Even in the face of the pandemic, one Chorlton-based not-for-profit has continued to do its bit to improve the fashion industry, one stitch at a time.
Stitched Up’s sustainable clothing mission started in 2011 – as six women joined forces with the goal of encouraging individuality and sustainability through style.
Almost 10 years later, the organisation has proven that sustainable clothing is accessible for everyone – and there’s no need to compromise on style in the process.
Stitched Up offers a creative, environmentally-friendly alternative to chain retail stores, educating Manchester’s population about the pitfalls of the fast fashion industry.
This is achieved through their countless upcycling workshops, clothes swaps, and educational talks dedicated to people of all ages and abilities.
Stiched Up ordinarily offers workshops across Greater Manchester, but the pandemic has prompted the team to rethink their strategies and focus on their social platform.
Staff have been using their online space to host a variety of resources – from video tutorials on how to rework old clothing to petitions and campaigns for important movements within fashion.
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They have even started fundraising to create a sustainable sewing group for locals struggling with mental health and social isolation during the pandemic.
“This was very challenging for some of our participants because they’d never even heard of Zoom,” says Bryony, a member of the Stitched Up team.
“…they were suddenly taking part in a very different project than the one they signed up for.”
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Stitched Up has also passed on clothing repair expertise online through video tutorials that are released weekly – allowing people to upcycle their wardrobe from home.
“Each guide takes you step-by-step through a project from start to finish. Our subscribers pay £3 per month to access a new video every Friday.”
“It’s been really fun thinking up a new project every single week – luckily, we have no shortage of ideas!”
Sustainability is more important now than ever for the team at Stitched Up, as the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the use of disposable face masks and made ordering from fast fashion sites easier whilst charity shops have faced mass closures.
Manchester has always felt like a fitting home for the Stitched Up project – which has been welcomed with “open arms” into the area.
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“Generally, Mancunians have a really strong sense of style and individuality, as well as resilience and resourcefulness, and all of these things lend themselves really well to thinking more independently about fashion and what we wear.”
It appears that Manchester is at the forefront of sustainable fashion, but the use of digital platforms has also enabled Stitched Up to bring their missions to a wider audience.
“Our weekly video guides have enabled us to reach people from further afield than Manchester or even the UK,” says Bryony, “and we’re glad to have found a way to reach people online during the pandemic.”
However, nothing can quite replace the experience of face-to-face upcycling within Manchester.
“The social interaction with the people of Manchester is a hugely important part of what we do – so we can’t wait to get back to seeing people’s faces in real life!”
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Whilst the team are looking forward to normality returning and their in-person workshops resuming, there are also various new launches on the horizon for Stitched Up.
“Next month we’ll be launching some new kits with accompanying video tutorials to help you repair and rework your clothes at home and our reclaimed fabric store is going online.”
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 -
25th November 2020 
