Wedding Fashion on a Budget

Posted on April 28, 2014 by alison

Creative ways to make sure that the wedding season doesn’t break the bank

We’re welcoming a new member to the 4Manchester Women team of regular guest writers today. Meet Sarah who writes her own blog, The Threadbare Fashionista. Sarah’s going to be helping us to get the most out of our wardrobe – and this time she’s tackling the money pit that is wedding outfits!

Over to you Sarah ……

Some people cry at weddings.

Is it because they know that like the bride, they’ll never wear their overpriced dress again?

Being a wedding guest is a costly business: a hotel, whatever’s left on the gift list, a few rounds at an eye-wateringly expensive bar.

Plus the hen weekend.

And you haven’t got an outfit yet, right?

WRONG!

If you’ve been to a few weddings over the last couple of years, you probably already have everything you need jammed in the back of your wardrobe.

So ask yourself – do you really need a whole new outfit that you might only wear once?

The youngest of 25 cousins, I’ve spent a loooot of time at weddings, been a bridesmaid four times and witnessed more nuptial frock-ups than a registrar.

I’ve never, EVER, bought an outfit just to wear to a wedding.

Maybe you think I’m some kind of nut. Maybe I am. But here’s how to be the best dressed wedding guest and still have a few pennies left in the bank.

If it looks like a bridesmaid’s dress, leave it on the rail

Chances are, the retailer thought so too and slapped a few extra quid on the price.

Shopping at wedding faves like Coast and Monsoon guarantees a beautiful outfit with matching accessories, but remember, everyone else is thinking the same.

Which is awkward when you rock up in the same frock as the bridesmaids (I should know, I WAS that bridesmaid).

Recycle, upcycle, swap

Find a friend or relative who’s a similar size and exchange outfits, or just buy one dress and change the shoes and accessories so it looks different every time. Boring? Maybe. Money saving? Definitely.

Controversial, but try separates instead of a dress

You’ll get much more wear out of a skirt or trousers and top than you will a dress. The skirt and top combo by Oasis (right hand side of the picture below) is a perfect example.

You don’t always need matching shoes and bag

Or each other. As long as they compliment and add something to the whole outfit, it’s all good. Personally I’ve worn gold shoes and a minky coloured leather bag I made myself for less than a tenner to pretty much every do I’ve been to in the last two years.

No one has turned their nose up. Yet.

Ditch the hat / fascinator

Unless you’re one of those uber cool types who can carry off a hat, don’t bother. Nobody looks cool in a fascinator.

Perhaps you’re thinking, so what does this smart alec wear to a wedding?

Here’s three of my outfits from weddings past. I confess, they’re not to everyone’s taste!

All I’m trying to say is, if you don’t want to spend a fortune, and want something you’ll actually wear again, there’s plenty in your wardrobe – and on the high street – to have a go at.

Ultimately, it’s the bride and groom’s day– you’re just the supporting cast, so unless you turn up flashing too much leg/cleavage or looking like scrag end dressed as fillet steak, no one will remember what you wore.

My advice? Keep it stylish, keep it comfortable and don’t break the bank!

Sarah x

Photographs: Sarah Foulkes

Sarah writes her own personal blog over at The Threadbare Fashionista.

Ethical bags from Africa

Posted on March 3, 2014 by alison

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Celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight with ethical African bags from BagsandMore

We’re in the midst of Fairtrade Fortnight (24th February – 9th March 2014) which focuses attention on better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world.

So it’s a perfect time to hear once again from Jackie Savage at BagsandMore. Jackie who is from the north west specialises in ethically sourced bags and accessories.

We’ve asked her to tell us a bit more about how her bags are made and introduce us to this season’s additions to her collection.

Over to you Jackie ……

After all the terrible weather the UK’s suffered over the past months, nothing could be better to cheer you up than a bag or scarf from BagsandMore.

In my last 4Manchester Women guest blog (read here), I told you a little bit about the ethical background to our bags from Madagascar.

This Indian Ocean island is one of the poorest countries in Africa. In 2012, its population was estimated at just over 22 million, 90 percent of whom live on less than two dollars per day.

Any initiative which offers to improve the lives of the people has to be a good thing, and our bags achieve just that.

The work involved in making these bags is complicated and it’s important to appreciate the input of the craftspeople working in these communities.

The inner layer of the bag is made from reeds which are harvested and hand woven to create a light-weight inner basket which adds strength, durability and shape.

The outside of the bag is made from the leaves of the raffia palm which are harvested then hand processed, dyed and sun dried before being hand woven into these colourful designs as mats ready to produce baskets.

The mats are cut ready to be assembled for the outer surface and appliques. The bags are then individually machine-stitched together with their linings and finished with the leather straps and corners, which are put on again by hand.

Finally all the elements are brought together and this is what you see here – our BagsandMore bags!

