Birmingham City University (BCU) will be hosting a free-to-visit exhibition featuring the designs of some of its fashion, textiles and jewellery students this month ahead of the BCU Presents: 1000 Threads catwalk show, which takes place on 12th June.
Between 9th – 27th June, the public can get an exclusive look at the collections designed and created by 10 BCU students at BCU Presents: 1000 Threads exhibition, situated at X Building, 10 Brindleyplace. Open 9am – 5pm during Monday – Friday, visitors to the exhibition will be able to view the full collections and find out more about the students’ inspirations and creative processes.
The opening of the exhibition will be followed by a live catwalk show on Thursday 12th June, hosted in Oozells Square at Brindleyplace. The BCU Presents: 1000 Threads fashion show hosted by BBC’s award-winning presenter and journalist, Kathryn Stanczyszyn, will allow the students to showcase items from their collections on the catwalk. Members of the public can watch the show live from 6.30pm.
The show will be followed by a VIP after-party for invited guests in the X Building, with a guest DJ set by Hits Radio presenter and former Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt. Both events take place during BCU’s Inspired Festival, which runs throughout the month, providing a platform for students from across the University’s Faculty of Arts, Design and Media school to showcase their work.
During the exhibition, mannequins will form a focal point to display items from the diverse collections. With many of the students taking inspiration from their cultural heritage and using their own grown biomaterials, visitors to the exhibition will be wowed by the creativity and uniqueness of the designs on display. Students from the BCU’s School of Jewellery (SoJ) will also showcase their intricate design pieces at the exhibition and during the catwalk show.
Lee Lapthorne, Head of the College of Jewellery, Fashion and Textiles at BCU, added: “The final preparations are underway for BCU Presents: 1000 Threads – an exhibition of jewellery, fashion and textiles plus a catwalk event that showcases the creativity of our students.
“We are delighted to be collaborating with Brindleyplace to provide this invaluable opportunity for our emerging designers to present their work to the public of our home city of Birmingham. We strongly encourage members of the community to visit the exhibition in the coming weeks and experience first-hand the exceptional quality and innovation demonstrated in the students’ collections.
“This event is not merely a celebration of aesthetic achievement; it serves as a testament to the talent, commitment, and professional readiness of our graduates. At Birmingham City University, we take pride in cultivating individuals who are equipped with the craft skills, creativity, innovation and confidence to thrive in a competitive and evolving industry landscape.
“We look forward to welcoming the public to join us in recognising the achievements of the next generation of design professionals.” Imogen Prifti, Asset Manager CBREi, 10 Brindleyplace, said: “We’re excited to host this exhibition in 10 Brindleyplace. In addition to being able to visit the impressive work of the students of BCU’s School of Fashion, Textiles and Jewellery, it gives the public an opportunity to get a glimpse inside one of Birmingham’s most sustainable office buildings.”
The live catwalk show on Thursday 12th June will be followed by a VIP after-party for invited guests, which is sponsored by Brockmans Gin and features food and drink from Rudy’s Pizza and Lulu Wild.
