Grey Milk: The independent Mancunian fashion brand launched during lockdown
Bored of high street fashion? Take a look at Grey Milk a playful and positive Manchester-made independent clothing brand to add some colour to the closet.
A new, playful and positive Manchester-made clothing brand has been born in lockdown – an innovative line of clothing by the name of Grey Milk.
Created by Mancunian Gwen Harris, the retro clothing range is packed full of bright floral prints, bold designs and can be made to custom order.
The name Grey Milk reflects Gwen’s, bold, haphazard persona – which is emulated in her clothes. Inspiration for the sixties-style patterns came from a Nirvana single, with Gwen juxtaposing this theme with modern, on-trend, girly pieces of clothing.
From huge puffed sleeves to boxy, oversized mod dresses, the whole range is extremely versatile and can be adapted for any occasion.
Grey Milk
Using a degree in Fashion Design and experience working full-time in the print design industry, Gwen has successfully built a new brand by interacting with customers to create personal, bespoke garments and even craft a newsletter.
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“I’ve felt held back in the past whether that be due to lack of time, resources or money,” says Gwen.
“But as depressing as this whole situation is, I’ve been able to seize the opportunity and commit to launching Grey Milk.”
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The designer has chosen whimsical, unusual and dreamy female names for her clothes to allow customers to connect further with the brand.
So far, Grey Milk has the ORLA dress, the POLLY top, the FAYE skirt, the ELLA dress, the BETTY top, the MAGGIE dress, the CLEO top and the JOANIE trousers.
Grey Milk also prides itself on transparency and sustainability.
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Currently half the stock is made from natural and biodegradable fabrics, whereas the rest still uses polyester for silk and velvet.
Gwen’s clothes are 100% vegan and she has pledged her next range will be completely made out of natural, eco-friendly fabric.
Grey Milk
With high streets struggling, smaller UK brands with custom options could see a rise in popularity over the coming months.
Built-to-last garments are also in favour; and Grey Milk’s durably outfits could help to alter preconceptions of single-wear clothing.
The brand has already gained impressive traction – with Manchester influencer Faye Ellaby promoting the clothing on social media.
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Gwen has also utilised social media to run competitions where customers could design a new garment that they would like to see in the next range – with the winning design receiving a free Betty Top and their design brought to life.
Grey Milk is a brand which wants to bring joy and sustainability to shopping. And the fashion industry is sitting up to take notice.
Drama Call opening first-ever flagship shop in Manchester
Danny Jones
Streetwear superstars Drama Call are opening their new flagship store and first-ever permanent site in Manchester city centre this weekend.
Expect massive queues and lots turning up wearing the increasingly recognisable starry logo.
Already a much-loved brand not just here in 0161 but across the nation at large, the native independent business turned street-style favourites and UK fashion phenomenon are no strangers to HUGE pop-ups in their hometown.
However, they’ve never had a mainstay location anywhere in the country, let alone Greater Manchester – well, until now, that is…
Credit: Press shots (supplied)
Debuting in the Northern Quarter this Sunday, the venue located on Tib Street will effectively serve as Drama Call‘s new HQ.
The local label has done everything from popping up vans with Manc rapper Aitch to collaborating with Man United for multiple limited edition collections, so it only felt like a matter of time before they’d make a big brick-and-mortar splash in our fair city.
Most notably, they’re also taking over the same unit as the Sheep Shop, a former skate shop and legendary urban clothing tastemaker of the 90s; they were one of the first places in Britain to stock famous names like Stüssy, Supreme, Carhartt, The North Face and many more.
With that in mind, it feels only fitting that they carry on the trendsetting tradition from the same premises, and just spitting distance from the likes of Note, as well.
And that’s not all, either: before the full launch, they’ll also be holding an exclusive cash-only shirt swap event, where a limited number of certain collector’s items will be sold for as little as £10.
Other things to note are the additions of signed vinyls by homegrown artists such as the aforementioned Aitch and even The Smiths.
In fact, the store will also feature strictly Mancunian exclusives, too.
Everything from polo shirts and tees to branded mugs, matchboxes and other accessories will be available in-store only.
NQ is bound to be buzzing across launch weekend, with doors officially opening to the public on Sunday, and we wouldn’t be surprised if you see people camping outside the front well ahead of time.
What a moment the Manc shopping scene is having right now.
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied via Pear)
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Keo play Projekts: garage and grunge revivalists crush Manchester skatepark for new music video
Danny Jones
This past Thursday evening, fast-rising rock band Keo took over Projekts MCR skatepark for a special pop-up gig and to film a brand-new music video for their latest single, ‘Pistol’, starring some of their biggest fans here in Manchester.
In fact, it didn’t take long for us to suss out that plenty of them had flocked from far and wide to be there, and let’s say we’re sure they’ll say it was worth the journey.
We caught Keo’s well-attended festival set inside the Woodlands at Kendal Calling 2025, not to mention their completely sold-out show at the O2 Ritz back in March – their biggest headline date up to that point – and we’re more certain than ever that they’re going to be absolutely massive.
And if they keep up doing more memorable stuff like this, it’s just a matter of how soon…
Packing out Projekts to the point that people were literally hanging off fences and standing on electrical boxes at the side of the street to try and get a peek at the post-punk, grunge and garage rockers, some of their most enthusiastic young fans had been waiting outside the location as early as noon.
For context, doors opened six hours later, and the boys didn’t come on until 7:30pm.
Those who signed up to Keo‘s mailing list were sent information regarding securing a spot at the one-off performance earlier this month.
While you would have seen the place fill up even if they were just standard concert tickets, the fact that the band were taping the whole thing to use as the visuals for their newest single, as mentioned, meant that Keo’s avid followers were literally clamouring AND clambering to get the best view position possible.
Turning the popular skaters’ hub’s central bowl into a makeshift stage, with lights, camera, booms and various crew surrounding the entire venue, it was a surreal experience to say the least.
And, of course, they were absolutely brilliant – just as they were at the Ritz at the start of the year and Kendal before that, playing a short but sweet set that left everyone wanting more and choruses of punters chanting Keo long after the final song.
We can’t wait to see how the video itself turns out, especially seeing how much the people who wrapped around them and the skatepark were lost in the moment, and we’re also looking forward to them headlining Neighbourhood Fest in Manchester city centre this October.
You can grab a ticket to see them and the rest of the NBHD lineup right HERE, but until then, give the full studio version of ‘Pistol’ a play and get ready for their debut album.
Jess Walmsley -
16th June 2020 
