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Flatforms: Fashion yes, fashion no or fashion faux pas?

A combination of the 90's platform and the modest flat shoe: Flatform.  What is it that makes these give-or-take shoes the edge that makes them bang on trend for 2013?  The clever combination of height and comfort, that's what!

The reoccurring side effect to common high heels wearers is the unmistakably dreaded pain that's been untreatable since forever with tried, tested and failed solutions including insoles and gel pad shoe inserts.  Is there finally a long awaited cure?  With the likes of Chanel and Prada backing the latest trend, surely they're a 'yes' from everyone?

"They are hideous!  They make big feet look bigger, not trendy at all."  Charlotte Ridge, from Clayton-le-Moors, Lancashire said. "Just brave through the pain!"

Evidently not.

With celebrities such as Rihanna, Jessica Alba and Jessie J all rocking the latest look, shops have gone crazy to stock their own versions of the level platforms.  Topshop have faux pony skin flatforms for £50 where as Debenhams offer suede versions at just £22.



Leanne Finch, 54 from Wilpshire comments on the throwback fashion.

"I love my flatforms, I can dance all night in them" says student Lauren Finch who lives in Manchester. "They are trendy and comfortable, I'm a size 7 and I don't think that my feet look big.  Yes for all year round."

Daniella Blackledge, 21 from the Ribble Valley also loves the trend but wanted something a little different.  "I bought my leather flatforms from Topshop, but everyone has them now.  I decided to get creative with some spikes I bought on eBay for £5.  Everyone compliments me on them."

Daniella's customised Topshop flatforms.

The trend could have come from the 90's girl band, The Spice Girls who often donned eccentric footwear including these platformed trainers (which are also making a comeback!)

Image courtesy of Grazia magazine

Laura Sykes, Digital fashion student at UCLan said "I am 5'10 and always wear flats out, as I don't want to be taller than everyone else!  I do wear flatforms now as they are comfortable and give the illusion of heels, with only adding a little height.  They are a perfect trend for me."

With this years Marmite version of shoe trend being flatforms, already being worn by celebrities and stocked by high street stores, appropriate for small girls, tall girls, heel lover or flat shoe embracer, it begs the question.   Will you or won't you?

This post was written by Rachel Finch.  You can contact me at rfinch@uclan.ac.uk

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Reviving British manufacturing: closer than you think

For years British companies have been sending their manufacturing to China- labour and mass production are cheap and the workers have a more dedicated work ethic.  According to a survey taken out buy the Engineering Employers Federation (EEF) this is about to change.  Recent reports show that around 40% of British companies are bringing production home after recent economical and natural disasters that have occurred off shore.

Marks and Spencer, one of Britain's most famous retail department store sell 61,000,000 pairs of knickers a year- that have all been imported.  With reports from July 2012 stating that 963,000 unemployed young people are living in the UK, figures cannot be ignored that the recession has hit the country hard.


The closing of Cotton Mills in Lancashire in the 70's also put a strain on the textiles business, as it was cheaper to send production abroad.  Mary Portas, business woman and retail expert, put reviving British manufacturing to the test by kick starting production of high qualities knickers in a half shut down factory.  It was dubbed 'The Great British knicker experiment' and after 'Kinky Knickers' exploded on to the fashion scene, the demand for 100% British-made clothing has sky rocketed.


Portas took on apprentices, the long-term unemployed to work in her factory to gain new skills for her hit television series 'Mary's Bottom Line'.  Mary's risky experiment worked- the public were in demand for British made textiles and took the Mancunian family-run business Headen & Quarmby from a 5,000 per year production run to orders of 45,000 from prestigious stores including House of Fraser, Selfridges and Liberty.  A more modern market for the booming brand is ASOS.com, the UK's largest online-only fashion and beauty store, attracting younger clients to the underwear.  


Apprenticeships are known to help businesses grow and help find raw, new talent, however, there has been a decrease in trades in recent years as many people feel a degree is the way to compete in the job market.  Perhaps not for long.


More close to home, local luxury leather goods manufacturer Deni-Deni, is putting their own stamp of the revival of British manufacturing.  


Denise Pearson, originally from Newcastle, started her business after training in traditional leather goods at the prestigious Cordwainers College in London (now part of London College of Fashion)  After graduating first of her piers and gaining the rarely awarded 'Gold medal', Denise opened a small studio making individual couture handbags with techniques she learned at the college, who's impressive alumni include Jimmy Choo and Patrick Cox.  

Deni-Deni's impressive collection

Denise originally created beautiful hand crafted luggage and handbags but as the company grew, she included accessories and furnishings into her collection.

Through natural progression, the studio has developed into a four strong team based in Haslingden, Rossendale.  Apprentices are a big part of the progress at Deni-Deni, and Denise is currently working with her third after taking on the previous apprentices full time after having built the studio to a thriving and engaging business.  Her team includes Katie St.John, Blackburn, Hannah Borrowdale, Manchester and Francesca Tudda also from Blackburn.


Katie St.John, 22, former apprentice at Deni-Deni said "I got the apprenticeship after studying a BTEC in Textiles and Fashion at college after failing to get into University.  It is the best thing I have ever done and have had a hands on approach that University could never have given me.  I now work full time for the company."


"I am proud to be part of the next generation to keep British manufacturing alive" she continued.

Katie at work

Deni-Deni has an enviable portfolio, including James Lock & Co, who's client base include the royals, and Topshop Unique that show at London Fashion Week (LFW) twice a year.  Topshop Unique, unlike it's high street sister Topshop, is not mass produced and Deni-Deni are the only supplier of the leather crafted bags.


Excitingly, another big name has been picked up by Denise and her employees more recently, after international knitwear designer Mark Fast approached the Rossendale based company in demand for a piece for his collection.


"Mark invited us down to LFW where we watched our bag in the show and caught up with him back stage" said Katie.  "It was so exciting but we tried to remain professional!"


As the new year begins, a new year is beginning for British manufacturing.  The small and subtle changes Britain's companies are making to boost the revival of textiles within the UK could be the step it needs to bring the rest of Britain behind them, to bring back production to this country with, more excitingly, a varied range of apprenticeships and new jobs.

For enquiries, contact Deni-Deni on 01706 26 06 06 or visit their website.




This post was written by Rachel Finch.  You can contact me at rfinch@uclan.ac.uk

Audio skills test

I have interviewed 57 year old Glynis Shackleton from Blackburn, 31 year old Alana Greenlees and 5 year old Harry Greenlees from Mellor for my vox pop.

 I decided to continue with the X Factor theme and asked the question "Who do you think deserves to win the X Factor".

The audio is 45 seconds long.


This post was written by Rachel Finch.  You can contact me at rfinch@uclan.ac.uk