It all began in 2018, with founder Elizabeth Morgan’s frustration at fast fashion online and on the high-street. Shops where pieces of clothing were not seen as something to treasure, made to stand the test of time, but as a throwaway solution for a fleeting moment. Looking to create a more considered, curated womenswear shopping experience, she created The Norah Store. Now situated in the heart of bustling Ancoats, it’s a platform for small, independent designers and brands from across the world, promoting a ‘live fast, shop slow’ attitude we can definitely get onboard with.
Racks, shelves and rails are filled with hand-picked items discovered on various retail-focused adventures. The team here are incredibly passionate about what they do, so every item comes from a maker the staff have been out and met, in turn getting an understanding of their principles, ethics and processes. At the time of writing, for example, this includes a slew of amazing Barcelona designers like Caro Luna, Black To Grey, Alameda and Levens, many of which simply aren’t available anywhere else in town, or even the UK. Other examples include the cult Copenhagen favourite Hosbjerg, cult footwear specialist Miista, and Beams Boy, the first Japanese label to find a place in this emporium of rare and exclusive styles.
With fans of the store including Self Esteem, celebrated make-up artist Katie Jane Hughes, and ‘Sex Education’ star Aimee Lou Wood, and having appeared in publications such as Elle magazine, to describe The Norah Store as a secret would be pushing it. Nevertheless, it remains a hidden gem, treasured by those who know and waiting to be discovered by everyone else. A store for womenswear brands in a city dominated by menswear, Norah Store is the only destination you need when looking for alternatives to a quick fashion fix, and something with more longevity than a passing trend. The team are also big on community, hence SIP+SHOP from 6-9pm every first Thursday of the month, inviting you to peruse glass-in-hand thanks to a collaboration with KERB next door, and various other regular, semi-regular, and one-off events.