Thomas Street is buzzing with preparation for the prestigious Chanel fashion show coming to town in two weeks.
Large scale construction work is being carried out in Manchester’s Northern Quarter with metal structures erected to create a warehouse-style frame between Tib Street and High Street.
Road closures are in place and businesses remain open.
But local owners are staying tight-lipped about the prestigious catwalk event with many reported to be bound by NDAs.
Metal boxes displaying the Chanel name have been spotted at the site.
There were also French-speaking workers with clipboards behind the security barriers when Mancunian Matters visited the location today.
First details of the show emerged last year in British Vogue and Chanel confirmed the big budget event will take place in the city on December 7 but omitted to share an exact location.
As well as Thomas Street the shell of the old Smithfield Market on Edge Street is set to be used for the fashion event, according to workers on the site.
Chanel remains extremely guarded with no official confirmation of the event.
The annual Chanel Métiers d’Art collection, which translates as Master of Art, celebrates high-end fashion.
This is the first time an international luxury fashion show has taken place in Manchester with previous Chanel shows hosted in Tokyo, Glasgow and New York.
Manchester is no stranger to high end fashion with Colombian born designer Haider Ackermann choosing to launch its Fila collection at Mayfield Depot, Piccadilly last year.
The Paris-based designer is a favourite of actor Timothée Chalamet and was drawn to the English city for its unique combination of historic culture and youthful innovation.
All images: Lisa Valentine
