Collette Costello Manchester Fashion Monthly

 

December 2011

 

Second Edition – Released 1^st of Every Month

 

 

“For all the Latest News from the World of Collette Costello!”

 

“Message from Collette Costello”

 

Hello Readers,

 

 

“MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR, IT TIS THE SEASON TO BE JOLLY”

 

Welcome to the second “Collette Costello” on-line monthly magazine blog.  Here you can read all about the past month in the world of “Collette Costello”Salfordfashion design studio, with regular sections dedicated to what is new in British fashion by fashion journalist such as featured writer Ruth Fuller.

 

This Month Top Five “Collette Costello” Moments

 

1) Further Dressmaking Course 12/ 13^th November?

The first further dressmaking course took place this month, with returning members from the introductory dressmaking course amongst the group.  In two days over a weekend the group was introduced to pattern cutting, resulting in a bolero jacket and circular skirt.  The members were a joy to teach and the results great, very experimental.  To see what they made visit their photograph gallery, I think you will agree they did a great job!

 

 2) New Collette Costello Christmas Party Dresses Collection

Looking for a party frock, for the Christmas and New Year party season?  Looking for a dress that compliments the female figure, is classic and sophisticated?  Our new Christmas party dresses are the best in modern vintage, with flowing flared skirts, can be worn for a meal and late into the evening.  Pay our dresses and skirts section a visit.

 

3) Kenco Millicano Interview in Manchester Evening News 

When I received a phone call from Kenco asking me to be the face of their new coffee brand Kenco Millicano I accepted.  I was interviewed by Anne, answering questions aboutManchester, fashion and my dressmaking courses.  The article was printed in the Manchester Evening News.

 

4) Dressmaking Courses Now Booking 2012

Due to the massive success of my dressmaking courses and vintage Christmas sewing course, all courses have sold out for 2011.  The good news is I have started taking booking for dressmaking courses in 2012, so book your place now!

 

5) Athena Boutique Bow Street Edinburgh New Stockist

Collette Costello is now stocked inScotland, in Edinburgh based independent shop “Athena”.  Rebecca Rawlinson started in the boutique in June this year and has done a great job offering the people ofScotlandeco friendly and independent fashion.

 

We hope you enjoy reading the rest of our on-line magazine and big thanks to all the contributers.

 

Enjoy Reading:)

 

Collette Costello  

 

Article Sections

 

1)      This Months Top Five Collette Costello Moments!

2)      Ask Coll? Readers Letter Page

3)      The Best of British by Ruth Fuller

4)      Guest Bloggers Fashion Articles

5)      Opportunities/ Jobs

 

 

Contributers:

 

Featured Writer

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ruth Fuller

 

Hi there, I’m Ruth and welcome to my blog. I am 21 years old and going into my final year at Edge Hill Uni studying English Language. I love my course and have a passion for writing and am so excited to be writing about fashion. Having seen fashion around the world I am confident that British Fashion is Best and this is what I will be bringing to you. Keep checking back for updates and feel free to get in touch, your comments and feedback will let me know what you’re enjoying and what your not. Thanks for reading. Enjoy!

 

 

Guest Bloggers 

 

Ashleigh Mutton

Emma Lloyd

Maddie Worthington

 

Ask Coll?  Readers Letters

 

Collette Costello is a fashion industry professional.  She worked as a commercial designers and fashion designer before starting the “Collette Costello” label.

Her knowledge, expertise in fashion is vast and she is hear to answer your questions.  If you would like fashion advice from Collette Costello e-mail us, we will print and respond to the best letters.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Sewing Machine is Not Working the Thread are Becoming Tangled?

