Featured image: Molly Goble and Anna Comerford

aAh! Magazine fashion editor Imogen Burgess meets the Manchester fashion creatives rewriting the rules of the industry.

Fashion has long been defined by its connection to exclusivity and elitism – an industry where “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know” rings true. This phrase, also a favorite of my dad’s, encapsulates the idea that industry success isn’t determined by skill or merit, but rather by familial ties and well-placed networks. Growing up, I always thought this was unfair – surely people should be assessed on their knowledge, not their parent’s contact lists? However, after joining the community at the Manchester Fashion Institute (MFI) without any previous industry connections in my family, I quickly learned the truth lies somewhere in the middle: it’s important  to put yourself in a position to network and build a creative community of your own which will inspire and challenge you.

This is where a new generation of Manchester’s fashion creatives is rewriting the rules of the industry. The new wave of creatives is building their own community from the ground up. They are harnessing their collective power to break through the barriers that once made the industry so exclusive, and to ensure that the future of fashion is more accessible, equitable and authentic.

One example is Manchester Met’s Fashion Society, which serves a microcosm of this movement, providing a space for talented people coming together, revolutionising the preferential processes creatives have been forced to negotiate when starting out in the industry, instead pushing for an equitable entrance into fashion.

“Community is a really integral part of fashion, and it’s probably one of my favourite things about it,” says Laura Johnson, chair of the MMU Fashion Society. Working alongside five other committee members from a range of disciplines but united by their passion for fashion, the collective has built a society of 129 members.

“We cultivate community by putting a lot of thought into our events and ensuring they are relevant to young people today – not even just fashion, but within creativity,” says Johnson. Through carefully curated socials, the society creates a space for members to meet, connect and learn from inspirational local figures who are pushing boundaries in their own careers. The goal is to leave members feeling inspired, and possibly with new contacts that might help propel their own careers. A £10 membership grants access to fashion events, guest speakers and club nights, all coordinated through a group chat on WhatsApp, but the friendships and connections made through the society are invaluable. 

“It makes me feel really good that people feel brave enough to come to our events alone, that they feel like it’s a space where they can find their community,” says Laura. “That really is amazing.”

By openly rejecting the gatekeeping culture that has surrounded fashion for decades, creatives are able to find a sense of belonging, not only at the university, but also within the wider creative networks of the city, becoming part of something bigger than themselves.

“We all come together and pitch our ideas,” says Laura, describing the collaborative nature of the society. “The team works together to delegate responsibilities fairly, playing to each other’s strengths. That in itself creates trust. I’d say we cultivate community through friendship, honestly.” The committee’s connection runs deeper than just being colleagues, and nurturing these emotional bonds strengthens their ability to work as a team and create the best possible events for their members.

The Fashion Society’s ability to build a creative community extends beyond its own circle, inspiring other initiatives. One example is Wear Abouts, an MFI student-led podcast that Johnson co-hosts alongside Miriam Myers, a fellow Fashion Promotion student and friend.

The podcast is orchestrated by Alec Dudson, a senior lecturer in Fashion Communication. Exploring a range of fashion topics, the show has quickly gained traction, reaching listeners across five continents. Though still in its early stages, Wear Abouts has already made waves, connecting a global network of fashion enthusiasts and opening up new conversations around the future of the industry.

“Creating a mini community to work on it was always going to be a really key element to Wear Abouts,” says Dudson. “It’s really nice to know that something made by our students is out there in the real world.” Laura adds: “We definitely relied on each other as a community to help each other out and to get feedback.”

The podcast has become a platform where emerging talent can interact with top industry professionals and gain invaluable insight into the inner workings of the fashion world. It is proof that even in its infancy, the power of community and collaboration can generate real change.

Both the Fashion Society and Wear Abouts have exciting events and outputs on the horizon. The podcast releases episodes every other Monday, including a recent conversation with Jalaj Hora, former vice president of product innovation and consumer creation at Nike. The Fashion Society is preparing for the  annual Manchester Met Gala, its biggest event of the year. The event, covered by Dazed last year, offers students the opportunity to showcase their work on a platform that once felt out of reach. “We’re even talking about having a runway!” reveals Johnson.

She is determined to give back to the community that has supported her and other creatives. “I feel like so many people at uni have amazing pieces of clothes and artwork but they often don’t have a platform to show it,” she says.

She believes the importance of community extends beyond the fashion world and into broader societal issues. “We can use things like the Fashion Society to support local grassroots venues, which right now are really struggling,” she says. Laura wants to help these small fashion communities to mobilise: “It’s about that loss of community that’s happening because of big corporations. The community is all the more important now, and we must come together and support independent places and collectives.

Follow @mmufashionsoc and @mcrfashioninstitute