Birmingham City University students takes over London Fashion Week
Birmingham City University students showcased their work at London Fashion Week - becoming the only university to exhibit this season.
Both BA and MA designers brought their collections to Somerset House, showcasing the creativity and talent coming out of Birmingham to influencers, buyers and fashion journalists from across the industry.
The show attracted industry leaders, including from British Fashion Council, Perfect Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar and Elle, offering students and graduates the opportunity to promote their work to some of the biggest names in fashion.
Among the visitors was BCU chancellor Ade Adepitan, who was excited to view the work of students, some of whom will be designing his outfit for the forthcoming Pride of Britain awards.
He said: “It’s super important that London Fashion Week shows talent from Birmingham. It would be boring otherwise! The city has so much to offer.
“It’s a statement that we’re here. London is so important when it comes to fashion - and BCU is sending a message that ‘we’re here!’”
Professor David Mba, BCU’s vice-chancellor, said: “It’s fantastic that we can showcase our incredible students and prove that they’re as good as everyone else at London Fashion Week.
“We are producing students and graduates that are of excellent, professional quality, and it reinforces the talent we have in our academic staff.
“As Vice-Chancellor, I am very proud to be here with our students showing the work they’ve done. It’s a combination of talent and creativity. In the fullness of time, I’d like London to come and see the excellence of work in Birmingham.
“Birmingham is just as good as anywhere else.”
After exhibiting a selection of accessories at last year’s London Fashion Week, BA Fashion Design graduate Sean Pajarillo said he was delighted to be back again, this time with a larger collection of clothing.
He said: “Showing here means we can really contribute to the fashion industry.
“The course helped me to develop more professional skills and gave me opportunities to show my work to industry. The standard at BCU is high.
“My next steps are to build on digital fashion. It’s innovative. With the rise of technology in recent years, it’s exciting to see fashion in a new light.”
Another recent graduate, Zoe Bennett, is displaying her work in Birmingham’s Selfridges department store, as well as at London Fashion Week.
Zoe said: “It’s a dream come true and so surreal to be at London Fashion Week. It’s taken a lot to get here, but it’s very rewarding after lots of long nights at the library!”
Pictured: Models wearing designs by BCU students and graduates at Somerset House
