BCU brings the glam back to Birmingham with open-air summer fashion event

Hosted by BBC’s award-winning presenter and journalist, Kathryn Stanczyszyn - and featuring an exclusive after-party for invited guests, supported by Brockmans Gin - the evening will be packed with colour, glamour and entertainment. 

Following the success of 2024’s event, the fashion show will take place at Oozells Square and will see 10 talented BCU fashion students showcase items selected from their diverse collections. Members of the public will be able to watch the catwalk show live in Oozells Square from 6.30pm.

The BCU Presents: 1000 Threads fashion show will also be preceded by a reception for invited guests, hosted at the Ikon Gallery, and followed by a private view of the exhibition in the X10 building of unique fashion, textiles and jewellery designs from this year’s graduates.

The event forms a central part of BCU’s Inspired Festival, which runs throughout June showcasing the work of students from the University’s Faculty of Arts, Design and Media. Students from BCU’s School of Jewellery (SoJ) will also showcase their work as their designs are paired with fashion pieces appearing on the catwalk.

Attendees to the show will be wowed by the creativity and boldness of the designs, and by the ambitions displayed by the students taking part. Students were challenged to identify a key market, or address a pressing issue within the fashion industry. Through a combination of ingenuity and purpose, a number of students were inspired to grow their own biomaterials, and challenge industry standards around sizing and fit across diverse body types. 

And many of the students have drawn inspiration from their cultural heritage to influence their collections and demonstrate what it means to be a fashion designer in today’s world.

Professor David Mba, Vice-Chancellor at BCU, said: “As the city of a 1000 trades, Birmingham has a rich history in fashion and is buzzing with creativity. Therefore, we’re delighted to again provide our students with the opportunity to bring their designs to life at BCU Presents: 1000 Threads. It’s so important that we continue to invest in order to offer these kinds of opportunities and develop the fashion talent of tomorrow in the city.” 

Lee Lapthorne, Head of the College of Jewellery, Fashion and Textiles at BCU, added: “We’re absolutely thrilled to bring back BCU Presents: 1000 Threads fashion show and jewellery, fashion and textile exhibition this June following the success of last year’s event. The show not only gives our diverse students a fantastic platform to showcase their talents, creativity and network with the creative community in our home city, but it also provides an opportunity to empower our students to best prepare for the challenges faced in presenting their work to an audience. We are planning an exceptional representation of our talented graduates whose work is not to be missed.”

Matt Long, Senior Asset Manager for Praxis at Brindleyplace, said: “It is great that Oozells Square has once again been recognised as a stunning backdrop for the BCU Presents: 1000 Threads fashion show and we are pleased to continue our collaboration with BCU by welcoming BCU students, staff, stakeholders and visitors to the estate. 

“Brindleyplace is a unique city-centre location, alongside its sizeable public realm and canals, there are restaurants and offices housing some of the biggest employers in the city. Hosting events of this scale and significance, solidifies our commitment not only to the business and leisure community but also to the millions of visitors we attract each year.”

Members of the public will be able to see the full show collection in person at a free-to-visit exhibition between 7^th – 26^th June. Open Monday - Friday between 9am – 5pm, the collection can be viewed at 10 Brindleyplace. 

BCU has a deep-rooted history in fashion, textiles and jewellery, and continues to grow its legacy. This year, BCU will be working with partners from across the city and the world of fashion to provide opportunities for students and graduates to showcase their work at venues such as Dover Street Market in London, Paris Couture Fashion Week and the Leather Museum in Walsall. 

To find out more about The College of Jewellery, Fashion, and Textiles, visit: bcu.ac.uk/subject-areas/fashion-and-textiles and bcu.ac.uk/subject-areas/jewellery.

For more information on the Inspired Festival visit bcu.ac.uk/arts-design-and-media/inspired-festival.