Innagural BirmingHIM Men’s Fashion Week Focuses on Community, Clothing, Health

By Ameera Steward | The Birmingham Times

After completing his 2025 collection, fashion designer and celebrity stylist Perry Varner wanted to throw a party to celebrate the release of his clothing line. But as word got out and more men wanted to be involved, Varner — an Alabama native, author, and all-around socialite — felt called to do more. The idea for BirmingHIM Men’s Fashion Week was born.

Birmingham is invited to a week focused on fashion, community, and the importance of men’s health. Events begin on April 29, 2026.

“Once I put [the idea] on paper [and] prayed about it…I looked at the name Birmingham and I just changed the name to BirmingHIM, everything was about him,” Varner told the Birmingham Times. “It was about menswear. It was about wellness, men’s health – all these [different aspects] kept coming into play, and I kept saying that I wanted to do something bigger.”

The purpose of this event is to elevate platforms for designers and creatives but to also connect them to access not just within the fashion industry, but access to mental health resources, STD and HIV testing, prostate cancer testing, “all the things that men suffer from, we’re going to use the platform to connect them,” Varner said.

The entire week of events is free excluding the actual fashion show which costs $25 for general admission and $50 for the VIP experience. The VIP ticket grants access to the gifting lounge, front row seating, and the chance to meet high profile individuals in attendance.

Some high-profile expected attendees include Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, actor Sean Freeman, Birmingham Chief of Police Michael Pickett, model Will Conner and more.

“I just want to give people that connection, that platform, that access,” Varner said. “We have everything [people] are searching for right here in Birmingham including great designers, brands, creatives, and models.”

But the main aspect of Birmingham he wants the community to have access to are the health resources.

“It’s not about men’s fashion. It’s about men’s wellness,” said Varner. “Fashion is part of it, but it is about the inner wellness as well as the external wellness…this is about connecting you to the whole self. I like to say…we’re using this as an opportunity to help [men of all ages] curate their own journey towards manhood…It’s about access. It’s about wellness. It’s about resources.”

The BirmingHIM Men’s Fashion Week will take place from Wednesday, April 29 to Sunday, May 3.

Schedule of events:

Wednesday | April 29 | 4 to 10 p.m.

Shop & Sip Soiree at The Summit – 214 Summit Blvd.

BMFW Kickoff Afterglow at Tailored Smoke Cigar Lounge – 3431 Colonnade Pkwy Suite 500

A curated designer experience with a live DJ, small bites, a Sip & Shop Experience tailored to men, media mixer for influencers and podcasters, and a Summit Trunk Show featuring exclusive menswear brands.

Thursday | April 30 | 6 to 8 p.m.

Dressed to Heal: Brothers Let’s Talk Roundtable presented by Brothers Let’s Talk & Negro Southern League Museum – 120 16th St. S

A roundtable discussion on men’s mental health. There will also be a sneak peek of the 2026 menswear brands and designer presentations.

Friday | May 1 | 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Girl’s Night Out presented by Central Alabama Alliance Resource & Advocacy Center (CAARAC) at Hardwick Lounge at LaPeer – 2308 1st Ave. S

Music, cocktails, conversations, collaborations, boutique presentations and more for women. A Black carpet and little black dress event curated for women but open to everyone.

Devil Wear Prada 2 Movie Premiere at Birmingham Premiere LUX Theatre – 501 Lakeshore Pkwy – 9 p.m. red carpet (Movie ticket required)

Saturday | May 2 | 6 p.m.

BMFW Runway Fashion Show & Wellness Expo at Workplay – 500 23rd St.

(Ticket required)

A red-carpet affair with celebrity guests featuring eight emerging fashion designers: Sky Lanai Brand, Jaidyn Dix, Grown & Greek Apparel, James White House of JOW, Urban Vintage Apparel, Heru Ra Creations LLC, Ian Rashad Style & Design, and Richard Dickson by Perry Varner.

Sunday | May 3 | 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Dapper Day Party presented by Michael’s Restaurant and 100 Black Men of America – 1525 1st Ave. S.

A Derby-style day party, dress in derby attire or most dapper attire.

(RSVP required)

Visit www.himfashionweek.com for more information, to RSVP, and for tickets.