From the inner city to the golden triangle, L’Oréal Blackett lists the boutiques flying the flag for independent fashion
Arguably the best era for the North West’s independent boutiques was the WAG heydey of the early noughties - back when the Beckhams were still honorary Mancunians. The glamorous wives and girlfriends of premier footballers would be papped in local designer boutiques ‘hiding’ behind huge Gucci sunglasses. In those well-documented days of glamour and excess, Coleen Rooney had reportedly splurged £20,000 in just two hours in the popular Liverpudlian boutique, Cricket.
Though we've lost some of our favourite boutiques since those glory days, the region's independent boutiques still offer up the promise of glamour, quality and uniqueness you can't find online or on the high street.
Here's our list of thirteen fashion boutiques still flying the flag for indie style
PRETTY GREEN
Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher founded this menswear company in 2009 – for some die-hard fans, that’s reason enough to visit the store. Though the Oasis affiliation need not matter. As one of King Street’s remaining fashion boutiques, Pretty Green pays homage to its rock and roll heritage with a solid collection of British street wear. Pretty Green (named after a track by The Jam) follows Gallagher’s archetypal style – just without the haircut. Designed for men who love the music and live for the culture, find hoodies, polo tees, knitwear, trousers and jackets fit for gigging. 81 King Street, Manchester, M2
THE DOLL’S HOUSE
The ‘lanna cami': an incredibly sexy and form-fitting jumpsuit with lace panelling and strategically placed fringing. When Rihanna wore the jumpsuit to the VMA awards in August 2016 throngs of fashionistas followed suit, including Kylie Jenner. To many a surprise, the stunning outfit was designed by Northern Quarter dressmakers The Doll’s House, inspiring a host of copycat creations. Tucked away in the Northern Quarter, the Doll’s house still commands attention from local and international based trendsetters and celebrities. The team are unveiling a new store in the next few days. Head here if you want to amp up the sex appeal. 73 Tib Street, Manchester, M4 5JJ
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OI POLLOI
It’s the menswear boutique you envisage your better half shopping in. And when Liam Gallagher wore an orange parka for his surprise performance at the One Love concert it sold out on the Oi Polloi website in two hours – despite costing almost £500 quid. The seminal menswear boutique has been influencing fashion conversations ever since it set up on Thomas Street in 2002. Focusing largely on streetwear, Oi Polloi sources coveted items from a host of international brands. 63 Thomas Street, Manchester, M4 1LQ
HERVIA BAZAAR
Surviving more than two decades in Manchester city centre (whether the 1996 IRA bombings or the advent of online shopping) Hervia Bazaar remains as one of the city’s long-standing designer boutiques. Owner of Hervia Bazaar and Manchester-raised fashion expert, Oscar Pinto was one of the 'first to stock debut collections from the late Alexander McQueen, as well as Helmut Lang and Hussein Chalayan. Hervia Bazaar was also named as one of the finest designer stores in UK by Vogue. Whether footballer or fashionista, head here for a well-cultivated collection of high fashion and effortlessly cool street wear. 40 Spring Gardens, Manchester, M2 1EN
OBJECT STYLE
Luxe linen shift dresses, 'hygge' candles, elegant gold finishing, ceramic plant pots – OBJECT boutique have been injecting Scandinavian bohemian cool into the wardrobes and homes of Chorlton habitants for over a year now. Joining the line-up of independents on Barlow Moor Road, the boutique combines collections of menswear, womenswear, interiors and 'specialist media' (which we reckon means dandy cycle guides of Copenhagen and coffee table books about neo-Rotterdam-clogs), hand-sourced from the UK, Europe and the US. 519 Barlow Moor Road, Chorlton
BOTTEGA
Bottega owner Samantha Moss is a known jetsetter. After establishing her designer boutique in Tarpourley in 2007, and then later in Shropshire, she decided to open a Bottega at the beach on the sunny Caribbean island Grenada. Her celebrity-adored store features a curated collection of Italian leather handbags and ready-to-wear fashions sourced from the chicest cities, from Paris to Milan. 67 High Street, Tarporley, CW6 0DP
ANGELA BEER
After celebrating 35 years in Bramhall, the Angela Beer boutique is worthy of being deemed a Cheshire institution. “Angela Beer is not just a shop or store, it’s not a quick wardrobe fix, or an impulse purchase, it’s a whole new luxurious shopping experience…” say owners Camilla and Susanna, who launched the family-run business in 1979. Favoured by the most esteemed of the Cheshire set, luxury is certainly a priority at Angela Beer. Boasting over 30 designer labels in store - Diane Von Furtensburg, Armani Jeans and Marc Cain to name a few – the boutique caters for women who are more than willing to invest in their personal style. 43-47 Woodford Road, Bramhall, SK7 1JR
ABAYAS BOUTIQUE
From beautiful butterfly sleeved abayas, every-day hijabs in quality fabrics to standout occasion wear for Eid, Abayas boutique in Rusholme is a well-known outlet for Islamic modest wear in Manchester. With a successful online store catering for men and women, Abayas Boutique does much to cater for a largely unrepresented market on the high street. 7 Grandale Street off Wilmslow Rd, Rusholme, M14 5WS
PRIVATE WHITE V.C
Famed for its peacoats and tweed flight jackets, British heritage brand Private White V.C continues to manufacture and sell menswear apparel from its historic Manchester factory at Cottenham House. Founded by World War hero and Victoria Cross recipient Private Jack White a century ago, here modern gents can shop handcrafted menswear with the guarantee of 100% home-reared materials. As one of the last remaining garment manufacturers in the UK, HRH Princess Anne even paid the factory a visit, remarking on Private White's skilful craftsmanship. Cottenham Lane, Manchester, M3 7LJ
DOHERTY EVANS AND STOTT
Tailors Andrew Doherty, Matthew Evans and Thomas Stott launched their eponymous boutique after being made redundant from the illustrious Savile Row. With a celebrated eye for craftsmanship, the trio’s Deansgate store champions made-to-measure tailoring, shirts made from the finest Italian fabrics and skilfully crafted shoes, ties and other gentlemanly accessories designed from British materials. 64 Bridge Street, Manchester, M3 3BN
BLACK WHITE DENIM
Black, white and denim are the building blocks and the foundation colours of any stylish woman’s wardrobe, says Jo Davies, founder of Wilmslow’s Black White Denim boutique. Since 2010, the womenswear store has been working with contemporary designers to create collections of investment pieces. Naturally, they do denim well here and serve up top designers including J Brand and Paige Denim. 57 Alderley Road, Wilmslow, SK9 1NZ
ETERNAL ENVY
Frequented by the most glamorous cast members of Real Housewives of Cheshire, Eternal Envy has become a failsafe for any woman looking for something uniquely glamorous. Selling classically stylish outfits in the leafy Heaton Moor village, Eternal Envy handpicks wares from niche designers all around the globe in sizes 8-16. 2 Heaton Moor Road, Stockport, SK4 4NZ
MCQUEEN
Chorlton's McQueen 'wants to be your sort of weapon against all the dull horrid things' with 'delights to make you look twice'. Not to be confused with the other McQueen, Chorlton’s long-standing fashion boutique has been a beloved part of the community since 1994. Popular amongst trendy mums and other stylish suburbanites, pop in and expect to find bold and eye-catching items sourced from British and Scandinavian fashion labels. 677 Wilmslow Road, M20 6RA
Did we miss your favourite boutique? Let us know via our Twitter page @BdyConfidential or below in the comments box.
