The British Fashion Council (BFC) has launched a curated program of public fashion events and activations titled City Wide Celebration (CWC), in Manchester. This move further strengthens Manchester’s growing reputation as a major fashion hub, following Chanel's high-profile Metiers D'Art show in the city last year.

Running from September 12-16, the CWC will bring the spirit of London Fashion Week to the North of England. The Trafford Centre will be the central venue, hosting a variety of fashion events and immersive experiences. The celebration will also extend to other major UK cities, including London, Liverpool, and Newcastle.

A key part of this year's CWC is the new ‘At Home With’ initiative, a series of talks focused on the cultural and geographic influences of prominent British designers. Manchester’s headline event, presented by 1664 Blanc, will feature a panel discussion at the Trafford Centre on September 13.

The panel will include a diverse group of celebrated designers with strong ties to Manchester including Kazna Asker, a British-Yemeni designer known for blending streetwear with traditional Islamic garments; Liam Winter, the self-taught jeweler behind The Winter House, who creates conceptual, art-inspired pieces influenced by his studies in Performance Design and Film; Nadine Merabi, a designer whose journey began out of a passion for creating bold, glamorous occasionwear that celebrates confidence, inspired by her Lebanese heritage and British upbringing and Matty Bovan, a Central Saint Martins graduate and award-winning fashion knitwear designer who has collaborated with major brands like Marc Jacobs and Miu Miu.

These designers will share an intimate conversation about how Manchester’s unique culture has shaped their creative voices, showcasing the city’s rich influence on the fashion world.