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Development of Drawing from identity inspiration and ‘Venus’ Space Design 

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Development of Drawing from identity inspiration and ‘Venus’ Space Design 

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Experimenting with different mediums and materials

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Experimenting with different mediums and materials

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Mindmap for Arts Assembly - Cardboard City exhib 

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Mindmap for Arts Assembly - Cardboard City exhib 

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Proposal of Make Up Designs Inspired by Lady Gaga and my Identity as a Make Up and fashion designer influenced by the Italian background that I share with my fashion icon Lady Gaga

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Proposal of Make Up Designs Inspired by Lady Gaga and my Identity as a Make Up and fashion designer influenced by the Italian background that I share with my fashion icon Lady Gaga

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Fashion Responses to Make Up/Fashion Design 

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Response to artist research of Lady Gaga Fashion Design 

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Record Shops of Central Manchester, Number 5: The HMV Shop, Arndale Shopping Centre, Manchester.

Yes. I know it's part of a huge corporate chain, but most of us have made a purchase from either this store or its long lasting predecessor on Market Street.

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Photograph - HMV, Market Street, 14th March 2019 - Manchester Digital Music Archive

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Record Shops of Central Manchester, Number 5: The HMV Shop, Arndale Shopping Centre, Manchester. Yes. I know it's part of a huge corporate chain, but most of us have made a purchase from either this store or its long lasting predecessor on Market Street.

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Afflecks Palace. The home of all things quirky and off-piste; a beacon at the heart of Manchester's thriving alternative culture landscape.
Your first impression, heading into the maze of independent shops and unique retailers, can be that the whole place feels a little overwhelming; however, hunt around a little, and you can find some hidden gems that make wonderfully different Christmas gifts - or a nice little treat for yourself at the end of a long semester!

Here are my top picks for the most brilliantly quirky purchases available in Afflecks Palace:

Steampunk Corsets

Steam punk is a fraction of the alternative subculture that blends Victorian fashion and culture with futuristic elements, the combination of which produces a style that is utterly unique and guaranteed to turn some heads! The most-high-end of these garments come with a hefty price tag; however, if you're just dipping your toes into the wonderful world of steampunk, you can bag yourself a corset from Elysia for a shade under £30!

Fancy dress costumes

The end of the semester will undoubtedly bring with it the last flurry of festive events before most students head home for the holidays, so if you're on the lookout for a costume that is guaranteed to make a statement at that themed club night, Afflecks is the place to be! Pick up a fully-formed Elvis costume, or build your own dazzling creation using a combination of sparkly fedora, faux-fur coat and multi-coloured stripy tights! The choice is yours!

Spiky bracelets and belts

Far from being the reserve of the head-banging metalheads, chokers have come back into fashion with a vengeance! If you're looking to take it a step further though, Afflecks have a whole range of alternative jewellery to indulge your inner angsty teenager: from spiked bracelets and studded belts, to mood rings and belt-loop chains, Luna on the ground floor has you covered!

Band and movie posters

Looking for something to brighten up the walls of your uni halls? Posters are the natural choice, and you can find a huge selection, depicting everything from movies to bands, at Panic Posters. Boasting an array of badges and t-shirts too, they're the perfect stop-off point to get everything you need to make yourself a little poster cave in your room to snuggle up in after a day of lectures.

A faux-fur coat

Recycling and buying vintage fashion can be a great way to hold on to your last few pennies in the run up to the festive season, so why not give Afflecks' many vintage stores a browse? American Graffiti is particularly great if you're looking for a statement piece, such as original cowboy boots, a worn biker jacket, or indeed, a faux fur coat, which carry a price tag around the £50 mark, and are ideal for those biting winter mornings in Salford! For more advice on being a sustainable student, check out Helena's tips on eco-friendly fashion and being a sustainable student.

Skull Goblets

The dark nights may bring out a certain inclination for the ghostly in you, in which case, perhaps a skull-shaped goblet might take your fancy? Halloween may be behind us, but for those who are partial to being spooked all year-round, adding one of these to your glass collection is sure to add an air of the macabre to your pre-drinks!

