We Went to See the Collection First Hand

By Sarah Graham

Renowned for her striking non-conformity in the fashion forum, Dame Vivienne Westwood has returned to her northern roots with the opening of her first UK Anglomania store on Manchester’s Bridge Street.  Live window mannequins cast dramatic shadows across the street, as the new store swelled with those eager to view the collection.  Amongst the lucky few on the guest list was Tracey Walsh, Westwood’s first Anglomania customer in 1993.

Whilst Vivienne’s Red Label is a diffusion of her Gold Label, Anglomania is the black sheep of the family incorporating thirty-eight years of Westwood’s reinterpretation of British history into an anarchic collection.  An archive for Vivienne Westwood with a potent twist, Anglomania harnesses more modern fabrics, seeking to gain a new generation of customer.

                                                Richard, Senior Manager, King Street

When it comes to the interior Anglomania sets itself apart from the dark wood detail of its neighbouring Westwood store on King Street.  Working from the same design concept successfully launched by its counterpart in Hong Kong, Anglomania is defined by a palette of cool blue tones fused with clean lines.  Signature accessories cabinets house unique badge sets and illuminated high levels provide a contemporary setting for the collection.  The range of womenswear appeared strong and diverse.  However the impact of the diminutive menswear pre-collection was lost, despite it being allocated a key store sightline.  

On the choice of Anglomania’s location, Hervia Ltd Director, Richard Duncalf commented, “We’ve had a head start here.  We definitely feel that Anglomania would be lost in the flagship store on Manchester’s King Street.  Here however, it stands on its own, for the new customer.”

Undoubtedly the unveiling of Anglomania in Manchester goes against the grain in its resistance to follow the usual London blueprint of store openings, and this latest designer venture in Manchester only serves to solidify the city’s growing reputation as the fashion capital of the north.

Click below to see pictures from the night!

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