vintage manchester venue

Chairs on tour #styleyourcity in Manchester

Posted on by Susan Earlam

old and new in manchester vintage swimming baths

Sometimes, something comes into my inbox which scares and excites me in equal measures. Taking a pair of chairs on a tour of Manchester- say what?!

These photos are the result of that initial email from Italian furniture design house Calligaris. Pushing me out of my comfort zone, the brief was to take two of their chairs on a tour of my city, and “Style My City” with the chairs.

As you probably know, I love mixing old and new together and I really wanted to convey this on my tour of Manchester with the chairs.

Below is a shot including the Hilton Beetham Tower in the background (currently the tallest skyscraper in Manchester) alongside the older aircraft hanger to the left of the image which is part of the Museum of Science & Industry here in Manchester.

hilton and mosi in manchester

This Guerrilla style shooting is not something I’ve done for a long time but I really loved the end result.

I chose these particular chairs (called Claire) as I think they have a real 60s vibe to them. I could really picture them on the set of Mad Men, perhaps in Don Drapers office. They are such a classic shape.

victorian swimming baths manchester

I was extremely lucky to gain special permission to shoot inside one of Manchester’s most iconic landmarks for #StyleYourCity, the stunning Victoria Baths. It was such a treat for me to go inside and photograph the old, side by side with the new.

I love how the chairs give a sense of time and place to the shots. (first image, below and above)

vintage manchester venue

Many people when they think of Manchester, think of football or music. So I took the chairs to see Manchester City’s ground Eastlands. We tried to get a shot on the other side of the city at Old Trafford too, home of Manchester United but security was tight and it wasn’t meant to be.

#stylemycity calligaris man city

We did get this iconic road name though which is tucked behind Old Trafford!

sir-alex-ferguson-way

Manchester has some fantastic street art and I really wanted to get a shot of the chairs with some work from one of the most well known artists around, Akse_p19. This one of Kevin Spacey as Frank Underwood is one of my favorites!

manchester street art mauldeth road railway

I couldn’t take the chairs around Manchester without a visit to Salford Lads club (technically in Salford obvs) these doorways were made famous by The Smiths and it is a pilgrimage which many fans still make today. We made a friend whilst there too!

manchester tour calligaris salford lad club manchester history

To see more of the #StyleYourCity Calligaris shots from all over the world go here.

green victorian tiles at victoria baths in manchester

Published by Susan Earlam

Writer of fiction, lifestyle and home interiors

23 thoughts on “Chairs on tour #styleyourcity in Manchester”

  3. SUSIE I LOVE THIS. Karen showed me this morning and it’s such a cool campaign idea, although very much out of everyone’s comfort zones, I imagine. I love the cat/Salford Lads Club one in particular.

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  4. Hi Susie,
    Pleasure to meet you. 🙂

    Fabulous pair of chair which comes with incredible look and I became fan watching this in many places. Great photographs considering a pair of chairs in various places. Within few moment spending in your post, I have learned many things about the great city Manchester. Your photo capturing style is quite impressive and therefore, all photographs are captured very well.

    Manchester street art is awesome and glad to be familiar-ed with. It’s like sitting a chair the whole city had turned. Thanks for sharing your Manchester tour experience with a pair a chairs.

    Have a good day ahead.
    – Ravi.

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  5. Oh I love it! And I love that you took them to Victoria Baths (I did wonder seeing your Instagram what you were doing there lol)! And Salford Lad’s Club – how perfect!! Brilliant post which really shows off how great Manchester is 😉 xxx

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  8. this is a great idea – and wonderful photos – which really give a flavour of our great city (and Salford too) well done. I love Victoria Baths and the chairs look very a home – even though their style is newer than the baths. That cat photobombing at salford lads club really made me laugh – it looks like you had a great day. love bec xx

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  12. Ok firstly let’s talk about the chairs. They are stunning and are the comfy enough as a desk chair would you say ?

    Then the fact you created such an amazing post. Just wow. The images are beautiful. It’s brilliant and makes me want to visit Manchester.

    Just gorgeous.

    Like

  13. What a unique challenge! Love that you managed to get so much of what is brilliant about Manchester packed into your chair tour. As a red, I’m happy to see the SAF way sign too!
    #ShareFriday

    Like

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