An uncanny "dead doll trail" is taking shape across Manchester ahead of Halloween and the city's first celebration of alternative fashion and lifestyle.
Since the beginning of October, 25 curious dolls have appeared in independent shops, cafes and bars across the city centre. With cracked heads, missing eyes or make-up reminiscent of the rock band KISS, each of the haunting figurines is unique.
The pint-sized mutant tribe is the handiwork of fashion designer Leesa Bertram O'Neill, who says the dolls' individuality will blaze a trail for the inaugural Alternative Fashion Week Manchester, which runs from 20th to 25th October 2026.
The Trail
One new "little misfit" is being added to the trail each day from 1st October 2026, with Fab Cafe, Vinyl Exchange, Gullivers and Afflecks Palace amongst host locations.
Alternative Fashion Week founder Bertram O'Neill is keen to stress that "no children were taken away from children in the creation of this trail!"
She said:
The dolls all come from charity shops from the UK or Budapest, where half my family is from.
The ones I choose are usually damaged, badly neglected or covered in felt pen or stickers. I would never customise a doll that a child might want to take home. Along with my partner Ryan, we give these dolls a lot of love and create them a second life.
The Designer
Bertram O'Neill is a veteran of Manchester’s fashion scene, launching fashion house Pretty Disturbia in 2008. Originally based in Afflecks Palace, she now sells her designs online as well as trading from ReMarket in Piccadilly and opening concessions at the alternative Red Brick Markets in Liverpool and Birmingham.
She decided to launch Alternative Fashion Week to give a platform to north west designers who work outside of the mainstream, saying "subculture deserves a runway."
She said:
Traditional fashion weeks can feel distant, exclusive and inaccessible.
Alternative Fashion Week Manchester has been created from the opposite perspective: bringing the audience, designers and creative community together.
She added:
I thought the dead doll trail was an eye-catching way to launch the event. Most of the dolls are part of my personal collection.
Each one is different and has its own name, number and style. I've tried not to buy anything new to make them and all their clothes are made with off cuts and scraps of Pretty Disturbia fabric.
This will be the first time so many of them will be on display to the public at the same time and I hope people enjoy seeing them.
The Week Itself
Alternative Fashion Week Manchester will host runway shows, night markets, clothes swaps and more at venues including Afflecks Palace, Islington Mill and HOME.
A dead doll trail map can be collected from event HQ on the second floor of Afflecks Palace. Anyone posting a picture of one of the dolls on Instagram and tagging Alternative Fashion Week Manchester will be entered into a draw for two free tickets for the event of their choice.
Alternative Fashion Week Manchester takes place 20th to 25th October 2026 across multiple venues. Tickets cost from £5.
