Interesting Stuff
Award : Best of Manchester
I am very proud to have been awarded a Special Commendation by the judges at this prestigious annual event.
If you want to know who the future luminaries of the city's creative scenes
will be, the Best of Manchester Awards are a good place to look.
Set up by Urbis to give some proper recognition to the people doing interesting,
inspiring things in the worlds of art, fashion and music, they aim to act
as a filter that sorts out the followers from the innovators
Manchester Confidential Read the full report on Manchester Confidential here,
and do scroll down the page to see the lovely comment posted by H'atelier
client Adele
URBIS:
2009 Winners report
Death of a Legend
Mimi Weddell, an inspiration to all free-thinking, creative, independent women everywhere, died last week at the age of 94. Manhattanite, actor, model, but most of all a committed hat-wearer of great style and originality, she was chosen by 'New York Magazine' as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in New York - at the age of 90. Mimi was also the subject of a 2008 documentary "Hats Off", chronicling her famous hat habit which lasted right up until she died aged 94.
"Hats give you a frame," she said. "However dreary you feel, if you put on a hat, by golly, you've changed everything."
I couldn't agree more.
Learn more about this truly remarkable woman
Why Bespoke? - panel member, 25 Nov 08
A really interesting and enjoyable evening hosted by the Manchester Fashion Network, at which I was honoured to be asked to appear on the panel. Thanks to MFN for the opportunity, and for their ongoing support and commitment to the fashion community in Manchester and beyond.
Click image for full story
Promotional Exhibitions
I have been experimenting with exhibiting at a number of promotional events
recently, including a Wedding Fayre at Cranage
Hall, Cheshire, and an "Evening of Indulgence"
at the Bank of America. I am also considering the big annual Bridal
event at Tatton Park next January, but have mixed feelings …….
It would be very helpful to know if any of you reading this ever go to these
kind of events, and if so, what you think of them:
- did you find what you wanted?
- did you go with a serious purpose or just for something to do on a wet afternoon?
- how did the standard and range of exhibitors meet your expectations?
- would you be disappointed if the item you wanted was not available for sale there and then i.e. to order only?
Do email me with your comments, your input would be most gratefully received.
Courses
I can only apologise that these have not yet happened, and I am extremely grateful to all of you who have expressed interest. The truth of the matter is that I simply haven't been able to devote the time and attention needed to create a really rewarding experience for all concerned, to my great regret.
HOWEVER …… please do not give up hope! As an experienced tutor as well as designer this is something dear to my heart, and as soon as it's feasible to launch H'atelier courses, then launched they shall be. Keep an eye on this page for developments.
Possible H'atelier move?
Those of you who have not only located the entrance but also gamely trecked up the 3 flights of stairs to my studio will be relieved to hear that I am looking for new premises at street level, with a shop window! A lot depends on location, finance etc, but keep your fingers crossed - I really really want this to happen.
And when it does, there may be other changes afoot too….. watch this space!
Television Stardom ……. NOT!
H'atelier was the subject of the MTV programme Manchester In Fashion earlier this year, which should have been something to crow about. However, although the programme was on the whole well-made and (I think) quite interesting, they ruined it all by adding comments of their own, re hat-wearing in general, which definitely did not concur with my own eg "Not everyone can wear a hat" ….. (did they listen to a word I said?) Very disappointing, so I'm not keen to associate myself with it. Better to turn one's back on the Sleb Lifestyle than sacrifice one's artistic integrity, don't you think?
Samples for Sale
There are future plans to make samples from previous seasons available for sale from a dedicated section of the website, and to personal callers. These will be at greatly discounted prices, one-off, and on a first-come-first served basis. HOWEVER - this is down on my Future To Do List, so please don't come running the minute you read this! Keep an eye on this page for updates…….
Pointless but Fun
There is a group on Facebook with the truly silly but irresistable title "We Are Wearing A Hat In Our Facebook Photo, Or Admire People Who Do". If you have an idle few minutes and would like to be genuinely amused, go to this page and have a look at the Discussion Board. Highly recommended as a most agreeable way to waste some time ......
CONFESSIONS OF A WINO
(No, not me!)
"…..arguably the best introduction I made that night was to
……"
This suave chap was dining at the next table in Casa Mia Grande, Leeds (which
I highly recommend, incidentally), and casually asked if he could take a
photograph. I had no idea who he was or that this would end up on line.
What a nice man! An unlooked for compliment does wonders for the morale,
so thank you, Alastair!
Read all about Alastair's evening at Casa Mia Grande, Leeds, here.