Fashion Week programme revealed as plans gather momentum

BIG PLANS: Seguntuyi Onakoya at a runway show at Ferens Art Gallery.

By Rick Lyon, Co-Editor

Designers, creative businesses and students will take centre stage during a packed programme at Hull & East Yorkshire Fashion Week.

Branded ‘Future in Fashion’, the week will take place from Saturday, May 30 to Saturday, June 6, with a series of high-profile events staged in some of Hull’s most recognisable locations.

Led by fashion brand HOUSEOFTUYI, Fashion Week aims to celebrate talent and inspire future creatives.

Hull Fashion Week was previously held ten years ago but the event is returning bigger and better than before, with the intention being for it to become an annual occasion.

The week will officially launch with ‘Hull Trade Fair’ on Saturday, May 30 – coinciding with Hull Trade Day – at Trinity Market.

An expanded version of a successful 2025 pop-up event, the trade fair will showcase a diverse range of creative entrepreneurs, including fashion designers, accessory makers, wig makers, skincare brands and vintage sellers.

East Riding College students will play a central role, selling and showcasing their own designs, with over 100 students involved across fashion, hair, beauty and other creative disciplines.

The college is a key partner of the event, reflecting the strong educational focus at the heart of Fashion Week.

The trade fair will also feature live demonstrations, business networking opportunities, food and drink stands and live music, setting the tone for a community-driven celebration of the region’s creative economy.

A private ‘Vision Reveal’ preview night will follow at Allenby Commercial’s Monocle development on Wednesday, June 3.

It will bring together stakeholders, sponsors, educators, investors and media for an exclusive first look at Fashion Week’s long-term vision.

Hosted in collaboration with regional partners, the evening will include a keynote outlining the history and return of Fashion Week, a mission and roadmap presentation and a curated mini-runway preview featuring looks from HOUSEOFTUYI.

The event will also provide valuable networking opportunities and act as a platform to secure further partnerships and investment.

The first full day, titled ‘Hair & Beauty Walk’, takes place at Jubilee Church on Thursday, June 4, and will focus entirely on the region’s vibrant hair and beauty sector.

Fashion Week organisers are working with several hair and beauty businesses to shine a spotlight on local salons, barbers, make-up artists, skincare brands, freelancers and students.

INSPIRATION: Seguntuyi Onakoya, founder and creative director of HOUSEOFTUYI

Models will wear neutral outfits to keep attention on hair and make-up artistry, while interactive beauty stations, educational talks and live demonstrations will offer audiences a hands-on experience.

The day is designed to promote career pathways, celebrate skills and give students real-world exposure on a professional platform.

The following day – Friday, June 5 – will see ‘Theatre of Dreams’ transform Queen Victoria Square into a live cultural stage, blending fashion with performance, music, dance and storytelling.

Featuring street performers and theatrical runway moments, the day will bring together fashion designers, performing arts students and local theatre companies to create an immersive, open-air celebration.

Collaborations with the University of Hull and East Riding College will see students present fashion-inspired performances that reflect the city’s culture, history and future.

The week will culminate on Saturday, June 6 with ‘The Big Stage’ – a high-production grande finale hosted by the Federation of Sport, which will welcome around 200 guests, including sponsors, media and local leaders.

The show will feature runway collections from East Riding College fashion students alongside established regional and national designers.

Professional production, red carpet arrivals, press interviews and a post-show celebration will position the finale as a defining moment for the week.

University of Hull marketing students will support the promotion of Fashion Week as part of their course, gaining hands-on experience while contributing to the event’s reach and impact.

Fashion Week is also being supported by organisations including Future Humber, HullBID, Visit Hull and Hull City Council.

Seguntuyi Onakoya, founder and creative director of HOUSEOFTUYI – and the inspiration behind Hull & East Yorkshire Fashion Week – said: “It’s incredibly exciting to see everything coming together.

“Fashion Week is about more than fashion – it’s about people, opportunity and giving this region a platform it truly deserves.

“The level of collaboration, from students and educators to businesses and sponsors, shows what’s possible when Hull and East Yorkshire believes and invests in its creative future.”

Councillor Rob Pritchard, portfolio holder for culture and leisure at Hull City Council, said: “Hull & East Yorkshire Fashion Week highlights the strength of our creative sector and the opportunities it creates for local people.

“By bringing together students, designers and businesses, the programme showcases Hull’s talent and collaborative spirit.

“Hull City Council is proud to support an event that places culture at the heart of skills development.”

Creative businesses across the region, including fashion designers, jewellery makers, hair and beaty stylists, photographers and videographers, as well as hospitality businesses, are being encouraged to get involved.

●      For more information, or to get involved, contact the support team at hey.fashionweek@gmail.com

●      Alternatively, visit its Instagram and TikTok @hey_fashionweek

●      Tickets will be live on Eventbrite from March 1.