Manchester

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Retro fashion at Junk

Junk gets ahead of the retro fashion competition with its own clothing lines

Riding the crest of the vintage fashion wave, retro retailer Junk opened a new Northern Quarter store at the end of 2007. Its original West Didsbury branch does a roaring trade in second-hand togs, screen-printed tees, bags and kooky badges, and the Dale Street store ploughs the same vintage furrow. Inside, knick-knacks are crammed onto shelves and tables and, although flogging '70s coffee pots in a clothing store seems slightly incongruous, it does create a sweet, jumble-sale feel to proceedings.

What makes Junk stand out from the retro crowd, though, is the fact that it stocks its own newly minted fashion. Junk is responsible for no less than three home-grown labels (Junk Boutique, Jumble and Label of Love), each of which churns out playful dresses, vests, tees and tops. With a nod towards either vintage or street style, these labels give Junk the edge over neighbouring stores who rely solely on second-hand goods. Eight collections per year keep things fresh – essential when high street competitors refresh their stock with head-spinning speed. And Junk appear to have got their fashion formula just right: these eco-entrepreneurs now export their recycled, reworked and original clothing all over the world (either wholesale or via the online shop), proving that fashion, at least in this part of Manchester, can be ethical as well as aesthetically pleasing.
Junk Dale Street, Northern Quarter, M1 1JW (238 8517/www.junkshopuk.com). Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 12noon-5pm.

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