Storm in a Teacup at the Catwalk Cafe!

Do you remember "Storm is a Teacup" and "Seasons in the Sun", or even "You've got that Rainy Day Feeling Again"? If you do, then you will simply LOVE our next live performance at the Catwalk Cafe! We are looking forward to singing along with Shel Macrae of The Fortunes and hearing his amazing story of life in one of the UK's most successful bands of the 1960's and 1970's. Spaces are limited so book your tickets now!

Fashion Show in Birmingham

What a warm welcome we have received here in fabulous Knowle! Knowle is an unusual village in that it has many independent shops and boutiques.....Mary Portas would love it! We always encourage our customers to visit Belle Diva and Freak Le Chic...they are really not to be missed!

We are honoured to have been invited by Belle Diva to take part in their Fashion show on Monday 14th May at Nuvo Cocktail Bar and Piano Lounge in Birmingham. Book your tickets at Belle Diva and we'll look forward to seeing you there!

Win tickets to meet Andy Abraham!

Throughout March, customers of the Catwalk Cafe will be able to enter their names into a free draw to win two VIP front row tickets to see Andy Abraham and the Big Band Tour at the Alexandra Theatre Birmingham on 13th April 2012. The lucky winners will also get the chance to meet Andy backstage after the show.

The winning ticket will be drawn on 2nd April and anounced on the website.

Andy Abraham at the Catwalk Cafe!

Andy Abraham returns to the Catwalk Cafe!

Soul-star Andy Abraham chooses Gillian Wesley and the Catwalk Café in Knowle for a signing to launch his hotly-tipped new album and book Remember When…
Just three months after he performed an intimate gig at the opening of Midlands-based fashion designer Gillian Wesley’s fabulous Knowle style-destination, the hugely talented soulful superstar of British soul has picked the Midlands’ fashion hub as the first stop on a promotional tour for his hotly-anticipated new book and album Remember When….
When he performed in Gillian Wesley’s magnificent Belle Époque interior on the evening of 8th December 2011, Andy was so smitten with the designer’s stylish shop and café, that not only did he kick-start his Christmas shopping there, he also vowed to return to the shop when he launches his new book and album on the 15th March.
“It seemed like the ideal place to launch my new album. Gillian’s fashion oozes time-honoured class and style but brings them right up to the minute with funky fabrics and design-twists. That’s exactly what I wanted to achieve with these songs: they’re cover versions, but with a contemporary urban edge and lots of British heart and soul.
-Andy Abraham
Fashion-designer Gillian Wesley is thrilled at the prospect of the soul star’s return visit:
“I remember first seeing Andy on The X Factor. Since then, I have seen Andy perform live on a number of occasions, most recently in the very intimate setting of my new Boutique and Catwalk Cafe in Knowle. His performance that evening was simply breathtaking. Everyone here at Gillian Wesley Design and The Catwalk Cafe feel very privileged that Andy has chosen our venue to launch his new album. I think March 15th will be a very busy day, and a very special one!”
Pop music has always been about stories. Songs have a powerful ability to trigger memories and transport us back to times in our past. With Andy’s amazing experiences on X-Factor, Eurovision and his three sell-out U.K. tours, his music has more stories to tell than most! That’s what makes the combination of book and album so special. Taking an innovative approach at a time when the C.D. industry is at threat from digital downloads. Andy Abraham’s record company is pioneering a unique format that puts the magic back into buying records.
Andy Abraham Remember When… is a unique and innovative deluxe 96-page padded hardback book featuring the brand-new 12 track album from the X-Factor and Eurovision-star. The lavishly illustrated book tells Andy’s fascinating life story through the musical influences that shaped his legendary voice and the record tells the stories of his life through the songs that have been etched in his memories forever.
“This is music that has made me conscious of the world and touched me in a way that makes me want to own each and every one of the songs that I sing. The first ten songs on this album, the cover versions, are songs of my soul.”
—Andy Abraham
Falling just days before Mother’s Day, the event is set to bring even more shoppers than normal to the bustling village of Knowle, the Midlands’ leading destination for independent boutique shopping.
From 2pm on 15th March, Andy Abraham will be signing copies of his new book and album Remember When… at Gillian Wesley and the Catwalk Café in Knowle.

New Shop in Knowle!

Its been little more than six months since I first fell in love with the old builder's merchants shop opposite the picturesque Parish Church of Knowle. I was looking for new premises for my fashion business and the old shell of a building sparked my imagination the second I saw it!Of course, it looked very different then, but with just a little persuasion I managed to convince the builders of my dream to transform it into a fashion themed cafe and boutique, complete with an in-house design studio.

