February 2000
26/02/00 - Thought it a good idea to get some new footwear for the Hay Way 2000 Event.
For those of you who don't know, Hay Way Shoes hold an annual social event for trannies, partners and friends.
Jacky, one of the owners, was saying they don't bring their range of shoes along to exhibit, because with all the other travelling around doing exhibitions their own event is a chance just to socialise and take a break from all that.
So, of course, that meant a trip to Leicester the week before to find a pair of shoes to go with a new PVC outfit I intend getting from a place in Nottingham - see 29/02/00-Nottingham.
Hay Way make their shoes on the premises, including court shoes, ankle, mid-length and thigh boots. Pictures cover the walls with trannies and drag queens wearing their range. May be one day I'll be up there.
Anyway, there wasn't much time so Jacky helped sort out a pair of purple court shoes with double straps and 4 inch heels, but then I saw a pair of red patent PVC ankle boots, again with 4 inch heels. There was nothing for it but to get both - but then at their prices you can't complain. £35.00 for the court shoes and £45.00 for the ankle boots.
Jacky was very helpful and very chatty - a lovely lady.
Had to rush off, so paid for the shoes and a ticket to the Hay Way event to
be held the following weekend.
29/02/00 - Having sorted out shoes for the
Hay Way event Tuesday saw me on my way to The Federation, a manufacturer of
rubber, leather and PVC clothes.
Trying to find this place is a nightmare, due to the one-way system, even
though it's in the centre of Nottingham. A map, on their website, of how to
get there by car would be a great help! But perseverence paid off.
Like Hay Way, The Federation manufacture their range to a very high standard. Good quality materials, double stitching and fifteen years experience ensures an excellent finished garment.
In
fact, although they make their clothes mainly for the real lady they are happy
to do 'made to measure' for us less than perfectly shaped 'ladies'.
And the bonus, as I found, was that they were happy for me to go shopping
and return a few hours later when it was ready for me to try on! Brilliant!
Beats the hell out of buying, and then discovering the item doesn't fit. However,
because I'd ordered a black PVC basque, matching mini-skirt AND a catsuit
only the basque and mini-skirt were ready - so I collected the catsuit on
the Friday.
Everything fitted perfectly and both the Manager, Paul, and
the Owner, Diane, were really friendly. In fact they gave me the low down
on the Nottingham Club scene - unfortunately it's not too trannie friendly,
but it's good to know what to expect and where to avoid!
Diane explained they hadn't really thought about how they could market their
services to trannies so I pointed them in the direction of a few well known
trannie sites and hopefully they'll get some business.