SPOTLIGHT FEATURE

Gallery to Runway: The Art of Empowerment for new member Amber Lily

How one Manchester creative blends fine art, performance, and purpose to inspire a life in full color.

Art, Healing, and Empowerment: A Journey from the Gallery to the Stage

For many, a "day job" is just a means to an end. But for this Manchester-based creative, Amber Lily, it's part of a much larger tapestry woven from fine art, performance, and purpose.

By day, she works in a commercial art gallery in the heart of Manchester, representing globally acclaimed fine artists and connecting collectors with pieces that resonate across borders. "I’ve been lucky to have flexibility in my role," Amber Lily says. "It’s allowed me to explore other avenues that are deeply important to me, including charity work and creative projects beyond the gallery walls."

Over the past four years, she's moved through various departments within the gallery, gaining a holistic understanding of the commercial art world. But what has stayed with her most is the transformative power of art. “Many of the artists I’ve worked with credit their practice with helping them heal from trauma. That’s something I’ve seen over and over again, and it’s been a focus during my pageant journey too.” Amber has now partnered with multiple charities that use art therapy as a cornerstone for supporting vulnerable communities—efforts she weaves into her day-to-day life with intention and passion.

A Life Fueled by Creativity and Compassion

Her drive isn’t confined to the art world. At her core, she is someone motivated by a desire to uplift others. “The thread through everything I do is asking myself how I can help, inspire, or empower someone else,” Amber Lily explains. That outlook has led her to countless creative outlets—dancing, runway, pageantry, and writing. A natural performer, she’s been crafting poetry and plays since her teenage years, using the written word to express what performance often cannot.

Roots in Discipline and Drive

Her story begins in a working-class household in Greater Manchester, where creativity and ambition were nurtured from a young age. With the steadfast support of her parents and brother, she began Latin American dance at three, entering national competitions by five. By age ten, she’d signed with a Manchester-based talent agency, landing modeling gigs for catalogs like Studio, Argos, and Tesco, and even starring in British TV commercials.

It’s this early exposure to competitive and professional spaces that shaped her relentless work ethic. “That experience gave me so much discipline and an internal drive to always go one step further than before,” she reflects.

Breaking into a Crowded Industry with Confidence

With her hands in art, performance, writing, and community service, it would be easy to feel overwhelmed by the noise of the influencer-saturated digital space. But she’s unfazed. “Absolutely not,” she says when asked if she felt nervous. “The way I see it, what’s meant for me won’t pass me by. There’s space for all of us to shine.”

Rather than viewing others as competition, she embraces collaboration and learning. “I try to see others' success as inspiration. We’re all walking our own path, and there’s enough room for every voice.”

A Life of Purpose in Every Medium

Whether she’s curating world-class art, walking a runway, writing from the heart, or giving back to her community, her work is rooted in authenticity. With clarity in her purpose and an open heart, she continues to make space—for herself and others—to be seen, heard, and healed.

LANDING ON THE RUNWAY

We are happy to announce that Amber Lily has secured her first Runway Modeling Gig with Fashion PR Firm. She will be walking the Runway this Fall in the United Kingdom as part of the Fashion PR Firm Modeling Roster.

Follow her: https://www.instagram.com/amberlilyslowey/