Roads and pavements swamped by construction, puddles attempting to soak you at every step and a wind so strong your eyes water. My senses are overwhelmed.
I dart into a bar, appropriately named Home, and bask in some amber light and artificial heat. I’ve arrived at the Edinburgh Charity Fashion Show’s Synaesthesia Workshop.
By now, my senses have calmed and I’m ready to explore the chosen theme of ECFS 2026.
Synaesthesia, a neurological condition where your senses combine, leading to a sixth sense. This sense is unique to every individual who has the condition and tonight, all attendees have a chance to find out if they possess this secret sensation.
Through a shared vinyl-listening session, the workshop prompts us all to explore our senses and create art representative of what we experience.
After a quick catch-up with the show’s chairwoman, Ana, I take my seat nestled at the back of the downstairs bar and gather markers and paper to see where the music takes me.
The needle scratches into the vinyl. The opening track from Tame Impala’s Currents ripples into the crowd’s ears. Everyone around me gets to work and for a moment, I doubt my artistic ability, but as the music continues and the people around me chat about how the sounds are affecting them, I feel inclined to just trust myself, go for it and see if I have a sixth sense I never knew about.
The whole aim of the Synaesthesia Workshop is to relax, connect and create art. A truly immersive experience into a theme that explores the depth of basic human senses from a high-art aspect. Check out the profile of ECFS 2026 chairwoman, Ana Aritio, for a more thorough explanation of this year’s theme.
Around me, a mix of oil pastels, watercolours, pencils and marker pens scratch away at blank paper and reveal a journey through each individual’s senses. Some people develop their art piece by piece, just as the record spins from song to song, others slowly build on one idea as the album approaches its peak.
The next selected vinyl, Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd, is promptly placed on rotation and the crowd continues this thematic journey.
Moving around the room like an awkward secondary school art teacher, I ogle at all the work. I’m given a few one-liners by attendees to describe their pieces…
So, did I experience synaesthesia?
Well, no, but regardless it was more than refreshing to switch off from modern trappings and let myself be held captive by music and art. Many attendees shared that it had been years since they’d last braved creating something from nothing, and tonight reminded us how important it is to let our senses and imagination take control.
Events such as the workshop are continuing right up until the Edinburgh Charity Fashion Show on March 27th, building a whole world for this year’s theme and creating community in the city. To keep updated on these, you can check out the ECFS Instagram.
Tickets for ECFS 2026 will be released this Thursday, February 5th, at 6 pm UK time. Be sure to get them fast, as the show always sells out! At the heart of all this excitement, a reminder that 100% of the show’s profits go towards supporting Capability Scotland, a charity dedicated to supporting disabled people through all stages of life.
Tickets for the Edinburgh Charity Fashion Show 2026 are available here.
