By Chantelle Tindall
Manchester's Northern Quarter is a Mecca for vintage clothing and it easily draws you in by being so hip. A treasure trove and an Aladdin's cave of hard to find gems in a metropolis otherwise full of big High Street stores. Fashion finds that transport you back to different eras: 1950s, 60s, 70s and right up to the 1990s, and all in one location. Paradise then for any fashion enthusiast.
Blue Rinse was my destination, and its neon signpost soon beckoned, instantly grabbing my attention. Currently situated next to each other are both the old shop and the new space. The old space is closing down, giving way to an environmentally-friendly new one. A funky upbeat very urban vintage space. Uniquely decorated with vibrant colours and an equally intrigiung mix of colourful old silk shirts arranged in a mesh cage that evokes an artists' brush strokes by playing with layers of colours. It is like capturing the rainbow and storing it. This space sends a very different vibe to its original store next door, one that is vibrant and full of positive energy.
Look closely and you will find that one off piece never available anywhere else which makes it a joy to visit each and every time. It is noteworthy to take into consideration the dangers of fast fashion to the environment, especially when we look at the fight to promote sustainable fashion from the big designers like Stella McCartney, Vivian Westwood , and organisations like the Ellen Mcarthur Foundation etc. Blue Rinse and other vintage shops like it, should also be applauded for their effort to save the earth and also protecting the environment in their own small way.
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Vintage fashion from eras past are mostly recycled and up-cycled to create the new from the old, thus reducing fashion waste which are sadly non biodegradable. The fashion industry is generally cited as a chief culprit for exposing the environment to hazardous waste materials, water wastage and much more. The staff stated that response to vintage clothing has been quite encouraging. According to the manager, Blue Rinse has been in the area for six years which is why moving into a bigger space is now necessary.
Staying true to their environmentally friendly theme, the walls of the new space are painted with recycled paint from Seagulls Reuse, a company which specialises in recycling leftover paint by creating new and unique colours that encourages less waste thrown into the environment. Manager - Oliver Newton also feels that the customers share similar concerns, noting "people are becoming aware of how much the environment needs saving, they are more aware of carbon footprints, sustainability and how ethical their clothing should be. So vintage shopping is one great avenue of doing their bit to saving "mother earth." Bee - a member of staff, also stated that vintage fashion are also "collectibles" as they are not found anywhere else. Speaking to two very young customers Tiggy and Harriet on the reason they buy vintage fashion, their responses were for "uniqueness", and "the love of all things from ages past and saving the environment." Finally, Callum - another staff member, proudly declared: it is a "wonderful company to work for."
Leaving Blue Rinse with a unique find that put a big smile on my face, I'm encouraged to believe that vintage fashion is here to say. Second-hand fashion from yesteryears will play a very pivotal role in the fight to reduce fashion waste. No matter how small it may seem, its impact will be strongly felt.