it’s worth checking out these brands doing amazing work for sustainability in the city.
Phloem was established in 2019, after founders spent a summer travelling through Norway and Sweden while being immersed in nature.
The owners brought this newfound interest in the environment back to Manchester, establishing a fashion brand that is actively campaigning for change and remains dedicated to creating organic, sustainable and ethical garments.
ADVERTISEMENT
“It’s become increasingly urgent that something is done to try and tackle the environmental impact that our fashion industry currently has,” says Phloem.
“We have done everything we can to ensure that the production of our garments limits their impact on the environment, and each piece of clothing last for years to come.”
There’s a common misconception that slow fashion pieces are only to be worn on special occasions or important events, but Nemcee is combatting this with everyday clothing options.
ADVERTISEMENT
Nemcee is a slow, unisex brand that makes a variety of clothes to ‘go out and live your life in’, opting for timeless pieces that you will love regardless of the season.
Everything is made to order right here in Manchester, too – which limits waste.
Nemcee also strived to support the frontline during the pandemic, launching the ‘Do Good Project’ to assist with the shortage of scrubs available for NHS workers.
The Bee Thrive was created in response to what founders believe is a broken fashion industry – creating high quality garments made to last, without style being compromised.
The brand is radically transparent and determined to use the platform to enact change within the industry.
ADVERTISEMENT
“We are unapologetically political,” says the brand
“And [we] use our brand voice to support women’s rights, garment workers’ rights, environmental sustainability and climate restoration.”
Bee Thrive garments are tailored to the exact needs of the UK’s women, whether that is in the workplace or whilst working from home.
Style
There’s a studio in Manchester with welded jewellery and a build-your-own-necklace charm bar
Daisy Jackson
An independent jewellery studio in Manchester is tapping into the welded jewellery craze, offering customisable permanent bracelets, necklaces and loads more.
Aureli is the brainchild of Georgina Dunn, and as well as these increasingly popular welded pieces, is offering a charm bar where Mancs can build their own charm jewellery.
The studio is tucked away on Chapel Street, a stone’s throw from Manchester city centre.
Inside the space, you’ll find shelves full of different chains, from dainty links to chunkier rope styles, all available in gold, silver, rose gold or even mixed metal – you choose your poison.
These can then be cut to measure and welded to your person, either as a bracelet, an anklet, a ring or a hand chain.
You can add in tiny charms, like letters, birth stones, and symbols, for a piece of jewellery that’s truly unique to you and that will stay with you.
Terrified of commitment and getting a piece of jewellery literally welded to your body? No stress – Georgina can also add on tiny clasps so that you can take your treasure off whenever you like.
And for fans of chunkier, more statement pieces, you can also book a workshop in the Aureli charm bar.
Georgina fitting a welded braceletGeorgina Dunn, owner of AureliYou can have welded anklets tooAureli offers welded jewellery in ManchesterYou can customise your welded jewellery at the studio in ManchesterSome of the chains on offer at AureliThe charm bar at AureliThe beautiful Aureli studio in Manchester
Here, there are hundreds of playful charms to pick from, like enamel-coated colourful fruit, metal cowboy boots, cherubs, hearts, pearls, and LOADS more.
Georgina can then talk you through the process of hand-fixing each charm to your chosen piece of jewellery, whether you’ve gone for a chunky necklace, a bracelet, or a phone charm.
Georgina has a fashion background and says: “I always knew I wanted my own brand, I just didn’t feel like clothing was the right choice.
“I’d always made my own jewellery as a hobby and had a friend who’d seen permanent jewellery in Australia – so decided to bring that concept to Manchester.”
Two years ago, she started trading at The Makers Market around Greater Manchester, while still working full-time as a teacher.
Aureli absolutely took off, and she’s now appeared in Vogue magazine as well as at events for brands like Sephora and BPerfect.
Aureli is located on Chapel Street in Salford and you can find out more HERE.
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.
Daisy Bradbury -
29th January 2021 
