Sequins: What’s hot in the district’s fashion boutiques as party season kicks off

With Christmas just one month away, many of us are starting to think about our looks for the party season, as well as special gifts to buy or our loved ones.

Fortunately in the Harrogate district we are blessed with some fabulous independent fashion boutiques.

We asked four business owners what was currently flying off the shelves as we approach the big day.

Infinity & Co boutique, Harrogate

Sam Gallagher, owner of Infinity & Co boutique, which has just launched its newly-refurbished store at the Victoria Shopping Centre, said the key word for Christmas was “sequins – and lots of them!”

She said:

“We have trousers, tops, blouses, dresses and jackets in and they are so popular. They can be worn dressed up but it’s also fun to wear them casually too. We have them in lots of metallic shades of gold, champagne, copper black and rose gold, along with some brights too.

“We have also been selling chunky oversized cardigans to wear with boots and PU (synthetic leather) joggers, ideal for walking around a Christmas market.

“Colours this season are lots of neutrals of camel, winter white and black and for the bright colours we have had a strong reaction to raspberry, teal, emerald and cobalt.”

Porters, Harrogate

Andy Shuttleworth, manager of Porters, on James Street, said shirts and dresses were selling fast ahead of the party season.

He said:

“We have got a great selection of occasion shirts and party dresses. They are always very popular this time of year.

“Accessories, which can be bought for gifts and stocking fillers, like socks and underwear, are popular too.

“Brands people particularly like at the moment are Traffic People, which does wonderful party dresses, and shirts from Guide London and Claudio Lugli.

“The trend is currently ‘glitz’ and the shirts are bright and bold – ready for the party season.”

Fennec & Darwin, Harrogate

Aideen Fox, owner of Fennec & Darwin, on Montpellier Mews, said accessories to help you keep warm were currently proving the most popular.

She said:

“I’m finding gift items, such as my slippers and scarves which retail for £19.99, have been my top-sellers on the run-up to Christmas.

“Especially with energy prices going up so much, it’s important to keep warm.”

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Wild Thing boutique, Knaresborough

Dianne Houghton, owner of Wild Thing boutique on Knaresborough’s High Street, said it was currently all about the sparkle.

She said:

“Sparkling dresses are popular at the moment, but they are not just for Christmas. You can make outfits sparkle by accessorising jewellery and layering-up, but still being comfortable.”

Hair, lashes and nails: How to glam-up for Harrogate’s party season

After last year’s Christmas’s party season (if you can call it that) turned out to be a huge disappointment, this year we’re going all out.

And we are all definitely going out, out.

That means sequins, glitter, dressing up, standing out and generally getting into party spirit like never before – Harrogate is ready!

With everything from Christmas parties to festive dinners, and of course the big day itself to prepare for, we’ve spoken to three women from the town’s beauty industry to give you a helping hand with your festive beauty prep.

Hair

‘Caramel brownie’ beach waves at Meraki Harrogate

Wella master colour expert Sarah Townend, owns Meraki Harrogate Salon and Luxury Blow-Dry Bar, in the Westminster Arcade. 

What are your top tips for getting ready for a Christmas party?

  1. PLANNING. Make sure you have planned your outfit, how your makeup is going to look and obviously what you want your hair to look like.
  2. Book yourself in for a blow-dry. It creates one less job for you to do whilst getting ready and you know it is going to last you all night from dinner and drinks, to dancing the night away!
  3. Find a great playlist to have on in the background whilst you get ready. Whether it’s upbeat Christmas songs or the charts, it’ll definitely get you in the dancing, merry mood.

What are this year’s hair trends? Have you noticed a particular style that is being requested more than others?

The classic beach waves is a go-to with stylists and clients. It is one of those fantastic hairstyles that you can dress up or dress down and looks amazing on everybody.

Have you noticed that you are more busy than usual this year? If so, do you think this is because people are desperate to get glammed up?

