Since 2009, Vogue – inarguably the largest high fashion brand in the world – has organised a Fashion Night Out every year. This is where shops, boutiques and bars all come together to showcase the best shopping experiences of one city, which, until this year, has always been London. 

However, much to my delight, Vogue has finally recognised that fashion is not just london-centric. Manchester has an inherent history of fashion, linked to it’s massive contributions to the industrial revolution and owing to it’s nickname “Cottonopolis”. 

“Re-emphasising the mission of Fashion’s Night Out, bringing retailers and shoppers together for a joyous celebration of fashion, we are taking Fashion’s Night Out to Manchester for 2013,” said Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman. “Once at the heart of a vibrant textiles industry, Manchester’s importance to fashion is unquestionable. Bringing Fashion’s Night Out to its streets is the next logical step in the evolution of Fashion’s Night Out in the UK. London has witnessed tens of thousands of shoppers joining the fun and we’re looking forward to sharing this experience with a new audience.” For more info, read Vogue’s article here.

For a brief bit of fashion history, Manchester’s very own world renown Museum of Science and Industry state “the Lancashire cotton industry peaked in 1913.  Yet Manchester remained the hub of the world cotton goods market until the Royal Exchange closed in 1968.  Some firms adapted by turning to synthetic fibres, such as polyester and fibreglass. Today, Manchester is still a city shaped by cotton.  Converted mills and warehouses have found new life as offices, hotels and flats, alongside new high-rise buildings” (read more here)… And now, shopping!

 I’m so excited to attend the event and experience some further Mancunian pride, which hopefully shoppers, fashionistas and bloggers from all of the country will come and experience, too! The annual shopping extravaganza – first launched in 2009 – will take place on Thursday October 10, bringing together the finest of the city’s shops, restaurants, galleries and museums. The heart of the event will take place in Exchange Square, where Selfridges and Harvey Nichols have already confirmed they’ll be taking part – eek, lets hope there are discounts!

So kittens, who’s gonna join me at Fashion Night Out? Leave me a comment below and let me know! And don’t forget to follow me on Twitter, like my Facebook page and subscribe to my Youtube channel to keep up to date with all things fashion!