Blog

BCU Textile Design Awards 2021

The BA (Hons) Textile Design staff team were proud to present their Textile Design ‘Class of 2021’ at a celebratory eve...

Inspired Festival: How BCU’s Fashion Business Lecturers Became Charting Podcast Hosts

As part of BCU's Inspired Festival, we spoke to Sophie Johnson and Laura Arrowsmith  about their inspirations for creat...

What to Expect in Your First Year Studying BA (Hons) Costume Design and Practice

Mary Teresa Mayes joined Birmingham City University’s School of Fashion and Textiles , to study BA (Hons) Cost...

What to Expect in Your First Year Studying BA (Hons) Fashion Business and Promotion

Jack Avery joined Birmingham City University’s School of Fashion and Textiles , to study BA (Hons) Fashion Bus...

My Work Experience Placement at Grayling PR

Second year BA (Hons) Fashion Business & Promotion student, Tom Pleydell undertook an exciting two-month work placemen...

Why Should I Do a Foundation Year? Q&A with Course Director Louise Martin

We caught up with Course Director Louise Martin to find out why you should consider doing Foundation year in Fashion an...

What to Expect in Your First Year Studying BA (Hons) Fashion Design with Foundation Year

Charlotte Carter joined Birmingham City University’s School of Fashion and Textiles to study BA (Hons) Fashio...

17 BCU Creatives Launch Ohana Magazine

Ohana Magazine has been built entirely online by 17 BCU creatives, from the School of Fashion and Textiles , School ...

What can I do to prepare for my course at the School of Fashion and Textiles?

If you are looking to join the School of Fashion and Textiles this September, look no further for tips and ideas...

Fashion Business Lecturers Launch Podcast

Sophie Johnson and Laura Arrowsmith, both lecturers on our  BA (Hons) Fashion Business and Promotion  course, have...

What can I do with a Fashion degree?

Studying in the School of Fashion and Textiles, you’ll be taught by award-winning academics with a wealth of industry e...

Preparing for University with Student Success Advisor Miriam Bruton

School of Fashion Textiles Student Success Advisor, Miriam Bruton, gives her tips for preparing for university.

8 of the Best Fashion Podcasts

We all need some audio company when we’re working from home so we’ve compiled a list of fabulous fashion podcasts that ...

The Importance of Wellbeing for Textile Artists and Makers

Textile Design student Jade Durling discusses how textile projects have become an important source of mindfulness durin...

What does the future hold for the Bespoke Bridal industry?

Textile Design student Naomi Cross reflects on how lockdowns and Covid regulations have affected the bespoke bridalwear...

How Will Trend Forecasting Look Post-Covid?

Textile Design student Edita Sedoikina considers the effects of the pandemic on Trend Forecasters and how their roles h...

Shaping the Future of Fashion Education

Laura Arrowsmith discusses the changing nature of fashion education and the importance of keeping in touch with the evo...

Embracing the Female Family with Lounge Underwear

BA (Hons) Fashion Branding and Communication student, Carina Coelho, tells us about working on a live brief with Lounge...

Do High Street brands have a place at Fashion Week?

With a Virtual London Fashion Week looming, Sophie Johnson, questions whether the fashion week stage is the right place...

LFW 2021: The New Era of Fashion Weeks Post-Covid

Lecturer Sophie Johnson discusses the future of fashion week, amidst the upcoming digital London Fashion Week 2021.

I Want to Open People’s Minds to What Embroidery Can Be

Nahida Mahmood, Senior Embroidery Technician, discusses her recent award success. 

Exploring Sustainable Fashion with European Partners

Two final year Fashion Design students recently took part in MODA-FAD’s annual Sustainable Challenge. 

The 'new normal' is crisis

Superdry Sustainability Challenge for Fashion Design Students

This semester, BA (Hons) Fashion Design students teamed up with contemporary clothing brand Superdry in a sustainabilit...

Why Harry Styles' gender-fluid fashion is important

Lecturer Laura Arrowsmith reflects on the changing face of gendered fashion and what that could mean for leading retai...

Welcome to my Workspace: Sophie Johnson

Sophie is a lecturer in Fashion Business and Promotion. When working from home, she likes a cosy, quiet and well-organi...

Why a foundation year was the best choice for me

Learn about Anna’s journey from foundation year to BA, and the support and experience she gained along the way!

Shortlisted for GFW 2020: Tara McReynolds

Find out about (BA) Fashion Business and Promotion student Tara McReynold's Instagreen project.

The Signature Project

Foundation Fashion and Textiles students use creative strategies to showcase their personal design style. 

Top Tips for starting Fashion Business and Promotion

Starting University is the first step in achieving your future career. While this may seem nerve-racking, it’s also th...