The work involved in making every bag is demanding. However it not only provides income, it also offers an opportunity to develop new skills and generate self-respect.

So when you buy a beautiful Madagascan bag, remember the person who has put much time and effort into making that bag in Africa. Check out the new additions to our range below.

Buying handcrafted items

Finally, a story to demonstrate the importance of recognising the role of the artisan in every hand-crafted item you see for sale:

A woman saw a beautiful crocheted dress in a local shop so went in to find out the price. When the artisan told her how much the dress would cost, the lady thought that the price was too high and said “I want to buy a dress from you, but I think you charge too much.” The artisan was a little taken aback but replied “OK, how much do you think I should charge?”

The lady replied “I know the cost of the raw materials and the yarn, the ribbons and the buttons. I will even factor in the price of scissors.” Eventually she gave the artisan a price based on these calculations.

The final price which the woman had calculated was a lot less than the original price, but the artisan thought about it and said “OK then, give me a week”.

The woman was very pleased with herself and told all her friends what a clever deal she had negotiated.

A week later her parcel arrived. Full of excitement the woman opened it and inside discovered yarn, ribbons, buttons and a pair of scissors. Angrily she contacted the artisan and asked “How could you do this to me? I asked you for a dress and you sent me a box of yarn, ribbon, buttons and scissors?!”

The artisan quietly replies “My dear, you got exactly what you paid for. If you think there is something missing, you need to pay for it.”

The moral of the story is when you buy handmade goods you are not just buying the materials, you are paying for the time, effort, love and dedication which goes into making the product. Never undervalue this element – it is the most important one.

Competition time

To celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight and the launch of the new BagsandMore SS14 collection, we’ve got a gorgeous demi-lune bag (first prize) and a Mara Marin scarf (second prize) to give away to two lucky winners.

All we want to know is:

What’s lurking at the bottom of your bag?

Pop it in the comments box below – but only one comment per person please.

So don’t be shy – whether it’s a supermarket receipt for family size Toblerone, a pair of flip-flops or some emergency wet wipes , we’d love to know?

Good luck!

Jackie x

Web site: bagsandmore.co.uk

Twitter: @JBagsandmore

Facebook: facebook.com/pages/Bags-and-More

Email: info@bagsandmore.co.uk

Photographs: BagsandMore

Disclosure

Previous articles from BagsandMore:

Eco-friendly accessories

Summer in the South of France

Fashionable French Lemons

A February post card from France

A Christmas post card from BagsandMore

Introducing BagsandMore

By taking part in this competition you are agreeing to 4Manchester Womens Terms & Conditions for competitions and prize draws.

Competition closing date: 9pm Monday 17th March 2014.

The winners will be the first names selected at random from all respondents. No purchase necessary. No cash alternative. The Editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. Closing date is 9pm Monday 17th March 2014. The winners will be notified immediately. Only one entry per person. UK entries only. No automated entries. Supporting ThePrizeFinder – UK Competitions and loquax. If you are a lucky winner, your contact details will be forwarded to the providers of the prize, strictly for the purpose of fulfilling the prize and not for any other purpose.

Please note: Should you be notified as the winner, and you do not respond within 2 days of our notification, we reserve the right to re-draw the winner.

Previous competition winners (last 6 months)

Creative Stitches & Hobbycraft Show – win tickets (1st September 2013). Winners Claire Jackson, Pauline Rendell, Joanna Arthur, Fran Morgan, Liz Ferguson, Michelle Smith, Dil Price, Pam Gregory, Linda Weatherley.

The Independent Interiors Show – win a house hamper (3rd September 2013). Winner Nichola Gill.

Indulge Fragrance Boutique – win bottles of perfume (8th September 2013). Winners Gillian Shiels, Leanne Williams, Julie Ward.

Creamline Dairies / Getting Kids to Eat Breakfast – win a Saturday Cookshop course with a celebrity chef (18th September 2013). Winner Sara Perry.

The Lounge Gallery – win a Michelle Keeling necklace (22nd September 2013). Winner Alison Ferrara.

The Perfect Princess Party – win a Princess fancy dress outfit (14th October 2013). Winner Emma Wolski.

MINILAND Manchester – win a family day pass to LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Manchester (6th November 2013). Winner Andrea Lloyd.

New trends Christmas decorations – win a John Lewis Christmas 2013 teddy (11th November 2013). Winner Rachael Barratt.

Luxurious home products – win a throw from Linen Loft (15th November 2013). Winner Chris Fletcher.

Personalised Christmas Gifts – win a personalised mug from Photobox (18th November 2013). Winners Katrina Steward, Nicola McConnell.

Bathroom makeover – win a selection of pamper products (14th January 2014). Winner Georgina Jacobs.

Travelling with Kids – win Cryin Air travel packs (22nd January 2014). Winner Lily Bowers.

