Manchester Fashion Week: Why Manchester Needs More Fashion Illustration!
Updated: Sep 3
Blog by London Fashion Illustrator Elyse Blackshaw
Topics: Manchester Fashion Week, Manchester fashion illustrator
Manchester Fashion Week is back this September 2026! It originally began in 2011, followed by a few postponements and a then rebrand in 2014. It disappeared for a decade before returning in 2025 with a completely new identity centred on sustainability, innovation and community. This new identity is what is making me really excited and interested in Manchester Fashion Week. I've never illustrated live there, or attend events, so this will be my first year! To me, the branding feels sleek and contemporary, it's really offering a fresh perspective... or maybe my perspective of Manchester Fashion has shifted. British Fashion Council CEO Laura Weir launched new plans this year with Fashion Britain. It has been developed as part of the BF C's Strategy 2030, with the organisation aiming to create more opportunities for designers and creatives outside London and support regional creative industries.
Due to it's challenges in becoming established, one area still underrepresented is fashion illustration. As a Manchester‑born fashion illustrator, now working between London and Manchester, I’ve seen first‑hand how powerful drawing can be in capturing the energy and atmosphere of catwalk shows, and the stories of designers and their collections. However, I feel I had to relocate to London to see this... to be part of shows and a wider fashion community. Hopefully Laura Weir's initiative will change that for the future.
“Fashion Britain is about decentralising fashion, by creating stronger pathways for creativity, opportunity and growth in every part of the country. That is why we are collaborating with leading cultural institutions alongside over 100 of our designer members to build a stronger, more connected future for British fashion." - Laura Weir
I left Manchester in 2019 to study at Royal College of Art and to pursue my fashion illustration career. Since then, Manchester’s fashion scene is growing fast: from MMU’s Fashion Institute to curated slow-fashion concept store specialising in independent designers such as Norah Store. Yet the city still lacks regular opportunities for creatives to learn fashion illustration, a practice that transforms events, retail experiences and runway shows. Whilst there are Live Event artists in the North West, fashion illustration has it's own visual code and language.
I began hosting fashion illustration workshops in Manchester in 2024 to begin building a fashion illustration community that celebrates drawing, experimentation and fashion storytelling. Besides teaching at Manchester School of Art and Manchester Fashion Institute, I've only hosted 2 workshops so far, with my third set for September. Whilst I was illustrating when I was still in Manchester, I've learnt so much from being in the fashion illustration community in London, attending fashion life drawing, live shows and connecting with other fashion illustrators. I don't believe I would have got this in Manchester at the time, or perhaps even now. I want to change that. Whilst we can access and see things online, experiencing fashion drawing in person is totally different.
Take a look at inside my May 2026 Manchester Fashion Illustration Workshop...
Manchester Fashion Week is the perfect moment to spotlight this with hope to continue growing a community. If you’re searching for Manchester fashion illustration workshops, fashion drawing classes Manchester, or Manchester fashion events, you’ll find my latest upcoming workshop at Norah Store this September! We will have live models, looks from independent designers and complimentary cocktails from MOTH drinks! Plus all materials are provided.
Book your ticket here .
I hope to see you there!
Elyse x
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