TALKING SHOP: MANCHESTER IN FASHION UNVEILS ITS UNIQUE TALKS PROGRAMME

Featuring some of the biggest names in fashion – including Wayne Hemingway, David Mallon (The General Store), Selfridges, Harvey Nichols and Manchester Arndale – the Manchester in Fashion talks programme is not to be missed.

For anyone working in fashion, the IN FASHION talks will give fashion businesses the edge. From Monday 29 September – Thursday 2 October, these events run at Urbis, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols and the Circle Club. They include: an exclusive career retrospective from Wayne Hemingway; David Mallon (The General Store) and Roger Wade (Boxfresh) going head-to-head in Manchester Fashion Network’s marketing debate; workshops with ecommerce experts on how to run an online shop; a trend presentation from the head buyer at Selfridges and much more.

For anyone who loves fashion, the LOVE FASHION talks bring fashion to life for all visitors to Manchester in Fashion. From Friday 3 October – Sunday 5 October, these events run at Urbis. They include: tips on this season’s best buys; Manchester Confidential mapping the city’s best fashion boutiques; a trend presentation on what every man must wear; lessons on customising your clothes from Rags to Bitches and a style-your-own-accessories session courtesy of Manchester Craft Mafia.  

Full details are below and at www.manchesterinfashion.com. IN FASHION and LOVE FASHION talks are sponsored by Manchester Fashion Network and supported by CIDS, the Creative Industries Development Service.

What’s it really like in the world of fashion journalism? How can you get your first break into the industry, or how can you move your career up a level? This panel of top journalists give the insider’s guide to writing about fashion for a living. With Claire Lomax (Flux Magazine), Helen Tither (Manchester Evening News), broadcaster and writer, Flic Everett and Lynda Moyo (Manchester Confidential). Monday 29 September, 4pm at Urbis (Cathedral Gardens, M4 3BG). Free, no need to book.  

Marketing yourself, your work and your brand

Fashion designer and leader of the BA (Hons) Fashion at Manchester Metropolitan University, Alison Welsh, leads a practical session on how to maximise your profile. An essential workshop for graduates, designers and fashion businesses from one of the city’s leading designers. Tuesday 30 September, Midday at Urbis (Cathedral Gardens, M4 3BG). Free, no need to book.

 Successful online trading part 1

Want to take advantage of online trading but worried about the technical side of things (not to mention the budget)? This workshop is for you. E-commerce gurus Ray Buckler and Nick Pratt – from the online retail experts, Sitemakers - lead a practical session on all aspects of online trading, from how to use a content management system, website design and order management to online marketing. This workshop is aimed at businesses interested in expanding their retail offer online – no technical know-how required!Tuesday 30 September, 2pm at Urbis (Cathedral Gardens, M4 3BG). Free, no need to book. 

Successful online trading part 2: I did it my way

Meet the man behind two major online fashion stores – Exit and EBTM  - as well as the Atticus clothing brand the Lowlife accessories. With 23 years’ experience in the rag trade, Steve Walters gives his practical tips – and the pitfalls to avoid - when running a successful online fashion business. Tuesday 30 September, 3pm at Urbis (Cathedral Gardens, M4 3BG). Free, no need to book.

 Product vs. Promotion – the marketing debateJoin us as we dissect the five P’s of marketing and decide just what is the most important asset in the marketing mix, as our guests, David Mallon (The General Store) and Roger Wade (Boxfresh) battle it out in Product vs. Promotion! We’ll be questioning two clashing industry giants on each of their conflicting views as we ask which marketing tools are most effective in the rag trade and whether a good product can literally do all the work for you.Tuesday 30 September, 6.30pm at the Circle Club. £10 adv/£12. Organised by Manchester Fashion Network. Tickets available from www.manchesterfashion.com 

If you’ve got to grips with trading online, it won’t be long before you’ll want to expand your sales and promotion into overseas markets. Luckily for you, Karen Holden – an international trade advisor – is on hand to give you the lowdown on the practicalities, pitfalls and lucrative benefits of developing international sales. Karen is part of UK Trade and Investment, which runs a bespoke service that helps businesses access vital information and contacts, understand markets and identify opportunities overseas. This session will be invaluable to anyone toying with the idea of – or who has just launched – international labels and goods. Wednesday 1 October, 2pm at Urbis (Cathedral Gardens, M4 3BG). Free, no need to book. 

Behind the scenes at the department store

Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at Selfridges? This evening event, hosted in Selfridges’ Moet Bar, will give you the inside track on buying and merchandising as Selfridges’ Director of Buying leads a trend presentation. With drinks and canapés.

