Manchester Fashion Week returns from 9–12 September 2026 with its most ambitious programme yet, transforming Manchester into a showcase for fashion, creativity and innovation over four days of runway shows, exhibitions, talks and cultural experiences.
The North’s leading fashion platform will once again make its home in the creative district of St. John’s, spanning more venues than ever before, including Campfield, VERSA Studios and the ABC Buildings.
More than a fashion week, the event reflects Manchester’s growing reputation as one of Europe’s leading creative cities, where fashion, design, technology, manufacturing and culture combine to shape the industry’s future.
Acclaimed designer Malon Fashion returns with an exclusive runway presentation, while IGC Fashion brings the creativity and cultural richness of Uganda’s growing fashion industry to an international stage.
Alongside the expanded runway programme, Manchester Fashion Week will host conversations with some of the industry’s most influential voices, including designer and activist Katharine Hamnett CBE and Lynne Franks OBE, one of the founding figures behind London Fashion Week.
Supported by CUPRA and Accenture, the road to Manchester Fashion Week begins with a speakeasy at CUPRA City Garage on Thursday 16 July, with an open casting call for creators, models and designers.
The partnership reflects a wider ambition to connect the fashion industry with Manchester’s creative economy.
At the heart of this year’s programme is the launch of C.T.E.M. Fashion Collective, a new non-profit organisation designed to ensure Manchester Fashion Week creates lasting impact long after the final runway show.
Pronounced “STEM”, C.T.E.M. stands for Culture, Technology, Education and Manufacturing and represents the evolution of Manchester Fashion Week into a year-round movement supporting education, skills development and opportunity across Greater Manchester.
Where Manchester Fashion Week provides a global platform each September, C.T.E.M. works throughout the year with schools, universities, youth organisations and industry partners to inspire the next generation of designers, makers and creative thinkers.
Its arrival comes at a pivotal moment for the North, as investment, innovation and devolution continue to reshape the region.
That work is already under way. Earlier this year C.T.E.M. delivered workshops across nine Co-op Academy schools in Manchester and Salford, engaging more than 270 pupils whose reworked garments now form a large-scale installation, The Universal Tee of Life, exhibited at Castlefield Gallery from 9 September.
This summer, its Future Threads programme will work with young people from Salford Youth Zone and HideOut Youth Zone in Gorton, led by The Great British Sewing Bee winner Luke-Matthew Iveson, culminating in a runway show built entirely from reclaimed materials at Trafford Palazzo on Saturday 12 September.
Gemma Gratton, Executive Producer of Manchester Fashion Week and CEO & Executive Director of C.T.E.M. Fashion Collective, said:
“Manchester Fashion Week is the city’s platform to celebrate creativity, culture and the future of fashion. But for us, the runway is only part of the story. Through C.T.E.M. Fashion Collective, we’re creating opportunities throughout the year by connecting young people, education, industry and communities across Greater Manchester.
“By the time September arrives, hundreds of young people will have already experienced Manchester Fashion Week before the first model steps onto the runway. That’s how we ensure Fashion Week doesn’t just showcase our city, it grows with it.”
Marcus Gossen, Director of CUPRA UK, said: “Manchester Fashion Week has become an important platform for creativity, innovation and emerging talent. We’re proud to continue supporting an event that celebrates the people and ideas helping shape Manchester’s creative future, while creating opportunities for collaboration across fashion, design and culture.”
