Preventing the Fashion Brain Drain to London: How Up North Runway is Powering the Future of Northern Fashion
For too long, fashion graduates from across the North of England have faced the same challenge: move to London or risk missing out on opportunities to build a career in the industry. The capital has long dominated the UK fashion scene, hoovering up talent, investment, and media attention.
But that's about to change...
Up North Runway — a bold new movement based in West Yorkshire — is determined to rewrite the script, preventing the “fashion brain drain” and keeping Northern talent right here, where it belongs.
Building a Fashion Market in the North
Up North Runway isn’t just about hosting glamorous catwalk shows. It’s about building an entire fashion ecosystem in the North of England: one where graduates can launch their own brands, find mentorship, and grow design houses without having to uproot to London.
The vision is simple: create opportunity, visibility, and community. By connecting designers, media, retailers, and the public, Up North Runway is laying the foundations for a thriving Northern fashion market.
Two Landmark Events in November
This November 2025, Halifax becomes the beating heart of UK fashion with two runway events designed to showcase talent at every level:
- The Black Tie Gala (8th November 2025, Berties, Elland, Halifax): Featuring some of the North’s most exciting established designers, including Isabelle Randall and Kay Heeley of Angel Couture. This event will cement Northern design on the national map, proving world-class creativity doesn’t stop at the M25.
- Emerging Designers Runway (5th November 2025, Halifax Minster, Halifax): A spectacular platform for the next generation. Fashion graduates and young designers will step into the spotlight, supported by Up North Runway’s PR and promotional muscle. This show ensures that fresh voices don’t just get heard — they get celebrated.
PR and Marketing Support: Turning Creativity into Headlines
One of the biggest hurdles for young designers isn’t talent — it’s exposure. Without media attention, even the most innovative collections can go unseen. That’s why Up North Runway goes beyond staging events: we provide ongoing PR and marketing support to our members.
- Media Connections: With access to a national database for Fashion outreach we connect designers with journalists, bloggers, and broadcasters to amplify their stories.
- Press Coverage: Designers benefit from professional press releases and targeted outreach, ensuring collections are covered by local and national media.
- Content Creation: High-quality runway photography, videography, and social media campaigns put Northern designers front and centre.
- Press Release cost: Up North Runway will release, for free, jointly written PR for young emerging talent to get them national coverage. If a publication picks up the story, UNR will charge an industry leading £50 per publication up to three publications charged and a cost of £150 no matter how many other outlets run the story.
- Trade Opportunities: In January 2026, Up North Runway will host a dedicated trade show — giving designers the chance to meet buyers, retailers, and collaborators who can turn their creative vision into commercial success.
More Than Just Catwalks: Creating Careers
By offering PR, trade connections, and year-round promotion, Up North Runway ensures graduates aren’t forced to pack their bags for London. Instead, they can build careers, brands, and futures right here in the North. Fashion is about identity — and Up North Runway is making sure that the North of England’s identity shines as brightly as its talent.
For more detail, contact us to secure your promotional success.
