The beauty about fashion in Manchester is the versatility and originality.
Pop Boutique, is based in the heart of the Northern Quarter. Retailing a wide variety of vintage clothing in Manchester and other cities in the UK. The store is one of the stores that bring not just originality but versatility in to the city.
I went into the Manchester store, and met with the stores manager Donna to get more insight about the store. And also the influence Pop Boutique and vintage fashion have had in the city. Here is what I found out.
Q) In comparison,to high street stores and online stores what makes vintage stores so different?
A) For most people, it’s the individuality. You’re going to get something that you are not particular going to see anywhere else. You might see something similar in the high-street but you wont get a garment that is exactly the same!
Q: Looking at the quality of clothing being sold today, what do vintage stores do differently?
A) A lot of people now are thinking about the ethical side of things. Its better to buy something that has been made and giving it new life rather than continually buying something from a non good quality fast throw away fashion.
With vintage there is more quality! You can put your own thing on it making you stand out.
Q) Looking back over the years how has vintage changed?
A) Ugh! Vintage has come so far. When I first started working here people used to be like ugh dirty clothes and people did not want to wear other people’s clothes. But now people see it as a heritage thing. We’re using it as a valuable resource. Yes! it’s definitely become more mainstream.
Q) What makes POP Boutique pop?
A)We have been here for a long time now, so I think being in this area and neighbourhood has helped. We’ve been here for nearly 30 years. We do quite a lot of advertising online and on Instagram.
Q) How has social media brought more attention POP Boutique?
A) I think putting things up onto their social media has helped a lot. Social media has made vintage fashion more mainstream and much more acceptable for younger people.
But also for us as well. We quite often putting up outfit pictures and new things we have in. and people contact us wanting to know the price and what store they can buy the item from.
Have you seen an impact in vintage fashion because of social media?
A)Yes, it really has. vintage has become more mainstream and shared more because of hash-tagging and re-posting . It’s bringing a positive light to what vintage stores can offer.
Q) Describe vintage fashion in 3 words?
A) Vintage fashion… Individual, quality and fun!
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