Fashion, sustainability, heritage and self-expression are coming together for a unique after-hours event at one of Manchester’s best-loved museums.
On Thursday 21 March from 18.30 – 21.30, the Science and Industry Museum is encouraging visitors to journey through the past, present and future of fashion during a unique evening of entertainment.
After hours: Forward-Thinking Fashion will showcase sustainable self-expression, offer nifty thrifting tips and unpick Manchester’s unique fashion history before showcasing its statement piece – a colourful cabaret catwalk.
In collaboration with Manchester-based, women-led theatre company, So La Flair, the museum is hosting a haberdashery of live performances and demonstrations, pop-up clothes stalls and after-hours exploration, all with the aim of encouraging a greener fashion future.
The evening’s showstopper will be The Fabric of Us, a sustainable fashion show by So La Flair and featuring performances from Night People, which celebrates Manchester’s unique style. From 20.00 – 21.00, it will weave together catwalk performances, storytelling, archival footage and dance to showcase planet-friendly self-expression and a future where looking good doesn’t cost the planet, people or pockets. The Fabric of Us will culminate in a high-energy cabaret catwalk performance celebrating the expression of individuality through what we wear and how we wear it. Expect fierce walks, dynamic dance numbers and an array of exciting pieces from designers specialising in upcycling, thrifting and accessible apparel.
The Fabric of Us will be curated and styled by fashion-forward thrift brand, Beg Steal & Borrow. They will also be hosting a pop-up market and offering a range of planet-friendly garments and slow fashion favourites to purchase on the night.
The Science and Industry Museum showcases ideas that change the world, from the Industrial Revolution to today and beyond. Its Textiles Gallery tells the story of how Manchester is a city shaped by cotton. From the late 18th century, the manufacturing of textiles in new, machine filled cotton mills transformed the town into a booming industrial centre, creating new patterns of life, generating great wealth for some, and shaping the city’s growth. Visitors to the event can follow the thread of this story, even experiencing the sights and sounds of the mills for themselves during a thunderous demonstration of historic machinery in action. They can also explore the gallery’s displays, which highlight how the innovation and profits that powered early industrial Manchester went hand in hand with exploitation on a local and a global scale.
Lucy Simpson, Events Producer at the Science and Industry, said: “This is going to be a brilliant event and a real treat for anyone interested in sustainable style and forward-thinking fashion. We’re delighted to have collaborated with So La Flair, Night People and Beg Steal & Borrow to curate a colourful, energetic evening full of sustainable fashion solutions.
“Manchester has a long and innovative history of textiles. It’s a core story we tell here at the museum, and how this growth into the world’s first industrial city can only be understood in context of the exploitation that fuelled it. This event will give a great opportunity to reflect on this while looking forward towards a greener fashion future.”
Lucy Laverty, Artistic Director at So La Flair, said: “It is a joy to create something that honours Manchester’s rich history and fashion identity. This show is going to be absolutely dripping in divine looks and adorned with fabulous performances as we celebrate Manchester’s slow fashion scene. So, rummage through your wardrobe and don your fiercest attire, you are invited to Manchester’s hottest runway show.”
Event details
After hours: Forward-Thinking Fashion will take place on Thursday 21 March from 18.30 – 21.30 at the Science and Industry Museum. Tickets are on sale now priced at £10 (£8 concessions). The event is open to over 18s only.
Tickets include access to:
Pop-Up Market – Open from 18.30–19.45
Textiles Gallery and Machinery Demos – From 18.30–20.00
Revolution Manchester gallery – Explore throughout the evening
Sustainable Fashion Show – 20.00–21.00
