Annual fashion event to take over Brindleyplace  

Birmingham City University is hosting their annual 1,000 Threads fashion event.

The event will feature 11 industry panel selected collections from Fashion and Jewellery graduates with themes of international connectivity, heritage and archiving.

Taking place on Thursday 18 June, the fashion event will take over Central Square in Brindleyplace, Birmingham.

Hosted by Strictly Come Dancing’s Lauren Oakley, visitors can expect world-class talent from BCU’s School of Arts showcasing the next generation of designers and makers.

Following the catwalk show, audiences can visit the School of Arts incredible exhibition of Art, Fashion, Jewellery, Media, Design and Textiles at X10, which will be open until 9pm on 18 June, the exhibition continues at X10 until 1 July 2026.

“The backdrop of Birmingham is important,” said Mavernie Cunningham, Dean of the School of Arts at BCU.

“As a city renowned for its heritage of making, craftsmanship and sheer brilliance for innovation, this event feels especially significant.

“As a School of Art, recently recognised with World Craft City status in the Department of Fashion and Jewellery, BCU continues to gain international recognition as a centre of creative excellence. 

“A place where our students develop not only the technical expertise and professional confidence required to succeed in their fields, but also the creativity and ambition needed to drive this innovation and change.  The next generation of creative talent gives us much hope.”

On the 1000 Threads catwalk BA Fashion graduates will present collections influenced by diverse sources including the artist Grayson Perry, Jamaican and Bangladesh heritage and textiles such as English wool and delicate lace.

From the MA Fashion and Textiles, the catwalk features a collection created in response to an increasingly digital and AI-driven world which is centred around creating artefacts while challenging fast cycles of consumption and design.  

Each graduate presenting on the catwalk were chosen following a series of presentations to a panel of industry experts and academics.

In addition, all graduating Fashion and Textiles students are showing their work as part of BCU’s Inspired Festival at the Parkside building, with opportunities to view their work until 27 June.

Lee Lapthorne, Associate Professor, Director of Creative Partnerships at BCU and Founder & Director of the 1000 Threads said: “Our graduates are tastemakers, craftspeople, innovators, entrepreneurs, and disruptors.

“They are not waiting to be discovered. They are here, in our city ambitious, skilled, and ready to shape what Birmingham's creative culture becomes next.

“This city has extraordinary potential. These graduates are part of its legacy. And this platform exists to make sure that legacy is seen, celebrated, and connected to the networks that will carry it forward.”

Matt Long, senior asset manager for Praxis at Brindleyplace said: “The 1000 Threads Fashion Show has become a firm favourite in the Brindleyplace calendar, and we are delighted to welcome BCU students, staff, stakeholders and visitors back for its third edition this year.”

1000 Threads catwalk collections will be worn by models from over 10 London agencies, hair by L’Oreal Professionnel and make up by The Central School of Make Up.

Invited guests can also head to the official after party at IKON Gallery for a School of Art takeover, with live student performances accompanied by Babz on Crack and Anat Ben David, DJs from Selectahood and drag queens. 

The exhibition at X10 is open till 9pm on 18 June but is open daily to the public until 1 July 2026.