Ross Parlane – Alott
Alott. Completely sustainable haircare, cruelty free, vegan, organic and handmade in the UK. The sea salt spray and every day shampoo can be refilled in the RPB shops, meaning no single use packaging and encouraging a little more thought around how you take care of your hair, and the planet. A perfect stocking filler.
Strategy x sØlar
Strategy, a musician-turned-artist who creates digitally manipulated symmetrical images using acrylic paint on canvas has teamed up with sØlar, a collage artist who creates all artwork non-digitally using scissors, scalpel and glue. They’ve created a series of six limited edition prints, individually signed and numbered; limited to ten of each print. Available for £30 + £5 p&p, taking orders via Instagram DM,
Joe Sharpe – All the Best
Typically northern, simple, well designed products with unlimited outputs all to spread a positive message and good energy in our rainy city. Joe has created a range of clothing, homeware and accessories combining his interesting for cooking, walking and just really nice stuff. Wild flower seeds are sent out with every order too so with every order you’re helping to save the bees! Our Christmas pick is their most recent release; a collaboration with Manchester based artist KREK FMS.
Ste & Dimi – Vexxel
Products that bring the natural outdoor scents indoors designed by Manchester home styling and design specialists. Each Vexxel brings a different experience, hand mixed with soy wax and holds essential oils for the most indulgent mood setting.
Emma Loughridge – Lid Shop
We’re keeping our head healthy and our lids warm this winter with the only Manchester essential, bucket hats. Handmade in Didsbury with recycled and sustainable materials Lid Shop is encouraging us to be thoughtful about fashion and making sure we look bloody great whilst doing it. Lids are £35 and come with an extra Christmas surprise.
Luke Passey
Art. A pretty personal gift really. But if you’re trying to find something for that one person who’s got everything, and socks again just won’t cut it, then I’d advise getting in touch with Luke. Prints, t-shirts and personalised pieces made to order. Put a little colour in someone’s kitchen this Christmas.
AK, Kealan & Slowpo – Rugg Ryders
Sharing a studio space over lockdown the 3 creatives mastered the process of making handmade rugs – creating design flips on iconic logos and offering a complete custom service. Small rugs start from £100, mediums from £250, and large rugs from £400. Custom designs and unique one-of-one pieces range from £150-£1k depending on size and design.
Casey Rae – OneOhSix
If you’ve not done some home improvements in 2020 then have you even been in lockdown? OneOhSix is the perfect one stop shop for cute home accessories, and incredible one off pieces of pre loved furniture and interior finds that have been given a new lease of life. We’re stocking up on a few on their candles and taking one of each for the cosiest Christmas.
Lei-Mai Lemaow
Her cheeky loveable character, Gary, is fast becoming a recognised personality, and her latest work on the character is made from recycled broken skateboards, with hand made and hand painted resin arms and legs. 50% of profit from every sale of recycled Gary will go to Wildlife Watchdogs to save wildlife in Indonesia from being smuggled and used as performing animals or worse. The animals are then rehabilitated!
Kendrick – Pilgrim
Single run, limited edition garments made in the UK and worn in Manchester and beyond. With a focus on how clothes are constructed with maximum attention to detail and a business on the outside party on the inside design this is our investment pick. And who doesn’t need a fancy cord jacket when it doesn’t get above ten degrees all year?
Frida Cooper
Frida Cooper’s ceramics strike a fine balance between function and design, with her signature speckled creations being a firm favourite. She uses natural glazes in a neutral palette, mirroring the colours found in the raw material of clay. You might be familiar with Frida’s ceramics if you’ve visited Trove or Form Lifestyle Store recently, as you’ll find her work for sale here.
Caroline Dowsett
Freelance artist, Caroline works in Manchester with bright colourful work inspired by movement, sounds and feelings. You can grab a 2021 calendar to plan a beautiful new year, silk scarves with her prints or plenty of other print to choose from too. There’s free Manchester pick up available until December 23rd or if you want to post across the UK get orders in before December 21st. You’ve also got a little bit of time if you’d like a special custom piece (allow 2-4 weeks lead time depending on size.
