House Of Haynes: Costume Hire And Labour Of Love

FOR  15 years, Jackie Haynes’ needlework has left Manchester in stitches.

Jackie, who hand-makes and hires out fancy dress party outfits, runs ‘House of Haynes’, a treasure trove of kitsch overlooking Oldham Street in the Northern Quarter. 

Some customers came in looking for Santa/Christmas themed costumes, then a tall, grey-haired man tried on a red sequin dress and a blonde wig. He took it. 

“We think we're the kind of shop you'd expect to find in the Northern Quarter,” said Jackie, who started out at the Manchester Craft and Design Centre before moving to the now-closed Coliseum, and ending up in her current location eight years ago. Her shop is packed wall to wall with racks of costumes, most of them brightly-coloured, sequined, and/or furry. 

According to Jackie, there’s a definite rise in the number of fancy dress office parties this season. 

“Last year people were battening down the hatches, I think,” said Jackie. “But this year people are thinking they can afford it.”

The idea that fancy dress is more expensive, says Jackie, is a common misconception. 

“If people are spending more than £30 on a new outfit, then hiring a costume from me is cheaper.” 

All of Jackie’s costumes cost £30 for a three working day rental.

Jackie makes 95% of the costumes she hires out, and only resorts to purchasing characters when they are trademarked, like for example Scooby-Doo. She does however carry wigs, moustaches, and certain popular packet costumes such as surgeons and convicts. 

Does she stock skimpy Leg-Avenue-esque costumes? 

She holds up a Bo-Peep costume with a short skirt. At just above the knees, it’s one of the shortest skirts she’s got.  Though customers sometimes call her looking for sexy costumes, less fabric means that people don’t find it good value for money, so she doesn’t make anything too skimpy. 

The hottest topical costume this year is Jimmy Savile, complete with wig and 'fixed it' medal.  “I’ve made loads of them,” said Jackie. “Even women are asking for the costume.” 

Other favourites include Marilyn Monroe and Lady Gaga. 

During Jackie’s interview with Confidential, several customers called in to choose costumes or to pick their up orders. Within minutes of mentioning office parties, a customer entered with just that dilemma.    

“Is there a theme?” asked Jackie.

“Nativity,” said her customer, adding that his boss had decided. “Or if we can’t find something Nativity, then anything we want, so I was leaning towards Pop Star.”

House Of Haynes

Jackie suggested the Jimmy Savile costume for this Nativity/Pop Star costume seeker, and because of the timely factor, he went for it.

Some customers came in looking for Santa/Christmas themed costumes, then a tall, grey-haired man tried on a red sequin dress and a blonde wig. He took it. 

Not that this shocks Jackie. Most people though are less direct than our sequin dress man. People usually come in shyly and are reticent to say what they want makes her smile.

“They’ll whisper it to me that they want something very strange, and then it will be something like a Pink Lady from Grease. Nothing surprises me anymore.”