The British Fashion Council announces nationwide talk series as part of its city wide celebration

The British Fashion Council has announced the return of City Wide Celebration, a curated programme of unique experiences and activations open to the public throughout September across London, Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle.

City Wide Celebration brings together designers, retailers, cultural institutions, and premium hospitality venues to celebrate the very best of the UK. Through a dynamic events programme, the initiative bridges culture and commerce, driving nationwide retail engagement and growth while deepening the fashion conversation through cross-sector collaboration and meaningful public engagement.

This year, City Wide Celebration launches ‘AT HOME WITH’presented by 1664 Blanc, a nationwide series of talks and panel discussions spotlighting the cultural and geographic roots of some of Britain’s most celebrated designers. Through the series, Principal Partner of London Fashion Week, 1664 Blanc continues their commitment to championing emerging designers and making London Fashion Week more accessible to a broader audience, both in the capital and nationwide.

Designers taking part in the series include BARBOUR, KAZNA ASKER, MATTY BOVAN, NADINE MERABI, PATRICK MCDOWELL, S.S. DALEY, TALIA BYRE and THE WINTER HOUSE. ‘At Home With’ celebrates the impact of British fashion beyond London, championing regional talent and engaging local communities.

The series hails a new strategic direction set out by Laura Weir, CEO of the British Fashion Council to decentralise British fashion from London and spotlight creative excellence across the UK. It complements the recent announcement of the BFC Fashion Assembly, a pilot initiative conceived by Sarah Mower, BFC Ambassador for Emerging Talent, which received strong industry support. The Fashion Assembly is a creative education programme that will be rolled out in schools nationwide from 2026. Together, City Wide Celebration and the Fashion Assembly represent a bold, joined-up approach to redefining the national narrative of British fashion, rooted in place, purpose, and potential.

The first AT HOME WITH event will take place in Liverpool on Saturday 6th September from (3pm - 5pm) at Gordon Ramsay Bread Street Kitchen & Bar, which can be found at Liverpool ONE. Andrew Ibi will moderate the session, and will be joined by designers S.S Daley, Patrick McDowell and Talia Byre.

Manchester's event will be held on Saturday 13th September (1pm - 3pm) at Orient Stage, Trafford Centre, featuring Nadine Merabi, The Winter House, Matty Bovan and Kazna Asker.

The following weekend, designers Aaron Esh and LABRUM London will lead the London event at 180 The Strand on Sunday 21st September, (12:30pm - 1:30pm), moderated by Hetty Mahlich, Editor of SHOWstudio.

The final 'AT HOME WITH' event will take place in Newcastle onTuesday 30th September (6:30pm - 8pm) at Fenwick Newcastle, Eldon Square - featuring Barbour, moderated by Paul Toner, Deputy Editor of 10 and 10 Men.

The full CWC schedule will be announced later this summer. Valued BFC Patrons will partner on the activations in each region including Trafford Centre, Eldon Square, Fenwick Newcastle and Liverpool One.