Slow fashion – what is it?
We’ll save you the Google. It is, according to Wikipedia, the alternative to fast fashion and part of what has been called the “slow movement”, advocating for principles similar to the principles of slow food, such as good quality, clean environment, and fairness for both consumers and producers.
The Red Brick Hangar Market is a sibling of the wonderful Red Brick Vintage based in the old Cains Brewery – Red Brick building in the Canning Hangar. This is visible and accessible from the gates on Upper Parliament street and also through the Red Brick Vintage through the Courtyard entrance.
From its conception in March 2018, the aspirations of the Red Brick Hangar Market have not stopped and the venue dubbed “North-West’s Camden Market” is going from strength to strength. By welcoming and supporting independent traders, local artists and start-up business through its doors this gives Liverpool’s coolest area, the Baltic Triangle, the edge in providing unique and inspiring shopping experience to Liverpool’s residence and visitors.
One of the unique aspects of the Hangar is that it has an emphasis on sustainability and social responsibility by enabling local people to start their own businesses with their funky retail units. It also has an ethical stance and believes in supporting its community with delivering an alternative product to what the high street currently offers.
We’ve gone back to our friends Wikipedia again and found out the fashion industry is estimated to be responsible for 10 percent of the carbon footprint of the world as well as it being the second greatest polluter of local freshwater in the world. Below are just some of the ways Red Brick Hangar are fighting back:
Pre-loved but classy clothes
They have several fantastic traders, one being Misty’s Vintage who visits the most prestigious vintage haunts to bring back treasured to the Red Brick Hangar. These beautiful clothes have lasted for decades and are normally very well made with high quality materials. There’s also the odd impressive label – think Vera Mont and Jean Varon. Misty Noir knows her stuff.
Hott Tramp offer a fantastic range of clothing that are a mix of high street and vintage but have their roots in 60s and 70s fashion. Think Camden Market and London-cool and you’re there.
Susannah’s Glitz and Glamour has high quality high street and well-known designer brands at affordable prices. The clothes are pre-loved and mostly only have been worn once. Brands such as Biba. Perfect for trips to the races or fabulous for just a night out in town.
New designs
If pre-loved isn’t your thing then they have some fantastic designers on site who have some great designs. These are completely unique and not available on the high street.
Heather Seen offers selected vintage pieces and modern apparel such as printed tees and velvet bell pants. Think vintage with a modern twist. T-AMOH is an independent fashion brand. They design, edit, print and produce items to suit their customers.
LifeWear Clothing is another independent clothing brand who make T-shirts and hoodies designs are mainly based on the gaming community. Sharky’s band shirts and accessories is Liverpool’s only specialist band t-shirt shop, featuring shirts from over 200 different artists. 44Man brings to you exclusive men’s jewellery and accessories specifically designed for men, their aim is to create a stylish brand that embraces diversity.
New and Second-Hand charity shop with a difference
Merseyside’s The Whitechapel Centre has shaken up the city’s charity shop scene, with its first ever store becoming a must-visit for Liverpool fashionistas. It opened a second branch in the hip Cains Brewery Village – and a partnership with Red Brick Hanger Market means more top labels at affordable prices to help the homeless.
Shop manager SUSAN RYDER explains how fashion is helping to make futures…
“We wanted to create a shop that feels and looks like a boutique. Our rails are often stocked with contemporary brand from Topshop, Asos, Zara and Urban Outfitters. As well as the amazing donations we get from our fabulous donors, we have recently we have started to receive regular donations from Shop Direct, giving us that extra edge”
Red Brick Hangar, Cains Brewery, Stanhope Street, L8 5RE