 

Dear Collette,

 

I make clothes in my spare time and have repeated problems using my sewing machine especially when I am about to finish sewing a dress.  The threads all bunch up on the underside of the fabric and the machine make a strange whistling noise.  I have looked at the instruction book, it doesn’t really say what to do to fix the problem.  The only suggestion is the tension is wrong, I try to change this and the problem keeps happening.  Do you have any suggestions as to why my machine is doing this as paying for the machine to be serviced is very expensive.  Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

Faye

 

Hello Faye,

 

the problem you are having is quite common and something that dressmakers or anyone using a sewing machine will at some time suffer from.  The threads becoming tangles happens all the time to members of my dressmaking classes.  Through trial and error I have managed to identify ten reasons why this maybe happening and how to fix the problem.  You can view my article on the web-site,

Top Ten Reasons Why Your Sewing Machine Has Stopped Working.  If you prefer I have up-loaded handy videos on to my You Tube channel, where I talk the view through the reasons why their sewing machine maybe becoming tangled

 

Collette Costello

 

 

The Best of British by Ruth Fuller gallery

 

10 Present Days of Christmas An Idea for Each Day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25 days until Christmas and counting. How’s the present shopping going? Don’t worry if you haven’t started, here is a selection of Christmas fashion and accessory gift ideas in a range of prices all from the Great British high street. Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

1. Scarf with Hood and Poms Poms!!!

 

Essential winter wear; super snuggily, super warm and super soft! A scarf with a hood is the best winter investment you can buy. The poms poms are a bonus! Can be found in many shops now, but this lovely one complete with pockets, can be found from Accessorise

 

2. Snowman PJs!

Cute snowman PJs from Topshop. Big lounge wear top with cute little snowman and snowflake print shorts. Perfect for getting cosy under the duvet on those dark evenings.

 

3. Bumble Bee Slippers!

These cute little buzzy bee slippers can be found in a selection of animal slippers at Urban Outfitters. Other animals include; a frog, dog, mouse and panda. A perfect secret Santa gift!

 

4. Vintage Mittens!

Just like the ones you had as a child complete with ‘don’t lose me string’. Keep your fingers warm when the snow comes. Available in a range of colours fromRiverIsland.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Bear Face Wolly Hat

Big bear face on your head, complete with ear flaps to keep you nice and warm, with pom pom ears. Many similar items in different shops but this one is from Republic.

 

6. Jumper Dress.

My favourite winter clothing. So comfy and easy to wear, choose a plain one to be accessorised in many different ways. This cosy looking one is from H&M, looks great with leggings and woolly boots.

 

7. Selection of Christmas Socks

Maybe not as a main present…but great stocking fillers. Gingerbread men, owls in Santa hats and reindeer print socks, all with a cute little bow. Get these pairs from Miss Selfridge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8. Sexy Miss Santa Claus

Like a yearly tradition, Ann Summers have again reinvented their Sexy Miss Santa outfit and what Christmas would be compete without a little dressing up and unwrapping.

9. News Years Party Dress

Every girl needs a fabulous dress to see in the New Year. This stunning satin number is limited edition so you know no one else will be wearing the same outfit. Can be bought off this very website as it is one of Collette’s own designs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10. Fluffy Ear-muffs!

For those days where your hair is just too good to cover up with a hat! Huge and fluffy and sure you keep you warm. Find them at Pull and Bear. (Liverpool,Londonand online!)

 

What’s Next?

Future Events/ Opportunities/ Jobs

 

City & Guild Pattern Cutting and Tailoring Courses

Want to learning dressmaking inManchester, while gaining a qualification?  Due to requests from course members in 2012 “Collette Costello” will be offering the chance to gain a college level qualification when you sign-up for one of our City and Guilds level pattern cutting and tailoring courses.  Coming soon, e-mail to express interest.

 

Independent Fashion Designers wanted for On-line Boutique

Alongside selling our exclusive “Collette Costello” dresses, skirts, handbags and purses.  We also promote and sell independent fashion designers.  Designers that compliment our brand will be offered a place in our “Indie Labels” store, for a small up-load fee and commission on sales.  A great way for new designers to sell their collections and gain exposure, e-mail for more details.

 

Wanted New Fashion Talent!

Fashion Designers, Models, photographers and make-up artists contact us with an example of your work.  Get involved in photo-shoots, catwalk shows and events.

