After the turbulent year of 2020, we don’t blame you if you’re ready to reinvent your style and feel happier within yourself for the year ahead.
But doing so can be a challenge in itself, especially with the shops being closed yet again due to the country’s third national lockdown.
But on the plus side, there are some hidden gems within Manchester’s fashion scene that are offering the hottest new styles to take on 2021.
It’s more important now than ever to support our local businesses, and these up-and-coming clothing boutiques are definitely ones to keep on your radar this year.
We’ll definitely be seeing more slow fashion and eco-conscious alternatives make their way to the forefront in 2021, and one of the brands pioneering this in Manchester is The Norah Store.
ADVERTISEMENT
The team at The Norah Store moved into a new studio space between Christmas and New Year, promising lots of exciting launches including a new collection that we can expect to see in March.
From whimsical patterned socks to elegant dresses, this boutique is Manchester’s one-stop-shop for all of the latest styles that will be lifelong treasures in your wardrobe.
With many retail venues closed, finding outfits to fit your rapidly growing toddlers and children can be harder than ever.
But Be Diddy is a Manchester-based brand transforming the idea of old, tired hand-me-downs by curating an adorable collection of vintage garments for babies. You’d never be able to guess that these clothes are pre-loved!
All of their items are incredibly cute and cosy, leaving your toddler on top of the trends in a pair of Carhartt dungarees or a vintage jacket.
ADVERTISEMENT
They also offer a buy-back scheme which is a great way to return garments that your children have outgrown and try out some of their latest pieces and styles.
Their first clothing drop of 2021 is on January 15, so make sure you stay tuned on their Instagram page for a chance to bag some of these adorable creations.
While their boisterous and quirky clothing was a massive hit in Manchester, this year will see Hoyden get a complete makeover.
After deciding to leave their Afflecks store in favour of a home studio and discontinuing the previous product range, it’s clear that the brand will be completely reinvented in 2021.
Olivia Denny, the creator of Hoyden, is promising bigger and better things for this funky feminist boutique, but we will have to keep an eye out during 2021 as her vision is still completely under wraps.
If you want to inject some simplicity and serenity into your home and wardrobe this year, look no further than Nordic Muse.
The brand has recently closed their doors and are moving into a new space on Tib Street in the heart of Manchester’s Northern Quarter – when the pandemic permits, that is.
This change in location is just one of many exciting things to come for Nordic Muse in 2021, so if you are in the market for some Scandi-inspired homeware or elegant jewellery, this is one to remember.
A splash of colour and brightness is definitely something we could use in our lives and wardrobes right now.
Jeneral Store is home to a decadent selection of vintage finds and handcrafted accessories in a cheerful colour palette that is perfect for the transition into spring (maybe it’s a bit early, but we’re certainly ready for some sunshine).
ADVERTISEMENT
After the difficult decision to close down their Depop and Asos Marketplace platforms due to their overwhelming popularity, Jen is now dedicated fully to growing the Jeneral Store website and creating some gorgeous items for our wardrobes.
If you’re like us and not ready to part with the scrunchies trend, this is an absolute must-see!
Style
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 Bradbury -
8th January 2021 
