Last week saw the birth of a new networking group in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. Known as the creative quarter of the city; this was a very fitting location for a group of like-minded fashion individuals to converge for some informal networking as well as enjoying a spot of tea and cake.
The Fashion Retro Meet-Up was the brainchild of Collette Costello, a local fashion designer who specialises in vintage style fashion. Collette who also runs dressmaking courses from her Salford Quays studio, embarked on the idea of a northern networking group after realising that the majority of networking events were always down south, London in particular.
When money is tight and people are out of work, it is even more difficult for them to network effectively, this is where the Fashion Retro Meet-Up comes in. The premise behind the group is to bring together those working in fashion in the Greater Manchester Area. Be it designers, models, make-up artists, photographers, bloggers, students, event organisers, stylists and dressers, anyone with a link to fashion, who wants to make useful contacts.
You can contact Collette either by Email, Facebook or Twitter
So who was at the first Fashion Retro meet-up?
The Designers
Other than event organiser Collette, there were a few other designers in attendance Hamad, Charlotte and Lucy.
Hamad
Having worked for several well-known fashion houses Hamad has branched out on his own and with his self-confessed hatred of “fashion” his work strives for a more pure aspect of style. Although his talent does not lie solely in design Hamad is also a keen photographer who has recently moved into creative/artistic photography. Rather than separating the two entities Hamad sees fashion as a form of art and combined with his radical thinking, his designs are highly inspired and challenge our preconceptions.
Currently Hamad does not have a website but visit his Facebook page to see more.
Charlotte Workman
Another group member who has taken the brave step into the world of starting up her own business was Charlotte. Having previously worked as a commercial fashion designer within the industry until she was made redundant, she is now utilising the skills she learnt to design and construct an up-cycled collection. What is up-cycling I hear you say? Up-cycling is the art of re-using unwanted items/materials by converting them into something better, in this case into cool fashion garments.
Unfortunately at this time we have no contact details for Charlotte but once we do we will add them here.
Lucy
As a textile designer, Lucy specialises in designing digital prints that are coverted onto fashion apparel such as handbags and silk scarves. You can purchase items from her collection on www.notonthehighstreet.com.
The Photographers
Next up we had a couple of photographers, coincidentally both called Sam.
Samar Hayat – Open Eye Photo
Self taught photographer Samar, is a very talented artist who loves photographing people. Always willing to try new ideas by playing around with lights and effects, he generates some stunning pictures. His brand motto is “Photography with style” and looking at his portfolio you definitely get that! He specialises in weddings, portraits, band images and event photography.
To contact Samar email: sam@openeyephoto.com and check out his website.
Sam Jones- JonescoPhotography
Our other talented photographer who attended on the day was Sam Jones. Based in Didsbury- South Manchester, Sam has a penchant for working on location. His work includes fashion & model shoots, still life, street inspired imagery, weddings and portraits. Check out his blog which is jam-packed full of great images that showcase this artful photographer.
To contact Sam email: sam@jonescophotography.com
Other Creatives
The rest of the group was made up of people from a variety of different job roles within fashion.
Cat Jones
No relation to Sam as far as I know!! Cat was another victim of the recession having also been made redundant from her previous commercial fashion designer role. A skillful illustrator, freelance designer and extremely market saavy, she has now set her mind on starting her own business making soft toys in between working as an account manager at digital agency 15 Watts Ltd.
You can follow Cat on Twitter.
Lucy Sykes
Our very own Spend Vs Save guru Lucy Sykes attended this event. Promoting not only our wonderful website but also another project that she is involved with. Lucy is the social media specialist at Independent Boutique a website that showcases “the best independent British brands under one roof.”
Sue Earlam
Born in the wrong era, Susie has dedicated her life to living the old fashioned way (with the added bonus of today’s mod-cons of course). This lover of all things vintage is a stay-at-home Mum who writes two blogs: Old Fashion Susie that features her Agony Aunt Susie section which also featured in Vintage Magazine. Agony Aunt Susie answers problem page questions in a vintage manner. Her other blog Vintage Manchester is a directory packed to the rafters of events and places to shop, in a not so directory format- it is definitely a go to site if vintage is your thing!
Lucy and Grace
Keeping with the vintage theme, Lucy and Grace known as the “Thriftettes” are Vintage Fair Organisers. They set up their business to bring “on trend designs and wearable vintage clothing to people just like them”. They aim to bring vintage fairs to the center of Manchester making it much more accessible to people.
Their first “Vintage Fair” will be held on the 4th February, at the Central Methodist Hall, Oldham Street, Manchester. Opening times will be 10:30am until 5pm. Entry is free and includes vintage tunes and a retro tea party.
Another great reason to pop down to the vintage fair is that the fair is also going to be the venue of the next Fashion Retro Networking Event. With this being a weekend networking event it is ideal for people that work mid-week. Just to make things a bit more fun and also to identify everyone at the meet-up there is a theme to wear something spotty!! All the details about the networking event can be found here.
So come along and meet some great people and make some useful contacts. We look forward to seeing everyone there!!
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