A group of emerging fashion designers from Birmingham City University (UK) will be premiering their collections at a series of fashion shows in China this month. Five final-year students from the BA Fashion Design course will see their work on show at the Academy of International Visual Arts (AIVA) in Shanghai and Jiangnan University in Jiangsu Province, as well as forming part of an annual catwalk show at Changshu Institute of Technology.

Collections set to debut on the runway include items of clothing inspired by street art, Britain in the 1940s and the pressures of being a teenager.

“My collection explores the different circumstances experienced by teenagers who are trying to find themselves and fit into society, while battling the pressures surrounding them in their daily lives from friends, family and the media”, said student Ashley Allan.

“Showcasing my work in China is such an incredible opportunity and a great way to end my experience at university”, added Ashley. “I’m looking forward to experiencing the culture, as well as having an in-depth insight into the fashion industry.”

The trip has emerged from an existing institutional partnership between Birmingham City University and Changshu Institute of Technology, and academics had been discussing ways in which the two institutions could collaborate more closely for some time. The idea then spread to encompass two other partners; AIVA and Jiangnan University.

Changshu Institute of Technology and Jiangnan University are situated in Jiangsu Province, an area famous for fashion and textile production, including luxury goods and major Chinese brands.

Professor Colin Gale, Head of the School of Fashion and Textiles at Birmingham City University, said:

“We’re delighted to provide our students with this fantastic opportunity, which we hope to continue on an annual basis. We would also like to develop a reciprocal showcase in Birmingham for our Chinese partners.”

Birmingham City University recently became one of few institutions globally to be given approval by the Chinese Government to set up a jointly run higher education institute in China.

The partnership with Wuhan Textile University will see Birmingham Institute of Fashion and Creative Art open to a new intake of 300 students in September 2016.