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Go for gold with Cheshire's material girls
by Elizabeth Kerfoot3/11/2006
IT'S a dilemma we've all faced... how can I look a million
dollars when I don't have six figures to spend? Costume Designer
Theresa Rhymer tackled the dilemma when dressing the cast of
Channel 4's controversial and satirical drama, Goldplated.
Now in its third week, the series follows a raucous Cheshire Set
gaggle to whom wealth is everything.
However, appearances are not always as they seem.
How did Theresa dress the Goldplated stars on a more silver-plated
budget? "Lots of research," she explains.
Theresa immersed herself in all things Cheshire - from champagne
lunches with Cheshire wives to observing shoppers' body language at
local boutiques.
"Cheshire women have great style," Theresa said. "Some wear
head-to-toe designer labels but the most stylish wear just a few
indicators of wealth - the statement bag, jeans and jewellery - set
off by well-chosen high street pieces. That's how they stay bang
on-trend."
Theresa sourced everything locally, her favourite places being
Harvey Nichols (Cathedral Walks) for statement pieces, including
Missoni print dresses, Pucci accessories and handbags by Balenciaga
and Deal & Wire.
Zara (Cathedral Walks) and Top Shop (Arndale Centre) provided the
extras. Theresa trawled Greater Manchester's TK Maxx stores for
designer one-offs.
And her tip for a Cheshire Set style blend of high street and
high-end? "Alterations," she said: "We altered high street items,
adding couture touches by exaggerating the shapes. A Zara jacket
looked almost McQueen when we'd finished. A good tailor is worth
their weight in gold."
Try Stitches (St Mary's Street, next to Kendal's) for
while-you-wait alterations.
Who better to put Theresa's tips to the test than Sale-based
actress Georgina Mellor, who plays Goldplated's couture-clad gossip
queen Anna Blonde.
An archetypal lady-who-lunches, Anna wouldn't know one end of the
high street from the other.
Her wardrobe is flashy, all oversize sunglasses and dazzling
jewellery. But Georgina told us: "The jewels look like Chopard but
Theresa found them at Marks & Spencer."
Theresa said: "We dressed Georgina in a mix of high street and
high-end looks worthy of her on-screen alter-ego."
"I love it all," said 28-year-old Georgina. "Mixing it up is the
fun part."
So the key to the modern Cheshire Set style is to choose designer
statement pieces wisely then have fun on the high street.
Anna Blonde doesn't know what she's missing
With thanks to Harvey Nichols, Manchester
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