Absolutely! Our blow-dry bar has been busier than ever, with everyone wanting the luxury of getting pampered before their big night out.

Are you going to a Christmas party this year? What are you most looking forward to? 

We’ve opted for a low-key Christmas party this year due to the busyness of the salon and the blow-dry bar. A few drinks and fantastic company is all we need.

Brows and lashes

This year’s lash trends include hybrid, volume and classic lashes

Nikolett Taba, is a lash and brow stylist and owns The Lash Room at The Coach House, Victoria Avenue, which she opened in August.

What are your top tips for getting ready for a Christmas party?

  1. Treat yourself to semi-permanent eyelashes. Luscious lashes will add the perfect finishing touch to your Christmas party looks.
  2. Get your brows done by a professional stylist. This would be a perfect combination with your lashes and save you time while you getting ready for the party.
  3. If you would like to spice it up, you never can go wrong with a red lipstick to finish the party look.

What are this year’s brow and lash trends? Have you noticed a particular style that is being requested more than others?

This year definitely brow lamination is the hottest trend for brows. Brow lamination, also referred to as a ‘brow lift’, is a service that creates the look of full, fluffy brows by realigning the directional hair growth and enhancing the brow shape.

This year’s lash trends include hybrid, volume and classic lashes. For those who like the natural look, it’s the lash lift with a tint.

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Have you noticed that you are more busy than usual this year? If so, do you think this is because people are desperate to get glammed up?

For a year, most of us had the same hobbies. Watching Netflix, baking banana bread or walking to the park. Most of the time we have worn loungewear with a mask covering our face.

So I think we are all more than ready and excited than ever for this year’s Christmas season, having people around us and spending quality time with friends and family.

Are you going to a Christmas party this year? What are you most looking forward to? 

I am going out for a work Christmas do at the beginning of December to Lucia.

At the end of December I have hired a room with my friend to celebrate New Year and spend some much needed time together! I can’t wait to dance, eat and enjoy each other’s company!

Nails

Gold-tipped nails add some festive glamour

Helen Wren is a nail artist, who launched a salon at her home on Cold Bath Road, Harrogate, 12 months ago.

What are your top tips for getting ready for a Christmas party?

  1. Try your best to plan your outfit and stick to it. Try it on before so you know you’re 100 per cent comfortable and know you’re feeling your best.
  2. Prep anything you can a day or even two days before if possible! I like to false tan a couple of nights before just so it settles a little and looks natural.
  3. If you’re having a cheeky alcoholic beverage or two, then be sure to hydrate lots before you even start. Hydration is key to everything beauty in my opinion. Nails, hair, skin. Especially during party season!

What are this year’s nail trends? Have you noticed a particular style that is being requested more than others?

Some of the trends in nail art right now are fantastic. Some crazy, graphic bright colours and even textures. Then some beautifully understated nude or simple colours and designs. It’s such a fun creative industry to be in.

One thing is for sure you cannot escape the glitter at Christmas. Be it very minimal and soft over a nude colour, or deep disco party vibes. It’s a win!

Greens are having a massive moment right now and I think this will carry through the festive season, plus a simple gold foil tip. Minimal but super glamorous.

Lastly for me, you cannot beat a classic short, clean Christmas candy red!

Have you noticed that you are more busy than usual this year? If so, do you think this is because people are desperate to get glammed up?

So I can’t actually compare to this time last year, as I was literally about to launch my new business. I started trading on December 1, 2020, so I’m coming up to my first birthday.

I feel very lucky to have the support and lovely clients I do, but I can tell you December is nearly fully-booked so Harrogate is DEFINITELY getting party ready!

Are you going to a Christmas party this year? What are you most looking forward to? 

I will of course be going Christmas partying this year. In fact, last weekend was my first! Being self-employed and working alone there’ll be no works do for me, but getting out with the girls, be it dinner, drinks and dancing – all three I hope – I absolutely can’t wait.

Merry Christmas Harrogate!