History-defining North West fashion house Horrockses has joined forces with rising star of the sustainable-yet-affordable clothing market, Joanie Clothing, to create a show-stopping collectable range steeped in history and style.
The Horrockses Fashions x Joanie collection, composed of an exclusive range of vintage-inspired dresses, is full of 1950s silhouettes influenced and inspired by your favourite Horrockses designs from the archive, as well as some of the classic Joanie shapes you know and love.
The sustainably sourced, 100% organic cotton dresses feature some of the most kitsch and interesting Horrockses prints, painstakingly reproduced by Joanie’s female-led design team to replicate the look and feel of original vintage Horrockses dresses.
When creating this range, Joanie set out to make modern heirlooms – dresses that will be treasured and passed down like the Horrockses originals – living up to the famous Horrockses tagline: this year, next year – and always.
Creating garments that are easy to wear and care for with added stretch and an increased size range means that the new collection is accessible, inclusive, and durable.
First launching in the 1940s, Horrockses original collections were known for their high-quality fabrics and vibrant, playful prints, worn by the likes of Joan Collins, Princess Margaret, and even Queen Elizabeth II, who selected several dresses for her Royal Tour of the Commonwealth.
Image courtesy of Horrockses
Many members of the royal family were fans of Horrockses designs in the 1950s and beyond, which contributed hugely to their appeal. The Queen’s Royal Tour of the Commonwealth created a surge of interest in the brand, as for the first time, Horrockses Fashions made it possible for many middle and working-class people to own the same dress as the Queen.
Interest in the brand has continued long after the fashion house officially closed its doors in 1983. Horrockses Fashions iconic dresses are highly sought after on the vintage market due to their unique designs, rich history, and superior quality.
Creating feel-good garments with a nod to nostalgia, Joanie Clothing strives to create unique designs that take your favourite vintage pieces and reimagine them for the modern, everyday wardrobe. They are favoured by celebrities and influencers alike, with well-known fans including Lorraine Kelly, Zoella, and Holly Willoughby. Joanie is proud to design everything in-house at their HQ in Manchester, UK.
As a fiercely independent brand driven by a love of vintage style and dedicated to making clothing that lasts, this latest collaboration with acclaimed label Horrockses Fashions is a perfect fit for Joanie.
Joanie’s conscious choice to provide inclusive sizing and create sustainable clothing at an affordable price point is a huge part of what makes the brand unique. Horrockses’ original collections were known for their higher price points and, reflective of the time, limited sizing. Within this exclusive collaboration, Joanie is reimagining the iconic garments and creating a line that’s accessible and affordable for all, without compromising on quality, ensuring the designs can be worn and re-worn for years to come: this year, next year – and always.
Image courtesy of Horrockses
Joanie Clothing Ltd brand director Lucy comments: “To find an original Horrockses dress, to me, is like hitting the vintage jackpot! Discovering one in a charity shop or at a vintage fair is like striking gold; a dress shaped keyhole into the past, a glimpse of the glamour of bygone times. To be able to open the archive books and reinterpret these iconic designs is an honour for Joanie.
The parallels between Horrockses’ offices at Pin Mill Brow, and ours, just a stone’s throw away in Ardwick, Manchester are plain to see; so much has moved on in the world, yet so much remains the same too.”
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Horrockses Fashions x Joanie is set to showcase the exclusive collection at the official launch event taking place on April 21st at the International Anthony Burgess Foundation.
