This October, Manchester will welcome its first Alternative Fashion Week (AFW), a six-day celebration of fashion that defies convention and highlights the city’s rich subcultural heritage.
Running from 20 to 25 October 2026, AFW will transform iconic city locations such as Affleck’s Palace, HOME, and Islington Mill into hubs for runway shows, markets, performances, and art exhibitions. The event aims to make alternative fashion visible and accessible, showcasing styles from gothic glamour and punk to rockabilly and experimental design.
Designers from across the north of England will feature in the week’s programme, including Manchester’s own Pretty Disturbia, Sheffield’s Romy Betty, and Liverpool’s Callie Holden. Rather than a single runway show, AFW will host multiple events citywide, including major runway shows at SITU (The Alan Hotel basement) on 23 and 25 October, and Gullivers on 24 October, accompanied by live music and DJs.
Additional highlights include the Black Veil Ball at HOME on 24 October, an evening of alternative fashion, performance, and an independent makers’ market. On 20 October, Islington Mill will host an alternative clothes swap promoting circular fashion and creative collaboration. Affleck’s Palace will feature live mannequins and a student fashion showcase during the week.
AFW will also extend into the city streets with the Dead Dolls Trail, an interactive display of specially created dolls appearing in independent shops, cafés, and bars across Manchester’s city centre.
Leesa Betram O’Neill, founder of AFW and Manchester fashion veteran, said the event is a community-led platform designed to spotlight creatives traditionally outside the mainstream fashion industry. She emphasised that AFW is about inclusivity and self-expression, reflecting Manchester’s long history of subcultures shaping the city’s cultural identity.
Tickets for AFW events will be available at various price points, making the week accessible to a broad audience eager to experience Manchester’s alternative fashion scene.
