Students showcased their work on an interactive runway and developed industry skills through work experience

A group of talented fashion students and graduates from Manchester Met’s Manchester Fashion Institute (MFI) helped to bring to life the world’s first AI-driven, immersive, shoppable catwalk, developed in collaboration with British fashion brand Topshop and award-winning creative marketing agency, THG Studios.  

Final year BA Fashion Design and Technology students Amelia Baker, Oliwia Chrobak, Isabella Goldsmith, Molly Pittman and Rosie Holmes were selected to present their designs on the interactive and shoppable catwalk to an impressive audience of key industry experts, top-tier creators and cultural figures. 

As part of an initiative from THG Studios to nurture the next generation of industry leaders and support Manchester’s creative ecosystem, students showcased striking garments in the catwalk show’s finale, alongside innovative digital portfolio work from students and graduates who used AI to drive design work and visualisation.  

A group of 14 fashion students also undertook work experience at the innovative fashion event with roles ranging from content creation to dressers and backstage production support, giving them invaluable hands-on experience of live runway production and AI-driven fashion innovation. 

Student Rosie Holmes showcased her innovative men’s sportswear looks on the catwalk which centred around commuter friendly outerwear featuring ventilation panels, reflective motifs and pockets.

Holmes said: “It was an incredible experience to see my work come to life on the runway as part of the world’s first AI-driven catwalk. As a student, you don’t expect your work to be shown on a catwalk featuring an iconic brand like Topshop. 

“We were able to choose which model we wanted to wear our designs, dress them, style them and I loved seeing it all come together at the show. I’ve learned so many valuable skills about the design process during this experience which I’ll be able to put into practice during my final major project.”

Fellow student Oliwia Chrobak presented looks from her collection Apocalypse Survival, blending military and naval heritage with modern functionality to create refined, versatile garments using technical fabrics, waterproof finishes and 3D-printed elements for high performance while maintaining a clean, restrained aesthetic.

Chrobak said: “I was incredibly proud to present my work on such a high-profile stage. After months of development, seeing the garment move under the lights — within such an innovative, AI-integrated concept — strengthened my confidence in my creative direction.  

“As a Polish immigrant living in the UK, this opportunity carried even deeper meaning. Standing alongside such talented creatives and presenting my work on a national platform reminded me how far I’ve come and why I continue to push myself. This experience taught me the importance of adaptability, collaboration, and precision and showed me how powerfully creativity and technology can merge. It has elevated my studies and shaped the kind of designer I aspire to become.”

Headlined by British fashion brand Topshop, the interactive show was created by award-winning creative marketing agency THG Studios and presented in collaboration with PayPal and Google Cloud at THG Studios in Manchester on February 26, 2026. 

The ‘Runway to the Future’ production was certified as being the world’s first AI-driven immersive, shoppable catwalk, by the World Record Certification Agency during the event, setting a new global benchmark for interactive retail and brand experience.

Featuring key pieces from the latest Topshop and Topman collections, the show blended human models and AI-generated virtual avatars to transform the traditional runway into a living, shoppable ecosystem where people could interact, try on virtual outfits and purchase looks in real-time using a bespoke app. 

Dr Douglas Atkinson, Reader in Fashion Technologies at MFI, who co-ordinated the student work presented at the event, said: “We’re incredibly proud that THG Studios and Topshop have selected looks from our students to walk the runway. Our students work showcased exceptional craftsmanship and technical construction in contemporary clothing. Alongside the catwalk show, we also presented pioneering AI and 3D design projects from students and alumni, highlighting the breadth of skills our students have developed at MFI.”

Sian Vance, Senior Lecturer in Fashion Communication and Employability Lead at MFI, who organised the work experience opportunities for students, added: “This collaboration has given our students invaluable, real-world work experience. Working within an AI-driven production that reimagines such an iconic brand like Topshop has made the opportunity even more powerful. By being embedded in a live, high-profile industry environment, our students have expanded their professional networks, strengthened their career confidence, sharpened their industry awareness and positioned themselves confidently within the evolving future of fashion.”