All About Manchester - Manchester International Festival

Le mill, c'est chic

A downtrodden former cotton spinning mill in Salford is at the heart of a cultural renaissance. Photographer Rick Turner captures Islington Mill's ragged charm.

Art direction: Hidden Creative www.hiddenltd.com

Photography: Rick Turner www.rickturnerphotographer.co.uk

Model: Katie Ewbank @ Boss

Stylist: Lucy Hallard @ Boss

Hair & makeup: Louise Box www.dripbook.com/loubox

Words: Andrew Watson

Special thanks to Bill Campbell, Islington Mill (www.islingtonmill.com)

Clothing: Topshop, Manchester Arndale, 0161 615 8660; Rags to Bitches, 60 Tib St, 0161 835 9265; Royal Exchange Costume Hire, 47-51 Swan St, 0161 615 6800; Marks & Spencer, 7 Market St, 0871 432 3366; Abakhans, 111-115 Oldham St, 0161 893 3229; Zara, The Shambles, New Cathedral St, 0161 831 0940.

Post-industrial Manchester was full of deserted mills and warehouses, quietly crumbling away until they caught the attention of ambitious property developers, who transformed them into trendy loft apartments for young urbanites. But Islington Mill, in Salford, was meant for a different fate.

Bought by local fashion design graduate Bill Campbell in 2001, the mill now houses more than 50 artist studios, an art gallery, a recording studio, a club space and an art academy - a veritable cultural haven just a stone's throw away from Manchester city centre.

Among the mill's many residents, which include photographers, furniture designers, ceramicists, jewellers, printmakers and visual artists, are The Ting Tings. Despite their meteoric rise to international stardom last year, fabulous pop duo Katie White and Jules De Martino still insist on calling this place home. De Martino told All About Manchester at the end of last year: "It's important to us, where we come from. We love all the artists based around us in Islington Mill - the artists who are struggling. We feel very much at home there."

Before they hit the big time, The Ting Tings appeared at Salford's annual new music festival, Sounds from the Other City (www.soundsfromtheothercity.com), whose organisers are also housed in the mill. Returning this month for its fifth year, this quirky festival showcases up-and-coming bands in unusual venues, from iconic old pubs to churches and train stations. The festival takes place in various venues along Chapel Street, Salford, on May 3, so check it out for a chance to discover the next big thing in indie music.

Katie wears belt used as a headband, £12, from Rags to Bitches; ruff around arm available to hire from Royal Exchange Costume Hire; fur gillet, £85, blouse, £28, and boots, £90, all from Topshop; knickers, £10, from Marks & Spencer; socks, stylist's own.

Katie wears headpiece made by stylist from ribbon available at Abakhans; blouse available to hire from Royal Exchange Costume Hire; vest, £3, from Primark menswear; belt, £12, from Rags to Bitches; knickers, £10, from Marks & Spencer; boots, stylist's own.

Katie wears dress, £35, from Rags to Bitches; ruff and headpiece both available to hire from Royal Exchange Costume Hire.

Katie wears hair ribbon from a selection at Abakhans; shrug and ruffs around arms both available to hire from Royal Exchange Costume Hire; blouse, £25, from Zara; knickers, £10, from Marks & Spencer; boots, stylist's own.

Katie wears belt used as a headband, £12, from Rags to Bitches; ruff around arm available to hire from Royal Exchange Costume Hire; fur gillet, £85, blouse, £28, and boots, £90, all from Topshop; skirt made from fabric available at Abakhans; socks, stylist's own.

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Le mill, c'est chic

A downtrodden former cotton spinning mill in Salford is at the heart of a cultural renaissance. Photographer Rick Turner captures Islington Mill's ragged charm.