Hemingway or the Highway

From Red or Dead to Hemingway Design, Blackburn-lad made good, Wayne Hemingway tells the story of a career that saw him go from geography graduate to fashion entrepreneur, and from Camden Market to winner of the British Fashion Council’s ‘Street Style of the Year’ award three times in a row - and then get an MBE for housing design. An unmissable chance to find out more behind one of Britain’s most remarkable creative entrepreneurs. This event will be held in the glamorous setting of Harvey Nichols Manchester (in the second floor restaurant), with complimentary refreshments. Thursday 2 October, 10.30am at Harvey Nichols Manchester (at the second floor restaurant, entrance on Cateaton Street, M1 1AD). Note that this event is by invite only, although all Manchester Fashion Network Members are entitled to a pair of tickets (email susie.stubbs@zen.co.uk by Friday 26 September to book your tickets). We are also offering a limited number of tickets to this event, allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. To book your ticket, visit www.manchesterinfashion.com/talks 

LOVE FASHION? Trends and tips for A/W 08

Fed up of trawling the shops looking for the perfect buys? Fancy a session with your own personal shopper? Join Debs Hatfield, style adviser at The Arndale, as she leads a unique tour of the high street. Meeting at Urbis, we’ll take you over to the Arndale where Debs, a woman who shops for a living (and knows her stuff when it comes to retail therapy), shows you the best places to pick up this season’s key clothes, shoes and accessories. The tour also features an update on the Arndale’s latest developments and the chance to speak to some of the retailers themselves.

Friday 3 October, Midday, 2pm and 4pm, tour starts at Urbis. Free to Manchester in Fashion ticket holders*. Note: tours are limited to 12 people, allocated on a strictly first come, first served basis. Tours last 30 minutes. 

Keeping it Pristine

Want to keep your wedding dress as fresh as the day you wore it? Inherited a fabulous vintage coat from your mum? Picked up a 1960s bargain from Oxfam Originals? Rosie Gnatiuk from the Gallery of Costume talks about the Gallery’s own collection and then gives some practical tips on how to store and preserve your precious fashions. Friday 3 October, 2pm at Urbis. Free to Manchester in Fashion ticket holders*. 

The ultimate fashion inspiration

Join experts from the Gallery of Costume for an illustrated talk that documents changing fashion through the ages. If you love fashion, prepare to be amazed by some of the archive photographs held in the collection and, if you’re a designer, find out how you can get direct access to the archive and find inspiration for your own collections. Friday 3 October, 2.30pm at Urbis. Free to Manchester in Fashion ticket holders*. 

Vintage Style: an accessories workshop run by Manchester Craft Mafia.Fashion your own accessories from scratch or adapt items of your own in this fashionista-friendly drop-in workshop run by Manchester Craft Mafia. Take advantage of their stunning assortment of collectable vintage lace, buttons, fabrics and other treasures. Arrive empty handed and explore the Mafia’s wonderous trinkets for inspiration; or bring your own bags and accessories to personalise. Saturday 4 October, Midday-2pm (drop-in) at Urbis. Free to Manchester in Fashion ticket holders*. 

Make Do and Mend: a customised clothing workshop run by Best of Manchester 2008 winners, Rags to Bitches.Get new life from old clothes in this unique drop-in workshop run by one of Manchester's top fashion boutiques. Rags to Bitches – which counts Alexa Chung and Lily Allen among its clientele - will give you practical tips and lessons on how to customise your clothes. There's also rumour of cupcakes, a dressing-up box and a photo booth so that you can be snapped in your fabulous new costumes.Saturday 4 October, 2.30pm-4.30pm (drop-in) at Urbis. Free to Manchester in Fashion ticket holders*. 

20 things every man should have in his wardrobe

Fresh from their ‘experience’ on BBC 2’ s Mary Queen of Shops, Manchester menswear boutique, HT Burt, give a trend presentation of the top 20 things no man can live without. From the shoes you’ll live and die in, to the consummate cashmere jumper, once you’ve experienced HT Burt’s style guide you’ll never look back. Perfect for both men and the women (and men) in their lives!Sunday 5 October, 2pm at Urbis. Free to Manchester in Fashion ticket holders*.

 Hidden Fashion

Want to make sure that what you’re wearing is unique? Fed up with the run-of-the-mill togs on the High Street? Then join us as Manchester Confidential’s Lynda Moyo maps Manchester’s best (and off the beaten track) fashion boutiques, from cutting edge independents in the Northern Quarter to yummy mummy stores in the suburbs. The ultimate insider guide to shopping!

Sunday 5 October, 4pm at Urbis. Free to Manchester in Fashion ticket holders*.

* All LOVE FASHION talks are only open to Manchester in Fashion ticket holders (although all IN FASHION talks and events are free and open to anyone except where indicated). You can book tickets for Manchester in Fashion at www.manchesterinfashion.com. Ticket prices start at just £5. Manchester in Fashion runs 2-5 October at Urbis.   

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