Having never been shy of doing things differently (there is no point in being the same as everyone else is there?!) I set about creating an unforgettable interior. The parisian style cafe boasts a sweeping red catwalk carpet down the middle. Black and white vintage style tiles and exposed reclaimed brickwork complete the striking look.

Customers can relax over delicious coffee and croissants, or even treat themselves to a traditional afternoon tea, complete with silver teapot and vintage china, whilst admiring the latest designs to emerge from the studio above.

The boutique stocks a range of unique corsets (outerwear not underwear), along with quirky handbags, jewellery, mineral make-up and stunning Italian lace boots.

I have even managed to recruit a fabulous team of local ladies, who dress in traditional black and white uniforms and provide good old fashioned hospitality to all of our customers.

The cafe transforms into a striking venue for our evening events where the red catwalk is frequently put to good use! Fashion shows are not the only events held at the Catwalk Cafe. In my bid to offer something different, we have everything from "Creating your own signature perfume" to "An evening with Andy Abraham"

I love the sense of history and the mix of old and new in Knowle. Imagine my delight one day whilst chatting to one of our regular customers, I discovered that many years ago the very building that I had fallen in love with six months ago was once a habadashery! Perhaps some things are just meant to be......

Behind the Scenes at a Photo Shoot

Although its not the norm in the fashion industry I love to feature "real women" in my photo shoots and on the web site. Not only are the models featured "real women" of all shapes, sizes and ages, they are often real clients too! After all, there could be no better advert!

So I thought you'd like to see some behind the scenes footage of such a shoot. I am currently running a series of adverts featuring the final shots from this shoot....."Think you couldn't wear a corset? Think again!" Look out for them in the local press!

My thanks must go to......

Andy from www.avonstudios.co.uk (for the professional shots) Andy is a talented photographer and thoroughly recommended for anything from portraits to weddings. A thoroughly nice guy too!

Julie from www.creativehairbyjulie.co.uk Julie has worked on ALL of my photo shoots. As a talented stylist she is able to create hairstyles for all of our models which compliment both the girls themselves and the overall look we are trying to achieve. Nothing fazes her! If you are getting married or have an important date on the horizon....Julie will create an amazing look for you. You will not be disappointed!

Rowena Wilson of www.rowenawilson.com worked her magic with the make up. Unlike many make up artists Rowena is not affiliated to any cosmetic company and only uses those products which she has confidence in. She works not only on photo shoots and catwalk events, but also for private individuals for weddings or special occasions. Impressively, Rowena is qualified with both The British Association of Skin Camouflage and the Red Cross.

Lastly, huge thanks must go to my models Hayleigh, Rachael and Sammy.

If you know of a real woman who would like to model in a future photo shoot, check out the website for forthcoming modelling opportunities.

www.gillianwesley.co.uk

(Thanks to www.danosongs.com for the music)

Home to High Street

(Photograph by www.avonstudios.co.uk)

Winning a shop in "The Business" competition last year promised to change my life. Ten months on it would be fair to say that I have not been disappointed!

Transforming a home based business into a retail enterprise with a high street presence has been a simply fascinating experience.

I have learnt so much both personally and professionally and I know one thing for sure...life will never be the same again!

In the immediate aftermath of my win I was disappointed to read both online and in the local paper a touch of animosity and plenty of cries of "Not fair"! My friends shook their heads in disbelief at a letter in the local paper suggesting that the prize should have gone to someone else on the basis that I had already "achieved my dreams". Nothing was further from the truth.

That disappointment was short lived when I discovered a really warm welcome waiting for me from the other traders in neighbouring shops. City Arcade consists of a collection of independent shops...all unique in their own way either in terms of the products they sell or the exceptional service they offer. There really is an old fashioned sense of community between the traders...and it really is a pleasure to be part of it.

So, if you are planning to visit I suggest you schedule in time to visit the following shops and introduce yourself:-

Tomlinson Flowers

www.flowers-coventry.co.uk

Award winning high end floristry....beautiful flowers and smiling staff

Silver Glade

www.silvergladejewellery.co.uk

Specialists in silver jewellery......in house designers too

Rufa Fish Spa

www.rufafishspa.co.uk

Unique in Coventry....a pedicure with a difference! Not had a chance to try this out for myself yet...but trust me you will be the first to hear when I do!

Drop in The Ocean

A brilliant health food store backed up by an absolute wealth of knowledge.

Oh, and before you go home treat yourself....

Kittys Sweets

A divine sweet shop adored by young and old (and a great place for presents)

The growth of my business has also enabled me to create a small dedicated team. Vari, Chanelle and I never tire of the positive comments customers make about the shop. It seems people really are tired of the duplication of our high streets and applaud those who are trying to offer something different.There will be interesting times ahead I am sure...but in the meantime I'd like to thank you all for your ongoing support.

Gillian