Tootally Wired
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Manchester Histories explores the impact and meaning of the Tootal scarf, with new live commissions from seven writers and artists.
 
Tootal scarves, distinguishable by their silky texture, bright colours, tassels and repeat designs of paisley, dots or other patterns, have long been an iconic fashion item for working class men with a taste for music and culture. Dating from the 1940s the firm had an office in the Tootal building on Oxford Road  Manchester and also factories in Bolton and Rochdale and Ashton. The scarves became popular in the fifties and sixties with mods and other cool kids and remain popular today, with a big market in the vintage sector and a thriving business selling new scarves as well. The scarf has many a famous wearers such as Paul Weller and Liam Gallagher, John Cooper Clarke and Martin Freeman and its popularity, particularly the paisley patterned version, runs through punk, ska, mod revival, and psychedelia. As well as music the scarves have a strong place in visual arts, film, and theatre culture as well.

 

​Working with Manchester Histories, Tootally Wired delivered seven brand new live commissions based on the scarf and its social history, its impact on fashion over the last few decades and what its place in society is now, its significance to working class men through the ages who have always wanted to dress up and look smart yet look cool and distinctive too.

The seven artists were
 
Emily Oldfield writer/poet
Nicholas Royle - Writer
Sarah-Clare Conlon – Writer/Poet
Gary Fisher – sound artist
Wendy Allen writer/poet
Tom Jenks – Experimental writer/poet
David Gaffney – writer, artistic lead and project manager
 
The commissioned works were performed live at Manchester Central Library as part of the Manchester Histories Festival and in addition to the commissioned pieces there were writing workshops for the community who were encouraged to produce pieces of writing about their own favourite items of clothing, and five short films about the Tootal factory from the north west film archive were also screened.
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The artists got together and agreed on what their approach to the commission was going to be...  

And here's what happened on the night!

All photos Nic Chapman