One of Manchester’s most-visited museums is celebrating sustainable fashion with an ‘after-hours’ event especially for adults.
Fashion, sustainability, heritage, and self-expression is all set to come together for a unique event down the Science and Industry Museum in the heart of Manchester next week, and it’s an adults-only occasion too, so if you’re looking for an excuse to leave the little Mancs at home, then this might be just what you’re looking for.
Taking place on Thursday 21 March from 6:30pm right through to 9:30pm, the beloved city centre museum is encouraging visitors to “journey through the past, present, and future of fashion” during an exclusive evening of entertainment.
Named After hours: Forward-Thinking Fashion, the event will showcase sustainable self-expression, offer nifty thrifting tips, and even unpick Manchester’s unique fashion history, all before shining a spotlight on the highlight of the night – a colourful cabaret catwalk.
Strike a pose 📸
We've collaborated with @solaflair_ for After Hours: Forward-Thinking Fashion. Get ready for an energising evening of live performance, pop-up markets and dynamic demonstrations
— Science and Industry Museum (@sim_manchester) March 12, 2024
The museum has joined forces with Manchester-based women-led theatre company, So La Flair, for the event, and will be hosting a so-called haberdashery of live performances and demonstrations, pop-up clothes stalls, and after-hours exploration.
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It’s all with the aim of encouraging a greener future for the world of fashion.
The showstopper of the evening will be The Fabric of Us – a sustainable fashion show by So La Flair, curated and styled by fashion-forward thrift brand, Beg Steal & Borrow, that celebrates Manchester’s unique style and features performances from Night People.
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Science and Industry Museum is celebrating sustainable fashion with an ‘after-hours’ event for adults / Credit: Science Museum Group
The hour-long show catwalk happening from 8pm-9pm will weave together catwalk performances, storytelling, archival footage, and dance to showcase planet-friendly self-expression and “a future where looking good doesn’t cost the planet, people, or pockets”, all before culminating in a high-energy cabaret catwalk performance that “celebrates the expression of individuality” through what we wear and how we wear it.
Visitors are told to expect fierce walks, dynamic dance numbers, and an array of exciting pieces from designers that specialise in upcycling, thrifting, and accessible apparel.
Beg Steal & Borrow will also be hosting a pop-up fashion market on the night too, and will be offering a range of planet-friendly garments and slow-fashion favourites.
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Tickets to the forward-thinking fashion event are on sale for £10 each now / Credit: Science Museum Group
As well as all the exclusive events, the museum’s Textiles Gallery will also be open on the night.
This means visitors will have the chance to “follow the thread of Manchester’s textiles history” and experience the sights and sounds of its former industrial mills for themselves during a thunderous demonstration of the historic machinery in action.
After hours: Forward-Thinking Fashion will take place on Thursday 21 March from 6:30pm – 9:30pm at the Science and Industry Museum – with tickets on sale now and setting you back just £10 each, or £8 for concessions.
Sensory-friendly Northern Lights to illuminate Printworks’ digital ceiling to mark Neurodiversity Celebration Week
Emily Sergeant
This week marks the start of Neurodiversity Celebration Week.
Approximately 15-20% of the population has a neurological difference, according to the most recent statistics, and Neurodiversity Celebration Week (16-20 March 2026) highlighting the importance of championing, raising awareness of, and accommodating neurodiverse people.
And Printworks is marking the occasion in its own special way, with a series of new initiatives designed to create a more ‘inclusive’ and ‘sensory-friendly’ environment.
You may already know that the popular indoor entertainment complex in the heart of Manchester city centre is home to more than a dozen bars, restaurants, and leisure activities – including one of the largest IMAX screens on the continent – and Europe’s largest digital ceiling too, of course, but this week’s experience is unlike anything the venue has welcomed before.
Throughout the week, Printworks will be transforming its digital ceiling with calming Northern Lights and constellations which have been specifically designed to create a relaxed, sensory-friendly atmosphere for visitors with additional sensory needs.
Northern Lights to illuminate Printworks’ digital ceiling to mark Neurodiversity Celebration Week / Credit: Supplied
As part of a long-term commitment to accessibility and inclusivity, Printworks is also introducing a weekly sensory-friendly hour every Sunday too, where lighting throughout the venue will be dimmed, and music and SFX volumes reduced for a reduced-stimulus environment.
200 free sensory packs – which can be collected at Vue cinema – with a pair of ear defenders and sensory-friendly toys, designed to support visitors who may benefit from sensory tools while enjoying the venue, are also on offer throughout the course of the week.
On top of this, there’s also a range of autism-friendly cinema screenings taking place on the last Sunday of every month at 10:30am.
An additional autism-friendly screening will be taking place with a showing of Hoppers this Sunday 22 March at 10:30am, with tickets now available from Vue’s website.
“Neurodiversity Celebration Week is an important time for brands and venues to recognise and support the diverse ways visitors and audiences experience the world,” commented Dan Davis, who is the General Manager at Printworks.
“We endeavour to ensure that all visitors feel comfortable and welcome when spending time at Printworks.”
Find out more about Neurodiversity Celebration Week on Printworks’ website here.
Featured Image – Supplied
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Lovely last-minute Mother’s Day ideas from Selfridges in Manchester
The Manc
Mother’s Day is this Sunday – and if those words have just sent you into a blind panic, just take a breath and head straight across to Selfridges.
The huge department store has come up with all sorts of things that make for perfect last-minute gifts and experiences.
That includes a carefully curated selection of gifts available in-store, plus a very special Morning With Mum beauty workshop so you can spend some quality time together on Mother’s Day.
Selfridges can be your one-stop shop for the big day.
In both Exchange Square and Trafford Centre stores, you can pick up lovely gifts like feast-filled hampers, fabulous accessories, luxury chocolates, candles, and even cards.
As always, there are gifts you can have personalised in-store for a sentimental present for the mother figure in your life.
If you’re really stuck, you can pop along to the Beauty Concierge and book her an experience.
And over in Selfridges Exchange Square, you can pick up a beautiful fresh bouquet from The Royal Exchange Florists.
Selfridges has loads of last-minute Mother’s Day ideas
There’s rarely a gift more precious than quality time together, which is why Selfridges will be hosting a special Mother’s Day floor-wide beauty event on Saturday 14 March.
Ticket-holders will receive expert beauty advice from your favourite brands, while enjoying complimentary drinks and sweet treats.
There’ll also be plus exclusive gifts with purchase available, and giveaways on the day, and you can redeem the £20 ticket price against products purchased on the day.
You can even grab an artist print for mum at the vending machine.
Tickets for the Morning With Mum beauty workshop are on sale HERE.
You could also share a moment over a glass of champagne at San Carlo in both locations, or grab a sweet treat from the bakery in the Trafford Centre store.
Emily Sergeant -
12th March 2024 
