SalfordOnline

By Victoria Howell

With so many independent fashion boutiques in Salford, ladies will be happy to know they don’t need to travel much further than their doorstep to pick up their summer essentials.

Not only does shopping locally mean avoiding queues in busy shopping centres, but is also a fantastic way to pick up a dress or a piece of jewellery that isn’t available in the shops you’d find on the high street. Boutiques often sell collections that are unique and unusual, which help women stand out from the crowd. As most women would agree, there’s nothing worse than turning up to an event to find someone else wearing the exact same dress.

Fabric on Monton Road has been opened for 12 years and stocks everything from clothes and shoes to jewellery. The collections range from high-end names such as So Couture and Diva Couture, which have been seen on celebrities such as Amy Childs, to more casual designs from makes such as Glamorous, Reverse and Jarlo.

By stocking a variety of different collections, Fabric has been recognised for catering for everyone’s budget, selling stock from £19 up to £350. It isn’t only the varying price points that makes Fabric such a well established boutique, the fact that all the staff are trained personal stylists also makes them a fashionistas favourite. Sophie Allen, 20 from Swinton, who is studying a Fashion Communication and Promo Course at Hudderfield University, told SalfordOnline.com: “The owner of Fabric, Leigh James Dyson, is an internationally know stylist and has worked with celebrities such as Lilly Allen, Girls Aloud, Jessy J and McFly.”

Sophie, the Assistant Manager, revealed that Fabric have some interesting prospects coming up in the near future: “We are looking in to supporting local graduates and currently sell up and coming designers Rebekah Murphy and Nicola Russell. There is also a new team of stylists who have been brought in this year and are launching a new website soon where customers can shop online.”

The Gown opened on 5th December 2011 and is keen to provide all their customers with the latest summer trends, from bags and purses to maxi dresses and blazers. The Worsley boutique, on Worsley Road, is co-owned by Laura Wakefield and Lucy Boulter and provides clothes for every occasion. The Gown is your one stop shop for all your summer occasions, including you’re garden parties and summer festivals.

Laura told SalfordOnline.com: “We provide different stock to what you would find on the high streetn and we are always picking up new pieces. We will also be opening a new beauty room soon which will do semi-permanent make-up, teeth whitening and make-up for all occasions."

The Gown Boutique are offering an exclusive customised bikini service called KKouture, where customers design their own bikinis and The Gown then creates them. What better way to stand out on the beach girls!

Our final visit was to Lady Lily, a boutique only recently opened on the 7th April on Liverpool Road in Eccles. The store is impressively filled with sandals, heels, scarves, bags, jewellery and a range of different clothing collections. Owner of the business Clare Mannion said: “The top sellers for the summer are the loose tops, as well as the feminine print dresses. Theses outfits would be perfect for summer drinks or nights out.”

Clare believes that what really makes Lady Lily a stand out boutique, is her different collections: “We have a fabulous range to suit all ages and pockets. We have leggings starting off from £4.99 to dresses up to £40.”

Visiting the three boutiques, it was interesting to learn that they sell designs from not only well-established brands, but also up and coming designers. This is a great way of mixing luxury with mass-market fashion, to create a style that is personal and individual to you.

As fashionistas say, fashion fades, only style remains the same, so shop in your local boutiques to create your own fashion flair.