 

Wanted Guest Bloggers

Submit a fashion article for publication in our on-line magazine.  This months theme is “Fashion in 2012”, write 250 – 500 words and include 1 -2 images, submit by 17^th December.

 

Guest Bloggers Fashion Articles

 

Vintage Christmas – by Ash Mutton

Three things Christmas and a vintage lifestyle have in common, they are cosy, indulgent and homely. So why not wrap your Christmas in some vintage loveliness this year and make it one to remember?

While looking towards some good old traditional Christmas activities, there are some limits. You may be considering carolling as a means to earning a little bonus Crimbo money and making others feel all warm inside, but unless you’re a professional you’d best leave it to them. Nothing less festive than having a door slammed in your face while you’re doing your best rendition of Little Donkey. Read on to find some crimbo tips that are both vintage and may even save you some pennies so you don’t have to carol for cash.

To some, the essence of Christmas is Children. To others, its food. Baking is the ultimate pastime to combine the two and have quality family time whilst creating some festive treats. If you have perhaps a niece, nephew or younger cousin you want to keep happy this Christmas, yet can’t afford whatever new creation Nintendo have come up with then baking is perfect to win you some good Auntie points. Simply visit: http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/stainedglasswindowbi_87505 for an amazing recipe for Stained Glass Shortbread biscuits. They produce beautifully sweet Christmassy treats which can even be hung on the tree. Get yourself some Christmas shaped biscuit cutters and try using green sweets for Christmas trees, yellow for stars and red for bauble shapes. Now you can be renowned as the Auntie who bakes amazing treats, even if you can’t afford to buy them anything they can play Sonic 3D on.

Another vintage festive activity to try is knitting. Now if you’re reading this article in December, then you perhaps have left it too late to take up this lamentably dying art. However if you start now, you may even be able to donate an odd-shaped mini-jumper to somebody’s Bulid-a-Bear. Then by next year, it’ll be naff Rudolph jumpers all round. Knitting is also something productive to do on cold December nights and gives you that cosy grandma feeling.

For a classier gift for others or even yourself, perfumes are a luxurious treat. Beautiful Christmas scents such as the famous and exclusive “White Christmas” perfume give you a festive scent, however this is particularly expensive. Instead try adorning yourself with scents such as red berry, cinnamon or vanilla to give yourself a festive odour. This works equally well as a gift, get hold of some vintage perfume bottles at markets or on eBay and pour your perfume in to make a beautiful present.

Using your Christmassy scents as room spray adds a cosy festive feel to your home, perfect for your seasonal party. Another good Christmas party idea is to first get hold of some good vintage Christmas films such as Miracle on 34^th Street, Its a Wonderful life and A Christmas Carol. Set these films up to play on your TV on mute during the party so as not to override your festive tunes. This audio visual set up gives a reminiscent Christmassy atmosphere, particularly if you use black and white films, combined with a bespoke art gallery feel.

Mulled wine brings out old-timey Christmas feelings in everyone, so what better tipple to serve at your party? Simply combine red wine, demerara sugar, one cinnamon stick, grated nutmeg, a bayleaf and a halved orange and heat in a saucepan until the sugar dissolves. Serve warm and add a touch of damson gin if you want your guests to get extra merry. Mulled wine; the easy way to add a home-made vintage touch whilst getting yourself good and jolly.

One last recommendation to make you feel 100% festive would be strolling aroundManchester’s Christmas market. Even if all you can afford is a hot choccie, the general yuletide atmosphere is as good as visiting St Nick himself. Hopefully these tips allow you to have a fun-filled vintage Christmas and save some pennies for New Year. Merry Christmas Vintage Lovers!

 

Christmas’ Vintage Magic by Emma Lloyd

 

The months leading up the festive period of Christmas are the months most fun and exciting when updating our wardrobes.  It is at this time, we find the best reasons to shop like our lives depend on it, to buy before we think and to spoil our loved ones like mad.  It is also when the magic in clothes comes alive, with the inspiration for most designers stemming from surreal ideas of Christmas fun and the festive party season.

