Chanel is going to be bringing one of its most prestigious fashion shows to Manchester later this year – which is a sentence you don’t read every day.
Arguably the world’s most famous fashion house has chosen our city to host its Métiers D’Art 2023/2024 show.
Taking place on 7 December, the exact location for Chanel’s Manchester show hasn’t yet been announced – but you can bet people are making some wild guesses already.
Manchester’s famed for a lot of things, from warehouse parties to street food events to huge gigs and festivals. But haute couture? Not so much.
Chanel will actually be the first major luxury house to show in Manchester.
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Previous settings for the Chanel Métiers D’Art fashion show have included a pontoon moored in Shanghai’s Huangpu river to a lavish banquet setting in a Parisian palace.
So wherever they choose in Manchester will need to be large, and dramatic, and representative of our city (the brand chooses cities that are linked to the history of Chanel, and then themes the show around them, so we can probably expect a nod to our cotton trade history).
The Yayoi Kasama exhibition for MIF23Castlefield Viaduct. Credit: NT Images and Paul HarrisAviva Studios and (right) Castlefield Viaduct could be contenders for the Chanel Manchester show
There’s also new spaces like Mayfield Park (though, chilly in December), Castlefield Viaduct (ditto) and New Century Hall.
People have been surprised and also a little baffled by Chanel’s decision to head to Manchester, saying it’s ‘hilarious’ and asking if Anna Wintour will be partying in the local clubs afterwards.
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Local design studio Mikesian Studio shared a few suggestions, ranging from Sacha’s Lord’s penthouse to the site of the demolished Toys ‘R’ Us.
They wrote: “So it looks like @chanelofficial will be hosting their Metiers D’Art show in Manchester this year. How wonderful. And hilarious. Very in keeping with the mood of the city right now. Life imitates D’art. Wonder if they’ll put the homeless in hotels this time?
“They don’t confirm the mysterious location till nearer the time, but with previous catwalks taking place on pontoons and in palaces, it begs the question, where in our humble city could be worthy of such an honour.
“Here is a definitive shortlist of suitable venues. We’re taking bets NOW. (Only joking @factory_international don’t get yr knickers in a twist, we all know it’s u hun).”
Someone else wrote: “OMG. The Chanel Métiers d’art show will take place in Manchester this year. I have visions of a runway down the Corrie cobblestones, flanked by a FROW of WAGs and a LOT of cotton in the collection. Let’s see if I’m proven correct. I could NOT be more excited for this.”
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Another joked: “If it’s a Chanel takeover of the Manchester Warehouse Project, I’m down.”
One person said: “Chanel Métiers d’art show is going to be in Manchester this year- I hope this means I’m going to find Anna Wintour at 5th ave afterwards.”
And someone tweeted: “Manchester has some iconic music too, ngl this is gonna be sick. The north deserves much more attention.”
Manchester Storm announce partnership with USAsports including NHL pop-ups and more
Danny Jones
Manchester Storm have announced a landmark new deal with USAsports, a dedicated home for British fans of North American sporting disciplines and global merchandising suppliers, which will see various exciting events this upcoming season.
Confirming the collaboration ahead of the pending 2026/27 campaign, this crossover will involve everything from special pop-up events to player sponsorships and much more.
USAsports specialise in officially licensed NHL, NFL, NBA and MLB clothing, and while you may have seen the odd jersey here and there at various Greater Manchester locations, they are now gearing up to work with Manchester Storm to deliver better exposure.
Whether you’re just a die-hard member of the Storm Shelter or an ex-pat who still follows an NHL franchise overseas, kit collecting and the fascination surrounding limited edition team jumpers is a big part of ice hockey fandom and culture not just here in the UK but around the world.
Sharing their own announcement, they wrote: “Manchester Storm are thrilled to announce a new partnership with USAsports for the 2026/27 Motorpoint Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) season as the club embarks on an exciting new chapter at the AO Arena.
“As part of the partnership, USAsports will sponsor a Manchester Storm player throughout the season and deliver multiple NHL Pop-Up Shop events at Storm home games during the forthcoming campaign.”
On the subject of sponsorship, commercial entities are the only people who will be given the opportunity to back big players this term, as Storm are once again bringing back their ‘own-and-loan’ scheme.
Speaking on working closely with their new partners, the club’s General Manager, Ryan Finnerty, added: “We’re delighted to have USAsports on board for the 2026/27 season.
“Their passion for the fan experience really stood out to us, and their NHL Pop-Up Shops throughout the season will be a fantastic addition to game days at the AO Arena.
“We’re looking forward to working together throughout what promises to be a very exciting season.”
As casual fans here at The Manc, we’ll admit that watching the growing buzz around the resurgent ice hockey team, especially ahead of their Manchester city centre ‘homecoming’, has got us amped to dive deeper into the sport when it gets back underway next month. We’re not the only ones, either…
Drama Call opening first-ever flagship shop in Manchester
Danny Jones
Streetwear superstars Drama Call are opening their new flagship store and first-ever permanent site in Manchester city centre this weekend.
Expect massive queues and lots turning up wearing the increasingly recognisable starry logo.
Already a much-loved brand not just here in 0161 but across the nation at large, the native independent business turned street-style favourites and UK fashion phenomenon are no strangers to HUGE pop-ups in their hometown.
However, they’ve never had a mainstay location anywhere in the country, let alone Greater Manchester – well, until now, that is…
Credit: Press shots (supplied)
Debuting in the Northern Quarter this Sunday, the venue located on Tib Street will effectively serve as Drama Call‘s new HQ.
The local label has done everything from popping up vans with Manc rapper Aitch to collaborating with Man United for multiple limited edition collections, so it only felt like a matter of time before they’d make a big brick-and-mortar splash in our fair city.
Most notably, they’re also taking over the same unit as the Sheep Shop, a former skate shop and legendary urban clothing tastemaker of the 90s; they were one of the first places in Britain to stock famous names like Stüssy, Supreme, Carhartt, The North Face and many more.
With that in mind, it feels only fitting that they carry on the trendsetting tradition from the same premises, and just spitting distance from the likes of Note, as well.
And that’s not all, either: before the full launch, they’ll also be holding an exclusive cash-only shirt swap event, where a limited number of certain collector’s items will be sold for as little as £10.
Other things to note are the additions of signed vinyls by homegrown artists such as the aforementioned Aitch and even The Smiths.
In fact, the store will also feature strictly Mancunian exclusives, too.
Everything from polo shirts and tees to branded mugs, matchboxes and other accessories will be available in-store only.
NQ is bound to be buzzing across launch weekend, with doors officially opening to the public on Sunday, and we wouldn’t be surprised if you see people camping outside the front well ahead of time.
What a moment the Manc shopping scene is having right now.
Daisy Jackson -
30th July 2023 