Ellie Edginton – Lillith Ltd
We’ve given you hats and now we’re giving you bags. Small ones, big ones, some you can carry your dog in. Hand picked tote bags with utility in mind. There’s literally a bag for everyone, in every design and every colour. Our favourite; the fluffy cali tote – £12.50
Jasmin & Lottie – Uva
More for lovers of bags here on the sustainable tip – Jasmin & Lottie worked together for some years in retail and spent their shifts daydreaming together. When the first lockdown happened they finally got the chance to make a go of things. So they did – hand-made to order shopper bags with a focus on simplicity for their designs and the ideas behind their shoots. They also create reusable masks from the fabric left over form the bags.
Luke Hudson – håp-parel
Inspired by the Norweigian word for hope, håp-parel is a new ethical clothing brand from Manchester. Using Organic, recycled materials & unworn vintage clothing, hap-parel provides ‘on trend’ fashion led looks that do not cost the earth. All of their packing and mail bags can be re-cycled, composted or will bio-degrade.
Harrison Edwards – The Fresh Prints
We’ve got a bit of Harrison Edwards in our kitchen, a fantastic wooden print which says ‘Send Noods’. You’ll probably recognise Harrison’s work from the windows of Wolf at the Door, Crazy Pedro’s or Junkyard Golf, and there’s plenty on his online shop to keep most of your mates happy this Christmas.
Sebastian Dixon – Gone Fishing Vintage
If you’re after an obnoxiously pink Moncler coat like I am, then Seb will have one. The best collection of vintage garms in the city? Maybe. Specialising in 80’s and 90’s Italian picks with over 350 one off pieces to choose from, go see your man for some Stoney.
Mattie Art
Who says Manchester can’t be tropical? This year you can make Christmas a vibrant one with original paintings or framed prints from the artist previously based in Barcelona, and Costa Rica. She’s ready to bring sunshine and colour to your house. Think lively toucans, jungle prints and bright summer colours, si por favor! You can also find her as a guest artist at Pop Up Ancoats.
Becca McKeown – PhotoCarve
A brand-new concept, born out of the pandemic when two Becca’s were put on furlough, PhotoCarve creates unique photos by carving them into wood. Family-run, these bits of art will brighten up your nan’s house no end – and may even motivate her to get rid of all of those ornaments off her mantelpiece.
Gabrielle Ball – Beaches & Cream
The jewellery brand that makes us wish we were ANYWHERE but here, a little slice of sun, sea and…Stockport. Gabs’ hand picks her luxury jewels, taking inspiration from her favourite holiday spots and destinations we can only dream of visiting right now. We’re all in need of a little sunshine right now and Beaches & Cream is a true light in our lives.
Scott Joseph – Fashion Without a Face
Manchester born, sustainable, ethically made, plant-based, gender neutral bags and accessories. There’s a lot of boxes ticked there, but Scott Joseph’s Fashion Without a Face is the perfect place for a present, without any of the guilt. If someone wants to buy me one of the bags – I won’t be complaining.
Philly Noone – Phig London
Trained costume maker turned dungaree queen. No theatre meant no costumes so after a five minute panic she came home to Manchester, went back to her sewing machine and did what she does best. Her range of hand-made dungarees, face masks and more recently cushions and homeware in bold and beautiful fabrics bring colour and love into an otherwise strange year.
Ashleigh Watson – Fings Manchester
Illustrations and card designs from the lovely Ashleigh Watson, including a range of PLATZ postcards (£10) which are perfect for any self-respecting Mancunian, plus a ‘Crisp Lover’ poster which would look great in my kitchen. Head on over to her Instagram or Etsy and get buying.
Talith Walker
Embroidered album cover recreations by Talith who started creating pieces in lockdown as something fun to do and a way to pass time. She’s gone strength to strength on her self-taught hobby and takes on commissions through DM. Prices start from around £30
ZZ The Pharaoh – usedtotherain
A lifestyle brand by Manchester based hip hop artist ZZ The Pharaoh with the mission statement “change your surroundings” linking to the natural human instinct to see more. It’s a buy to make service, using high quality workwear materials designed for comfort and durability in all seasons.
Adam Pester Photos
Adam has been taking photos of Manchester for the past year but turned to printing his pics and creating his very own Etsy shop throughout lockdown. You can get stunning pictures of some of Manchester’s most iconic scenes, including the seriously popular Rainy MCR that got itself turned into a meme.