Farmhouse Breakfast Week – win a breakfast hamper (27th January 2014). Winner Janet Rumley.

Easy Valentine Heart Cookies – win heart shape cookie cutters (3rd February 2014). Winner Donna Lawton.

Black Dog branches into fashion – win a designer t-shirt (5th February 2014)

Interview with Rianna Phillips – win a designer mini pouch (11th February). Winner Laura Vitty.

THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED

Thank you so much to everyone who entered our competition. The winners are Sandy Henry and Jenny Miller.

Interview with Rianna Phillips

Posted on February 11, 2014 by alison

**Shortlisted for Young Vision Vogue x Muuse Awards 2014**

Every once in a while I stumble across something that stops me in my tracks – Rianna Phillips’ distinctive designs did just that.

Add to that the fact that she’s from Manchester and has been shortlisted for the prestigious ‘Young Vision‘ Awards hosted by Muuse and Vogue and I just had to get her on our Manchester blog for you!

Rianna kindly agreed to answer our interview questions – and asks us all – very nicely, that if you love her designs to vote for her to win and bring the award back to Manchester. VOTE HERE!

1. Tell us a bit about your background and influences

I’m from Stockport, I loved art and design at school and college so went on to do an Art Foundation year at Manchester School of Art, within the year I was able to experiment with fine art, photography and Fashion.

This was my very first taste of the subject.

I loved studying at that uni so I stayed there and went on to study ‘Textile Design for Fashion’. I’m now a Graduate teaching assistant at the uni, they can’t keep me away from the place!

At the moment I’m really inspired by a lot of the fantastic architecture we have in Manchester, one of the future print ranges features photography from Manchester and London skyscraper skylines.

Travel is a huge inspiration in my work and a trip to Australia last year was the catalyst behind the collection that has recently been nominated in the Vogue x Muuse award.

2. The Vogue x Muse accessory award – tell us more!

A colleague (my tutor that taught me back in the day!) saw the competition and forwarded it to me.

The prize is fantastic! The winner has their next range made in collaboration with Muuse and Vogue.

To have them behind you and promoting your collection would be fantastic press and a huge jump in my career. I have to be in the top 50 to make it through to the final round. The votes determine what position you’re in. So I need all the votes I can get!

I’ve been in the M.E.N newspaper campaigning for votes and on Stockport’s Pure Radio. The closing date is February 17th. So please vote everyone!

There were thousands of applicants for this competition, there are now 173. I’ve been in the top 20 for a few days now and am also number 1 out of all the U.K contestants. So it’s looking good, I just need to keep the votes coming in and the support of my local community.

3. What are your top tips for SS14?

The art scene is a big inspiration for this upcoming summer. Abstract/modern and pop art is appearing on tops, dresses and of course clutch bags and scarves.

4. Manchester is brimming over with creative people – why do you think that is?

There is a big push to keep graduates in Manchester and with the likes of Vogue holding Vogue’s Fashion Night Out in our city centre, well that just says it all. Manchester is the new place to be.

5. What’s next for you?

I’m working on a few new bag shapes and I’d love to do clothing. I’ve got the support of fantastic pattern cutting staff at Manchester School of Art so watch this space.

e-boutique: riannaphillips.com

blog: appliquefashion.blogspot.co.uk

twitter/instagram: @riannaphillips

vote: vogue.muuse.com/riannaphillips

Competition time

Rianna needs all the votes she can get!

To celebrate she’s running a little give away alongside the Vogue x Muse competition, to win one of her most popular prints to date ‘Byron’ (win a Byron mini pouch bag pictured below).

So click VOTE HERE here to go straight to the page and vote for Rianna, then leave a comment / message of support on this blog to let us know you’ve voted.

One lucky reader who leaves a message in the comments box below will then be chosen at random as the winner – but only one comment per person and please vote for Rianna to win the Vogue x Muse award first .

Good luck!

Alison x (your 4Manchester Women Editor)

Photographs: Rianna Phillips

By taking part in this competition you are agreeing to 4Manchester Womens Terms & Conditions for competitions and prize draws.

Competition closing date: 9pm Monday 17th February 2014.

The winner will be the first name selected at random from all respondents. No purchase necessary. No cash alternative. The Editor’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. Closing date is 9pm Monday 17th February 2014. The winners will be notified immediately. Only one entry per person. UK entries only. No automated entries. Supporting ThePrizeFinder – UK Competitions and loquax. If you are a lucky winner, your contact details will be forwarded to the providers of the prize, strictly for the purpose of fulfilling the prize and not for any other purpose.

Please note: Should you be notified as the winner, and you do not respond within 2 days of our notification, we reserve the right to re-draw the winner.

Previous competition winners (last 6 months)

Cocktails & Dreams – win a cocktail making masterclass at Lock 91 (29th August 2013). Winner Nicola Robinson.