Valuable industry experience for students both on the catwalk and backstage at MFI x Homobloc event

The annual Homobloc festival returned with a 13-hour celebration of queer culture, as Manchester Fashion Institute (MFI) students played a key role in delivering one of the event’s standout attractions.  

The spectacular runway show, MFI x Homobloc, celebrates Manchester’s LGBTQI+ and QTIPOC (Queer, Trans and/or Intersex Person of Colour) communities. 

Taking part in the collaboration were 20 Manchester Fashion Institute students who supported the show through photography, styling, production, dressing and videography, while others showcased their creative work on the catwalk. 

Guided by industry professionals throughout the project, students gained valuable experience working behind the scenes of a large-scale live event while helping to capture the essence of Manchester’s renowned QTIPOC rave scene. 

The collaboration between Homobloc and Manchester Fashion Institute forms part of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), Community and Belonging programme, overseen by Nathan Roberts, Programme Leader for Fashion Business and Management. 

Roberts, who coordinates Manchester Met’s involvement in the event, said: “Students can choose which aspect of the project they want to be involved in, whether that’s backstage production, styling, photography or presenting their work on the runway. 

“No matter their role, everyone becomes part of a live event environment and gains first-hand experience of how fashion shows are produced, both behind the scenes and on stage. 

“The event is incredibly fast-paced, with a large audience and a real sense of community. Manchester Met has a diverse student body, so it’s fantastic to be involved in an event that celebrates and supports so many different identities and experiences.” 

One of the students returning for a second year is Design student Heidi O’Donoghue. Since her first experience with Homobloc, she has gone on to organise her own catwalk and fashion events, and was asked to showcase her work at Manchester Pride by curator of Homobloc, Banksie. 

She said: “Being asked by Banksie to show my work at pride was amazing! It’s really nice when people want to work with you again and you can build those important connections within your community.” 

Production Assistant Nico Mewburn is also participating for a second year. Through their involvement with Homobloc, Mewburn discovered a passion for live event production and has since worked at festivals across the UK. 

Lily Ashwell, in her third year of Fashion Marketing, is another student returning to the project after taking part for the first time last year. She said: “It was an honour to be selected to work at Homobloc alongside fellow MFI students. The experience has helped me to build connections with other creatives who share similar interests and ambitions. 

“Meeting industry professionals in such a vibrant city was incredibly inspiring and opened doors to new opportunities within Manchester’s live events sector.” 

Having worked as a dresser during last year’s event, Ashwell returned in a backstage management role, helping to support and mentor students taking part in the collaboration for the first time. 

The student experience project continues to provide students with invaluable industry connections and authentic experience within a professional live-event environment, while also giving them the opportunity to showcase their creativity to a large audience. 

Homobloc Creative Director Sophie Bee is an alumna of Manchester Met, having completed a Master’s degree in Youth and Community.  

The runway was curated by Banksie, drag performer and former contestant on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, who worked closely with students throughout the project. 

Banksie said: “This year, I had the absolute pleasure of bringing the runway back to Homobloc, as always with an exciting collaboration between Manchester Fashion Institute, as well as the incredible creative community behind Homobloc and a whole host of emerging talent.”