From Rags to Bitches to workshops

The loss of vintage fashion boutique, Rags To Bitches from its Northern Quarter location earlier this year, had vintage shoppers crying into their 1950s handkerchiefs.

Now trading under the all-encompassing name of The World of Rags To Bitches, the retailer has set up school rather than shop in the Triangle shopping centre. Workshops include dress-making, vintage make-up, jewellery-making and other textile crafts

The store, along with others in the area, flew the flag for interactive shopping experiences as well as providing an unrivalled bargain hunt. Yet despite all this, the fashion footfall just wasn’t hitting the Tib Street boutique and thus, the unit is now vacant.

However, all is not lost for Rags To Bitches – aside from the unit itself which cost co-owner, Simon Buckley “£40,000 just to get the doors open”.

Now trading under the all-encompassing name of The World of Rags To Bitches, the retailer has set up school rather than shop in the Triangle shopping centre. Workshops include dress-making, vintage make-up, jewellery-making and other textile crafts. The Rags to Bitches team moved in September and have been singing the praises of their new set-up ever since, via their blog:

‘We sense a new soap opera is about to begin…The first thing that is noticeable is how much busier it is. On Tib St, especially in winter, we used to sometimes think we should get a St Bernard and a brandy barrel to welcome people if they made it that far off Market St, but the Triangle is full of light and people are around all the time.”

Simon Buckley added: "There's nothing like this in UK city centres and we're really excited that Triangle has been so forward thinking in working with us to establish these courses. It gives us the chance to make them available, not just to the wider community, but to kids and schools too.”

Special workshops will run throughout the October half-term holiday. Jewellery making classes are running from 10am – 12pm and 2 – 4pm on Friday 29 October and fascinator-making workshops, from 10am – 12pm and 2 - 4pm on Monday 25 October. For all upcoming courses, see below.

How to Make a Dress
10am – 5pm, Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 October
10am – 5pm, Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 November
10am – 5pm, Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 November

How to use a sewing machine
10am – 5pm, Sunday 24 October
10am – 5pm, Sunday 14 November

Customising workshop
2pm - 5pm, Sunday 31 October

How to do vintage make-up
2pm – 5pm, Saturday 16 October

How to make a fascinator
2pm - 4pm, Saturday 16 October
10am – 12noon and 2pm – 4pm, Monday 25 October (half-term)

How to make jewellery
2pm – 4pm, Saturday 23 October
10am -12noon and 2pm - 4pm, Friday 29 October (half-term)

For more information and to book, visit the website or email here