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.
A local indie fashion brand is cleaning tired old trainers while handing out free shoes and ice cream
Danny Jones
A Manchester-based fashion brand is looking to give back to the community with a wholesome new initiative that will see a charitable trainer cleaning service swapped for a brand-new pair of shoes and free ice cream.
Nope, this is not a scam or some kind of prank, just a local indie label doing some lovely for the community and an important a crucial UK non-profit.
In case you’ve not come across the name before, we’re talking about rising sneaker makers KayKrepz, who are behind the increasingly popular model known as the ‘Kezy’, available in a select few colours.
Sneaker heads may have already spotted a select few pairs out on the streets of Manchester, where the designer’s story begins, but we have a very strong feeling you won’t get many other opportunities to get your hands on a pair of these for free.
The ‘Kezy’ in Earth GreenAnd in CreamA very fresh pair of creps, it has to be said – and who could say no to free shoes designed right here in Manchester? (Credit: Supplied)
Speaking to The Manc, creator Kezi told us that building a bit of a community and supporting the local area is just as important as growing the brand itself.
“I really wanted to have a shoe brand that people can afford to buy that are also still comfortable as well as look and feel nice, plus it’s a good way to gather unwanted items to give to Centrepoint.” We couldn’t agree more.
For anyone unfamiliar with Centrepoint, who have a big base here in Greater Manchester, they are a nationwide charity that combats rough sleeping and specialises in youth homelessness, in particular.
It goes without saying that collecting free articles of clothing is an integral part of their work.
So, with that in mind, Kezi and co will be holding ‘The Sweet Swap’, where those who attend can exchange their unwanted, old shoes for a free pair of KayKrepzAND a scoop of premium ice cream.
This is all in return for a free shoe cleaning service which will see those same trainers traded in, given some much-needed TLC, before being donated directly to Centrepoint. Love it.
We’ll back pretty much any small business trying to make it in our region, but it’s fair to say getting behind causes like these is especially easy.
Including the new ‘Butterscotch’ model, the Kezy shoe is usually priced at £69.99, making it arguably one of the most affordable high-end, top-quality trainers on the market at the moment.
Naturally, there will only be a limited number of pairs available and shoes handed in must be of a good enough quality to be passed on via the charity; KayKrepz’s Street Swap scheme will be operating on a strictly first-come, first-served basis.
Taking place at All Saints Park (M15 6BW). You can reserve your limited free tickets right now from the event page HERE.
Just make sure to leave your name and shoe size when signing up.
Luxury tattoo studio with world-famous clients to open in Manchester for the first time
Daisy Jackson
A tattoo studio with a roster of VIP clients is heading to Manchester, as The London Social prepares to open The Manchester Social.
The world-renowned studio, which counts celebs like David Beckham, Kobbie Mainoo, Declan Rice and Sam Smith as its clients, is opening its first site outside of the capital.
Set to open next week, The Manchester Social tattoo studio will span three floors and 2,200 sq ft on King Street.
They say this new tattoo parlour will be ‘serve Manchester’s elite’ and offer a convenient location for existing regulars, including Luke Shaw and Mason Mount.
The Manchester Social studio will offer the same bespoke tattoo experiences and world-class artistry it’s famous for, but with eight new artists, all from the Manchester city region.
The business is headed up by Miles Langford – named by The Times as one of the world’s most exclusive tattoo artists – and already has tattoo parlours in Fitzrovia, Soho and Angel in London.
It’s famed for fine-line specialty designs and will bring a luxury tattoo space to the historic King Street for the first time.
Miles Langford, founder of The London Social, said: “Opening our first location outside of London is a huge step in our business journey but Manchester seemed like the obvious choice.
Inside The Manchester Social. Credit: Supplied
“A key selling point for me was the building and its location. King Street is known for being the epicentre of luxury in Manchester so it was a no brainer for us to make the decision on where we would fit in best.
“An indescribable amount of hard work has gone into making this store one of our best yet, all whilst maintaining its Manchester foundations and we can’t wait for Manchester to get the experience that our London clients love so well.”
Holly Whitcomb, associate director at DTZ Investors, said: “We’re incredibly excited to welcome such an exclusive brand like The London Social to King Street.
“King Street is known for being the go-to place for luxury retail and leisure and addition of The Manchester Social will be help to diversify the offering on the street, aligning with our ambitions to be a go-to destination in Manchester City Centre.
“From its VIP feel, to star-studded clientele, we’re looking forward to seeing footfall soar on the street.”
The Manchester Social will open on Saturday 5 April at 9 South King Street – find out more HERE.
Daisy Jackson -
14th July 2023 