Personalised glass engravings

Continuing the glassware theme, if you're looking to take your flat party receptacles a step further, head up to Not On Your Skin, who will engrave any image of your choice on to glass! These make a perfect gift, and can be sentimental or hilarious- or perhaps both! And getting an image preserved in glass rather than on your skin would be much preferable for many parents, mine included!

Old vinyl records

Streaming may be taking over our lives in regards to our music, but you just can't beat a wander around a good old-fashioned record store! The ingeniously named Vinyl Resting Place on the top floor of the Afflecks building is a treasure trove for CDs and vinyl of every genre, from classic Mancunian indie to spaced-out synth-wave! Check out this original Stereophonics vinyl- perfect either a gift for your indie-obsessed buddy, or as a sneaky end-of-semester congratulations present for yourself!

Anime Merchandise

Wondering what to get that introverted anime fan for Christmas? Big Toes, also on the top floor, has you covered! From pop vinyls to branded bags, or full-size movie posters to replica outfits, there's something to suit fans of every niche of the world of Japanese animation!

Cassette takeaway boxes

Yes, really! It may be 2019, but for the hipsters out there longing for the return of a bye-gone era, Mars Tapes does exactly what it says on the tin, selling a huge range of cassette tapes, both new and old- which you can take away in a takeaway box at 3 for £6! If there was anything that could sum up the brilliant eccentricity of Afflecks Palace, this is it!

Feeling inspired to set out and find your own weird and wonderful oddities at Afflecks? Head into the Northern Quarter and find the building on Tibb Street, just off Piccadilly Gardens.

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Top 10 Quirky Purchases from Afflecks Palace - Made in Salford

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Afflecks Palace. The home of all things quirky and off-piste; a beacon at the heart of Manchester's thriving alternative culture landscape. Your first impression, heading into the maze of independent shops and unique retailers, can be that the whole place feels a little overwhelming; however, hunt around a little, and you can find some hidden gems that make wonderfully different Christmas gifts - or a nice little treat for yourself at the end of a long semester!

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Afflecks (often affectionately known as Afflecks Palace) is a cornerstone of alternative culture, as well as Mancunian spirit. Spread across four floors in an ex-drapery business and department store at the heart of the Northern Quarter, here you will find over 100 small and independent businesses bringing weird and wonderful wares with them.

And there is not just one entrance - there are three. Enter the weird and wonderful world of Afflecks from Church Street, Oldham Street and also the corner of Tib Street.

It also seems to be a place of initiation. People of Manchester often tell tales of their first visit to Afflecks as a teenager, tempted by its charm and bold independence. Outside is encrusted with Manchester-themed mosaics (created by local artist Mark Kennedy) and it's even more impressive inside - stairwells seeping out iconic music and plastered in posters, shops selling everything from corsets to cakes.

The independent nature of the shops means that stock changes frequently and a number of different things seem to be going on here at any one time. It is also remarkably easy to get lost. And it's not just its labyrinthine quality. Here at HAUNT Manchester we bring you our top 10 best places to shop Goth:

You won't just smile when you step in here - you'll be grinning. After all, Grin is often the first place people come across as they stumble into Afflecks, and it is an emporium of the dark, devious and eccentric. Here you'll find top-hats, umbrellas, Goth-inspired dresses, hoodies, slogan T-shirts and seriously striking UV makeup. Right by the door on the Ground Floor, you have no excuse.

Bringing awesome accessories to Manchester and beyond, based for nearly 20 years in Afflecks, it's Extreme Largeness. This shop goes all-out to ensure that your look will stand-out and stand tall - with a number of Goth-inspired options including on-trend chokers, collars, jewellery and patches - on the ground floor. A range of badges made in-house are a brilliant addition to coats and bags. You can also pick out some unique piercing jewellery or if you want to go even more hardcore, there's a second store upstairs (second floor): what was their festival stall, made permanent.