The lust-worthy pieces that are ticking all the Christmas trend boxes this A/W are glam leather pieces, embellished statement dresses and items draped in luxurious fabrics of velvet, lace and chiffon. Vintage-inspired dresses, midi hemlines, art deco motifs and faux fur are top of the Christmas wish list for us ladies this year, with accessories taking centre stage for giving our looks extra edge.  Metal box clutches, pointed stilettos and bib necklaces are just some of the beautiful accessories available to us this season, that give our little black, red or leopard print dresses a unique twist.

 Daytime vintage looks are just as fun, with fur coats and fitted trenches being the coats of choice that last through every season.  When paired with skinny jeans and ankle boots, or woolly tights and ballet pumps, the coat allows us women to express our personalities while we keep warm and covered up in the blisteringly blustery winter we face each year.  However the real Christmas finds are those one-of-a-kind piece found in vintage stores; designer dresses that have been forgotten about, Christmas jumpers worn by grandfathers years ago as well as printed silk scarves discarded by those who may not have loved them first time round.

To give these items a second home amongst your recently purchased pieces is essentially what Christmas is all about.  So this year, when you’re desperately shopping for your Christmas outfits, take heed of my advice; enjoy the high street, explore the internet and visit the vintage stores, and I’m sure you’ll find some special little trinkets to take home and call them all your own.

 

 On-line Christmas Party Dresses by Maddie Worthington

I have moved from my Northern Quarter flat back to my small town home. And with payday a week away I’ve had to go somewhat cold turkey- On roamingOldham Streetand the likes for vintage treasures. However with Christmas coming up and all these parties to attend it is essential for us to be ready! From the comfort of my own living room I’ve been looking at the most beautiful vintage inspired pieces on my laptop.

With Vintage being brought to the present in a huge exciting way; there are numerous collections to choose from on the High street, as well as our favourite places to find fashion online, all with that Vintage Vibe. Here are my favourite designs just in time for the season to be sparkly! I must say that I love the clothes and shoes! at Very.co.uk at the moment. With Celebrity Fashions sported and designed by Vintage Worshippers and trend setters Fearne Cotton and Holly Willoughby. Put some of these on your Christmas List and you’ll be ready for that New Years Eve Party..

Red is always a winner for Christmas, it’s festive, it’s sultry and it demands attention when you walk into a room. Here in a dress you can find at Very.co.uk Holly channels a strong 50s look. The 50s was a time in which women were supposed to adhere to the stereotype of housewife and mother. But lead dual lives that can be seen in the use of fashion at the time; fashion was used to assert their independence and sexuality. No other woman can be said to have embodied that idea of independence, power and sexiness combined with sweetness than the gorgeous Marilyn Monroe. With much use of sheer fabrics women had lady like hemlines whilst still showing off their curves. Make like Holly, and release your inner Scarlet Screen Siren in a 50s flirty prom dress this Christmas. Sheer is huge this winter. Below are a few beautiful finds that; – (like the ladies in the 50s) fulfil the paradox of covering up whilst subtly and sexily showing off!

 

And finally the sparkling numbers. Keep it glitz and glam by focusing all the attention on the dress. Keep accessories to a minimum to avoid looking like a Christmas bauble. Let the dress do the talking and sizzle in your sequins. Most of the vintage inspired glitzy numbers below can be found at Very.co.uk. These looks very much channel the 1920s glamorous flapper look; fringing and sequins galore! The more fitted gown, with the unique vintage collar attached can be found at ASOS on Sale. Fingers on buttons and mice at the ready ladies, who knew finding vintage inspiration can be as easy as a click of a button!

 Crimson and glittering; created by Fearne inspired by Vintage. Christmas Chic made simple at Very.co.uk.                          

 

Thank You for Reading, 

Have a brillant Christmas and an even better New Year!

From

Collette Costello