Manchester's Fashion Scene: From Cottonopolis to Start-up Hub

Manchester was known as Cottonopolis during its heyday of textile production during the 19th-century textile trade. Unfortunately, most mills closed by late 20th-century as production moved overseas.

Now, Manchester is innovating its fashion ecosystem through digital

innovation, sustainable manufacturing practices, and locally grown brands.

One such space is The Yard Atelier in Cheetham Hill, designed to support independent makers and encourage businesses to produce garments locally again. Spaces like this demonstrate how Manchester's heritage is shaping a new generation of fashion entrepreneurs.

Modern Manchester Fashion Brands

Manchester's modern fashion landscape is a hub of creativity. From streetwear and tech labels to slow fashion pioneers, Manchester is at the forefront of innovation.

Fostering brands that combine ethical values with local talent and digital-first thinking is evident by their success at producing collections for streetwear labels as well as slow fashion pioneers alike.

These companies are collectively revolutionising fashion production in the UK. Notable names that follow this trend include:

1. Adanola (Athleisure)

Since 2015, Adanola has developed into an athleisure label valued at $530 million. Adanola founder Hyrum Cook credits Manchester as being its strategic base.

2.Nadine Merabi (Eveningwear)

This Salford-based brand was established in 2015. Last year, they boasted annual revenues exceeding $40 million. TV personalities who wore its designs were instrumental in building local visibility of this label.

3.Represent (Luxury Streetwear)

Represent, founded by brothers George and Mike Heaton, has grown from a small Manchester project into a global luxury streetwear label generating over £50 million annually. Its huge international following keeps Manchester on the global style map.

4. PrettyLittleThing (Fast Fashion)

Founded in Manchester by the Kamani brothers, PrettyLittleThing rapidly scaled into one of the UK’s largest fast-fashion brands, with revenues exceeding £500 million and a major HQ in the city.

Emerging Roles In Manchester's Fashion Scene

As local brands grow, they hire across a broader range of roles than traditional fashion companies. Demand spans over these roles:

• Growth marketers

• Product designers using 3D tools

• Studio and content assistants

• Social media creators

• E-commerce managers

• Data analysts

• Programmers for fashion-tech platforms

These roles reflect the industry's shift toward digital skills and integrated design-tech workflows, with universities and colleges across Greater Manchester producing graduates capable of fulfilling hybrid roles.

Start-Up Businesses Are Facing Difficulty in Hiring Talent

Manchester-based fashion start-ups are facing a severe dearth of digital and sustainability skills, according to a 2025 survey conducted by Circular Fashion Innovation Network.

Brands often cite technical knowledge as one of their major barriers to growth.

Manchester-based fashion startups often face difficulty when hiring staff, especially in the areas of:

1. Budget Limits

Unfortunately, smaller retailers cannot match the salaries provided by larger teams.

2. Brand Visibility

New labels may experience difficulty recruiting experienced candidates.

3. Skill Gaps

Local expertise regarding digital production or sustainable design remains limited.

4. Rapid expansion needs

Rapid scaling may result in unexpected staffing gaps that arise unexpectedly.

Many companies respond to these constraints by employing recent graduates, contracting freelancers, or gradually building teams.

How Specialist Agencies Promote Growth

Specialist fashion recruitment firms play a pivotal role in supporting young brands' expansion. By tapping into university networks, creative communities, and fashion-tech circles for talent identification purposes, these recruitment firms can quickly locate individuals suitable for design, marketing, and technical roles within an organisation.

Agencies simplify screening, interviewing and negotiations for founders who must focus on building their business. Furthermore, agencies provide interim team members to provide immediate support following new funding or product releases.

Revamp of Local Hiring in Manchester

A growing number of brands are once again building teams within the city. Companies like Adanola and groups like The Yard Atelier show how local skills, from pattern cutting to digital marketing, are being used to support modern fashion businesses.

Meanwhile, education providers and industry events are helping rebuild a consistent talent pipeline, encouraging more people to pursue fashion careers within Manchester.

Need to Hire for a Manchester Fashion Start-up?

Founders launching or scaling labels in Manchester need to assemble the right team. Our specialist recruitment firm is familiar with the region’s fashion and tech landscape.

We’ll help you identify designers, marketers, and digital specialists who align with a brand’s needs. With our support, your hiring will be quicker, so your startup can focus on growth.

Give us a call on 02082451192 and a member of our team will be happy to help.