Crafts, couture and clothes swaps – Body Confidential has your November diary sorted

The festive season may be creeping upon us, but this month’s calendar of events is more crafty than Christmas. From customising heels and DIY jewellery, to discovering Manchester’s future in fashion – plus the brands that are paving the way – here’s the events to put on your radar this November.    


MEMI Makeup launch| Neighbourhood Bar, Greek Street Leeds, 1 November

Millennial makeup meets premium quality: introducing MEMI makeup, the brainchild of Leeds-duo Jack Thompson and Millie Watson. Offering a premium feel at affordable prices, the MEMI range launches today at Leed’s Neighbourhood bar, with the collection available online later this month. From party-perfect lipsticks, to everyday moisturisers and makeup bag essentials, the collection prides itself on ‘everyday glamour’.  

Sneak peak of the iconic millennial eyeshadow palette #comingsoon
A post shared by MEMI Makeup (@memimakeup_uk) on

The Couture Club new store opening | Manchester Trafford Centre

Street style meets premium quality; welcome to The Couture Club. Made in Manchester by local socialites Ross Worswick and Scott Shashua, the online brand credits much of its success to its popularity amongst influencers and reality TV stars including the cast of ITV’s Ex On The Beach. This month sees The Couture Club make its debut in the virtual world with a flagship store in Manchester Trafford Centre. Browse sartorially-lead menswear ranges and custom-made pieces for a unique shopping experience.

Couture Club 

Marie Claire x Emporio Armani| Spinningfields Manchester, 1 November

Get a glimpse at the luxury Italian brand’s AW17 collection at this exclusive event, hosted by Marie Claire Fashion Director, Jayne Pickering. Try on the brand’s iconic power-play tailoring and standout partywear – a photographer will be on hand to capture your look - or pick up some tips as Pickering talks through seasonal highlights.

Tickets £10 – buy them here

2017 11 1 Marie Claire  Emporio Armani Store Event
Marie Claire x Emporio Armani

Radio in a day for Women | All FM 96.9 Radio, Levenshulme, 6 November 

Fancy broadcasting your voice to the thousands? Say no more. Part of the Festival of Social Science, which runs over 300 nationwide events in the second week of November, this one-day workshop invites you to plan, build and broadcast a live radio show to South, East and Central Manchester. Learn the ropes of radio and broadcast your ideas to Manchester and beyond – no prior experience necessary.

Free – register here

Dear Drew by Drew Barrymore | Amazon Fashion, November

Whilst the rest of the world was a fluster with Halloween do’s and don’ts, Drew Barrymore spent the end of October launching, albeit discreetly, a new fashion label for Amazon Fashion. Cutely coined ‘Dear Drew’, the new label is designed to be ‘a love letter to women all around the world’, with heart motifs and poetic quotes flavouring the collection. Featuring everything from silk bralets to contemporary earrings and hair styling tools, the full collection made its debut in the US, with a selective sample of the Dear Drew jewellery available on Amazon UK.

Shop Dear Drew jewellery here

2017 11 1 Dear Drew By Drew Barrymore
Drew Barrymore collaborates with Amazon Amazon

Mapping the Body talk| Manchester Art Gallery, 11 November, 11.00am - Noon

Fashion meets psychology at this insightful event. Discover how fashion is more than just what we wear, as Researchers in Health and Social Psychology reveal its influence over our sense of identity and body image. Explore 3D scans of your body and learn how the links between fashion, fit and body image can boost positivity and acceptance.

Free – register here  

Manchester Identity Unworn Clothes Swap | Manchester City Art Gallery, 11 November, 11.00am – 1.00pm

Swap your unwanted garms for something a little more glam at this clothes swap with a difference. Led by Dr Shuyu Lin, a Senior Lecturer at Manchester Fashion Institute, this interactive event hopes to offer a creative space for women through the lens of fashion. Trade treasured clothes and share the stories of their success, get styling and fashion advice or capture your favourite looks with an on-site photoshoot.

Free – register here

2017 11 1 Clothes Swap  Image Credit Artificial Photography
Manchester Identity Unworn Clothes Swap Manchester City Art Gallery

Deeds not words: a one-day event celebrating women’s activism in Manchester | PLANT NOMA, 12 November

Keen to refute Manchester’s status as one of the worst cities to be a girl in (according to 2016 reports), the Women’s Equality Party is hosting a one-day conference to highlight the Manchester women who dedicate their lives to levelling the playing field. Celebrating activists, feminists and inspirational role models, the event brings together people across Manchester to learn from their predecessors and forge new campaigns to tackle equality.

Tickets £10 – buy them here 

‘Project Craft’ Workshops | Paperchase St Mary’s Gate, Manchester, Various Dates

Get crafty for Christmas with a host of creative workshops available at Manchester’s Paperchase. From scrapbooking (10 November) and Christmas card making (17 November), to origami garlands (12 November) and gingerbread gift boxes (18 November), Project Craft has a full calendar of workshops perfect for lovers of homemade art.

Tickets £10-20 - buy them here

Silver Ring Wax Carving workshop | Beaumont Organic, NQ, 12 November

Craft your own one-of-a-kind ring at this unique workshop, hosted at recently launched independent designer Beaumont Organic. Carve your design out of wax under the watchful eye of Rebecca (Rebecca Winder Fine Jewellery), before your masterpiece is taken away to be cast in silver. Limited spaces available.

Tickets £69 – buy them here

2017 11 1 Wax Carving Silver Ring Workshop – Beaumont Organic
Beaumont Organic

Digital Fashion Futures | Manchester Harvey Nichols, 15 November

From cottonopolis to ecommerce empire, Manchester is leading the way in the digital fashion revolution. Join BBC North West presenter Eno Eruotor as she discusses Manchester’s role in the future of fashion alongside Nadine Merabi, celebrity fashion designer, Leanne Bayley, Content Editor at Glamour Magazine, Mark Leach, Head of Ecommerce for Missguided and Coronation Street’s Catherine Tyldesley.

6pm – 7.30pm. Free – register here

Customising heels workshop | Manchester Arora Hotel, 25 November, 1.00pm – 4.00pm

Who says you can’t stick feathers to your footwear? Whether it’s steeping stilettos in Swarovski crystals or reworking bridal lace into chunky converse, independent shoe designer Nicky Rox is an expert in transforming everyday shoes into custom creations. In this 3-hour workshop, Rox shares her industry expertise whilst helping you create fancy footwear to take home.  

Tickets £64.31 – buy them here

Angela Mason launches Manchester’s first hair extension salon| Burton Road, West Didsbury, 24 November

South Manchester inhabitants are soon to find dreamy locks on their doorstep, as Burton Road hosts Manchester’s first ever hair extension salon. Stocking the highest quality human hair, the new salon will offer clip-in pieces and heat-free techniques, as well as a pick-n-mix blow dry bar that lets you tailor your treatment to find the perfect finish.

Prices (for 18 inches) range from £350 for Gold, £460 for Platinum and £750 for Diamond Tier.

2017 11 1 Angela Mason Hair Extensions2
Angela Mason hair extensions

Aussie Brand Colette by Colette Hayman new store launch | Manchester Arndale, November

With 160 stores staked out across the globe, Aussie brand Colette By Colette Hayman is set to make its debut in the UK with flagship stores in London and Manchester. Chunky statement earrings, bold yet wearable bags and on-trend accessories at surprisingly affordable prices – all will be revealed at Manchester Arndale this November. Watch out Accessorize…

Colette Hayman

2017 11 1 Colette By Colette Hayman Shopfront Image Credit Retail Gazette
Colette Hayman to open Manchester Arndale