Strawberri Peach

Also fondly known as 'the corset shop' - Strawberri Peach on the first floor is the place-to-go for quirky corsets and stand-out dresses as well as a range of Gothic shoes and boots; some of the tallest you will see in the city. Made-to-measure bespoke options are also available, so you can create your own unique dress or corset combination, popular for proms and weddings. This first-floor haven is a popular place with Whitby Goth weekend attendees, so you know you are in good hands.

Gothic meets gorgeous. This lovely little shop is an ideal place to buy goth-inspired gifts, which combine the darkness with something delightful. Think: celebratory goblets, cute cushions, clothing and accessories - with a number of Fair Trade items available. A broad range of artful greetings cards are also available, with beautiful designs which beat the High Street hands-down. On the first floor.

For genuine Goth culture clothing and accessories, Elysia is the shop for you. Expect a suitably dark and delightful soundtrack to playing as you shop, as here you can browse a range of rock and gothic clothing including trenchcoats, dresses and design trousers. Find this dark den next to The Little Niche on The First Floor.

Set on the first floor, this is your one-stop-shop for body piercing jewellery of all kinds. Glass cases full of delights for your eyes to feast on. From simple studs to elaborate chains, you will find a design to suit you - with real silver available. Or to delve into something even more mysterious, there are also crystal balls, tarot cards and unique gifts for you to ponder over.

Looking for one-off accessories that make a fun impression? Trippy Kitty on the first floor is the place for that - with an eclectic range of stock which varies from themed clothing and unusual accessories to cute charms. Some of the most popular items include their pop-culture style leggings, whilst there are a number of 'one off' pieces ideal for tying into a Gothic look. For something darker, their range of pendants and keyrings will be sure to impress.

Trading here for over 30 years, Zeffa is the longest-established shop in Afflecks boasting a range of genuine vintage accessories - many of which could be utilised for goth-glam effect. Leather jackets, long dresses, boots with a story to tell: there is plenty here. Flying jackets and leather trousers add to that eclectic feel. Up on the second floor, it is worth remembering that this place also has a number of antique items, which has included everything from pottery and pendants to guitars, over the years.

Rowfers makes you go wowsers! An emporium of alternative clothes, accessories, seriously colourful make-up and an array of incense (you can smell the shop before you see it); this is one of the longest-established traders in Afflecks. There are some great Gothic-styled coats you can get your hands on here, as well as Goth-inspired accessories such as studded belts, voodoo dolls and one of the biggest collections of body piercings in the building. Even better, they are proud stockists of Directions hair colour and Stargazer makeup, both of which are not tested on animals. Find them on the second floor.

American Graffitti

Imagine walking into a dressing box the size of a shop. That is the feel of American Graffitti - the place to go for vintage, retro, kitsch and random clothing. So no, it's not street art...but you are sure to leave looking more than a little artful. Ideal gothic options include their bewitching accessories, faux fur coats and a notable array of spooky spectacles. We've even found studded goggles in there - promise. Also on the second floor.

Beautiful tattoo-inspired artwork on the top floor (third floor), with many pieces having a distinct gothic feel. Here you will find not just limited-edition art, but also homeware and accessories. The beating heart of Stag & Raven are Hannah and Kate, who support the creative tattoo community and source the artwork; many intense, interesting pieces you are sure to love. Featured artists have included Rheannon Ormond and Tom Hall.

Also on the third floor, this is a deliciously dark shop selling gothic-inspired crafts and accessories including collars, harnesses and necklaces. They also stock homeware pieces which tend to be snapped up fast due to their unique nature - and have included coffin shelves and bleeding candles. The shop mannequin 'Cruella' will also typically be modelling some designs for you to enjoy, and the window is even complete with hand-made cobweb curtains.

By Emily Oldfield
Photography - with thanks to Zarina Akhtar

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Afflecks (often affectionately known as Afflecks Palace) is a cornerstone of alternative culture, as well as Mancunian spirit. Spread across four floors in an ex-drapery business and department store at the heart of the Northern Quarter, here you will find over 100 small and independent businesses bringing weird and wonderful wares with them.

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Secret of Afflecks Tour - Creative Tourist

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Join Johnathan Schofield as he delves into Affleck’s curious past and quirky present, in the secrets of Afflecks tour. See a new side to this retail ledgend