As the summer calendar begins to fill out with social events and pub trips, you may be looking to freshen up your wardrobe.
For a laidback look, Bond in Didsbury is your best bet.
From full-length baggy jumpsuits to dressier threads, Bond offers a vast selection of modern, comfortable clothes that don’t skimp on style.
This independent fashion store and boutique has been styling women in Greater Manchester since opening their doors in 2007 – and have since become renowned for trendy jumpsuits.
Focused on blending casual and summerwear, Bond boutique has long been a local favourite – but is beginning to gain traction outside of the Manchester borough.
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The brand has begun introducing new items on their website daily – including the best of current styles from renowned brands like Vero Moda and VILA.
Their newest gem is the Desert Sand collection, which offers a range of neutral mix and match pieces that bring their comfort-loving style into the summer months.
If you’re visiting Didsbury, Bond is a must-see boutique for your latest wardrobe refresh and to gain on-hand advice from their stylists.
Their gorgeous garms are also available to shop on the Bond website.
Style
River Island opens ENORMOUS new Trafford Centre store, with high-tech changing rooms
Daisy Jackson
The Trafford Centre has today welcomed a brand new River Island store – and it’s absolutely massive.
With high-tech changing rooms, an in-store coffee tuk tuk, and a huge selection of the high street brand’s clothing, the old Topshop unit has been completely transformed.
River Island’s brand new concept store spans 21,000 sq ft and has opened its doors for a weekend-long fashion event over this weekend.
One of its major selling points is the high-tech, interactive changing rooms, which detect which items you’ve carried into the space with you.
Then, if something’s not quite the right size or fit, you can use the touch pad in your changing room to request a new size, without having to traipse back across the huge site.
The changing rooms look beautiful too, decorated with pink floral wallpaper on walls and ceiling, plus huge black-lit mirrors to see your new outfit from all angles.
The changing rooms in River Island. Credit: The Manc GroupOutside River Island in Manchester. Credit: The Manc GroupAccessories display. Credit: The Manc Group
Back in the main store and everything’s split neatly into three departments – women’s, men’s, and kid’s.
The largest space has been stripped back to brick, with natural drapes, plants, and soft lighting suspended from the industrial ceiling.
There are boho rugs chucked about and marble tables displaying River Island’s huge range of accessories.
And on the men’s side of things, the seating has been taken from a car, and coffee tables are made from engines.
The new Trafford Centre shop was launched today with the help of Louise Roe, a fashion journalist and broadcaster, who hosted a styling workshop.
Menswear at River Island. Credit: The Manc GroupComplimentary floral bouquets from The Bud & Pot. Credit: The Manc GroupMenswear at River Island. Credit: The Manc Group
Gemma Scarfe, digital and marketing director, said: “We are extremely excited to announce that River Island is opening a brand new store in the Trafford Centre.
“Manchester has been on our radar for some time; it has continued to receive huge investment over the last few years and has cemented its position as a world-class city.
“We’re delighted to have identified a new, larger retail space that will deliver a fun and refreshing shopping experience to our loyal customers as well as complement the thriving city.”
Bruce Gardner, brand experience director at Trafford Centre, said: “River Island is a high street giant and hugely popular brand with our visitors, so we’re really excited to see their stunning, vibrant new store open in a new location here at The Trafford Centre.”
As part of River Island’s launch weekend, shoppers who spend more than £75 will be able to take home a complimentary flower bouquet from The Bud & Pot.
River Island’s new store is open now at the Trafford Centre.
Featured image: The Manc Group
Style
Northern brand creating genuinely flattering activewear to launch in Harvey Nichols Manchester
Daisy Jackson
A fashion brand that’s carving out a niche for flattering, colourful activewear will be launching inside Harvey Nichols Manchester this week.
Red Run has been created by women, for women, understanding the importance of having exercise gear that’s well-fitting and comfortable.
Their collections are made with a range of sustainable, sweat-wicking fabrics, always with a fashion-forward design.
Promising to be ‘a new beginning for activewear’, Red Run’s launch into Harvey Nichols will coincide with the arrival of their new SS23 seasonal collection, Azalea.
Azalea will draw inspiration from the colourful and fast-paced world of motor cross racing, with a 20-piece collection that’s ‘guaranteed to turn heads’.
Red Run is launching at Harvey Nichols Manchester. Credit: Supplied
Red Run has prided itself on its ultra-inclusive trend-led approach to fashion – in fact, their Sculpt & Perky leggings are said to be the best fit in the industry.
And soon you’ll be able to see it for yourself with their exclusive pop-up at Harvey Nichols Manchester.
In the Azalea collection, pieces will include colourful printed sweaters, lightweight running shorts and supportive cycling shorts, and a waterproof, windproof jacket that will work for both sports and all those summer festivals.
The BCI cotton used in Red Run’s collections uses sustainable farming practices that reduce water usage, minimise the use of harmful pesticides and fertilisers, all whilst promoting fair labour practices.
The northern brand also uses recycled tensile fabrics from post-consumer waste materials, like plastic bottles and textile scraps, transforming them into high-quality fabrics.
But there’s never a compromise on quality, with every item in the Azalea collection featuring premium quality fabrics, technical designs and complimentary silhouettes.
Megan Kimmance, Creative Director & Co-Founder of Red Run, said: “Red Run has a very specific visual aesthetic – it’s our point of difference. Seasonal collections will always be bold and vibrant inspired by seasonal trends featuring various fabrics and Azalea is no exception.
“I have used this collection to be more experimental than ever, introducing new styles, fabrics and silhouettes.
“This collection is a step above active streetwear as we know it and is more adaptable than previous Red Run collections. For example, the technical pull trousers are a total game changer – they can be styled with a heeled sandal as well as a vibrant sneaker.
“The Azalea campaign shows the multiple dimensions of the collection – all the pieces can be mixed and matched enabling the consumer to achieve multiple full provision looks without having to purchase the entire collection. The colours I chose shouldn’t work, but they just do.”
Red Run will be live at Harvey Nichols Manchester from 6 May 2023. You can browse and shop their activewear at redrunactivewear.com.
Daisy Bradbury -
2nd July 2021 
