‘It’s a celebration of all the creativity in the north of England’: the return of Manchester fashion week

A decade since it last hosted the event, the city known for its textiles heritage is hoping to bolster its place in the industry and showcase talent outside London

Manchester is a city so associated with grey skies that the City third kit this season features raindrops. But this week the colour was dialled up to 10 as Manchester fashion week – the first in 10 years – kicked off.

Drew Kent, a designer who trained at Central Saint Martins and whose clothes have been worn by comedian Joe Lycett and the Scissor Sisters, was the first show on the schedule, showing in a large market and event space in the city’s Castlefield district. Focusing on Kent’s trademark crochet knitting, the collection was a riot of pinks and purples, featuring oversized hats, giant sequins and fluffy cardigans. “It’s an extension of my wardrobe,” said Kent ahead of the show. “It’s all about my childhood and me dressing up like Action Men in Barbie’s clothes.” With New York fashion week set to start on Thursday, such pronouncements could be seen as an appetiser for fashion editors.