Wow! We’ve been really overwhelmed with the response to Indie Quarter. After launching last month we’ve received dozens of emails from independent designers who are interested in appearing in the blog. We have already featured some excellent designers and artists and we have lots more to showcase in the New Year.

If you are an indie designer and would like to appear in the blog, we would be delighted to hear from you. Blog entries are free! Please email blog@indiequarter.com with details of your company/brand, what you design/make and a link (if applicable) to your website.

If you don’t have a website, you may want to check out our range of web services at www.vanillastorm.com. Prices start at just £200 plus VAT.

We would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous 2006!

Jenny and Richard
Indie Quarter

I have recently become an auntie for the first time and I was therefore delighted to come across Little Hooligan.

Clare Hourigan of Little Hooligan has designed a gorgeous range of knitwear for the style conscious baby. All garments are hand knitted in the UK and hand finished using vintage buttons and trimmings. They are made from the softest merino wool and arrive wrapped in luxury tissue paper in their own ribboned boxes.

I ordered the jaunty beret in white chocolate (above) and a pair of the white chocolate mittens. They are every bit as cute as their pictures. I’ve also got my eye on the 1950s matinee jacket, ’for the very fashion-forward baby who loves retro’.

As well as the cosy knitwear, Little Hooligan also sells a range of ’lovely other stuff’. They have sourced a range of very special products from other companies who share their ethos. See the Bill Amberg sheepskin lined bootees (below) ‘for feet that need to be the last word in luxury’ .

You can buy Little Hooligan products from www.littlehooligan.co.uk.

Barry Norton of Norton Photographic combines a number of elements through his art ’ photography, painting, graffiti and sculpture. He is extremely passionate about his work and was deeply inspired by his grandfather’s experiences in Guyana. His own interests in travel, history and culture are demonstrated through his photography.

Barry has achieved considerable recognition through a number of exhibitions and displays, including the Harris Art Gallery, Brew and Art Lounge. Some of his work is currently on display at the San Carlo restaurant on King Street, Manchester and at the Harris Art Gallery in Preston (see below).

Barry Norton’s work can be viewed at www.nortonphotographic.com.

If you haven’t yet bought your Christmas cards, you might want to check out Fibre Designs.

I came across Fibre Designs earlier this year when I called in at the Craft and Design Centre in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. Designer Jessica Livsey has worked in London, New York and Paris selling her designs and now sells out of her Manchester Studio.

Jessica’s range of unique greetings cards are all intricately hand crafted ‘using a collage technique which combines text, fabric, ribbon and pressed flowers’. She also sells a range of small framed collages which make great gifts for housewarmings, weddings, christenings and other special occasions.

For further information or to order online, please visit www.fibredesigns.com.

With the party season in full swing, forget your little black dress and check out Mark Anthony’s glamorous ‘little black tops’. Inspired by iconic women (see Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel design above and Sophia Loren design below), these classic, feminine tops are for women who want to turn heads.

Each top is hand decorated with sparkly crystals from Swarovski and other leading houses.

‘Glitter by candlelight for evening with slinky skirts or get down and funky for a sparkling girly lunch, teamed with jeans and impossibly high heels.’

Who will you be wearing?

To view the Mark Anthony range of little black tops, go to www.markanthonydesign.com.