How I completed my degree virtually during the pandemic

BA Fashion Business and Promotion student Zoe Bird reveals how she worked through the pandemic.

Learning during lockdown

(BA) Fashion Business and Promotion student Emily Orr talks about how she continued learning during lockdown

From foundation year to BA

Learn about Jasmine-Shah Miah's journey from foundation year to BA  Fashion Branding & Communication. 

How has COVID-19 affected our Fashion students' end of year studies?

While many fashion students are disappointed at having their final shows cancelled because of the pandemic, BCU’s Shan...

Shortlisted for GFW: Hannah Greenway

(BA) Fashion Business and Promotion student Hannah talks about her inspiration for her final year project which led he...

Preparing for Fashion Business and Promotion and Fashion Branding and Communication

Lock in with BA (Hons) Fashion Branding and Communications, and BA (Hons) Fashion Business and Promotion. Hear our top ...

Lock in with fashion and textiles

We know this is an unusual time for everyone and thought you might be struggling to find things to do whilst you’re st...

Shop savvy, save the planet

Oxfam’s Second Hand September is a campaign that aims to raise awareness of the environmental impact on fashion, and i...

My final year studying Textile Design

Textile Design graduate, Eleanor Brown secures invaluable experience in a world-renowned company, Amtico.

Alumni spotlight: Rebecca Lewis

Rebecca Lewis, BA (Hons) Textile Design graduate, shares what she’s been up to since graduation and gives her top tips ...

Staff profile: Annette Clarke

Take a look at Annette's career highlights and top tips for future students thing about studying fashion at BCU.

How I got to speak at the Change the World Model United Nations in New York

BA (Hons) Fashion Business and Promotion student Claudia Ferraretto speaks at an international conference...

Graduate Fashion Week: Meet our winners

40 universities showcase portfolios at the world's largest showcase of undergraduate fashion talent. 

Gabbie Armstrong: My next step in industry

Gabbie worked part time as an in-store trainee Visual Merchandiser at Outfit Fashion during her final year at BCU. Gett...

Short Course Spotlight: Trend Forecasting

Tutor Els Dragt, tells us her top five reasons to take our Trend Forecasting short course. 

Short Course Spotlight: Visual Merchandising

Tutor Vita Woods tells us her top five reasons to take our Visual Merchandising short course. 

Short Course Spotlight: Buying and Merchandising

Tutors Mike Hansell and Carla Frith tell us their top five reasons to take our Buying and Merchandising short course. 

Recognised by Industry: Textile Design Awards

Recently our final year BA Textiles Students were treated to a whole day packed full of industry insights which include...

A shift in the right direction

Student conference  highlights innovation and research ideas.

Ten Week Project with Style Birmingham

Find out what happened when our students did a 10-week project with Style Birmingham.

Alumni Spotlight: Amelia Frost

Amelia Frost, BA (Hons) Textile Design graduate, specialised in printed textiles and surface pattern.

Alumni spotlight: Steph Hutchins

BA (Hons) Fashion Design graduate Steph shares her global experience and top tips.

Alumni Spotlight: Charnice Blaize

Meet Charnice Blaize, Graduate Fashion Week winner  and Cultural Marketing Coordinator at ASOS.

How I secured a scholarship in Morocco and became a visiting tutor after graduating

Fashion design graduate, Holly Jayne Smith, tells us how she secured a scholarship in Morocco.

Exploring the legacy of Azzedine Alaïa and a snippet of magCulture

Fashion Branding and Communication students visit Azzedine Alaïa exhibition and magCulture.

Crazy in love with embroidery: my work on Beyonce's costume

"Surreal” is the one word used by 20 year old Rosie Gee to describe the incredible opportunity she recently embarked on...

MA Fashion and Textiles: highlights of the year so far

Our calendar is always jam-packed with activities and this year has been no different; from inspiring studio visits to ...

Seven weeks in a South of France Chateau; my unique industry placement

 BA (Hons) Textiles and design student  Isobel  Smith spends seven weeks in South of France.

How the Dean's Innovation Award will help me launch my own business

Millie tells us how her award has provided invaluable support for her plan to launch her own business.

How to make it in the world of fashion and textiles

Find out how we encourage and support you to seek out work placements and build your personal portfolio.

My award winning collection was scouted on Instagram

Take a look at how Bethany's collection was scouted for a fashion show after being discovered on Instagram.

My placement with a multi-disciplinary artist

Rebecca Day tells us more about her two-week placement with multi-disciplinary artist Lizzie King.

Graduate Fashion Week New Media Award Winner

Take a look at how BA (Hons) Fashion Business and Promotion graduate Rebecca won the prestigious prize.

Behind the scenes at Graduate Fashion week

Graduate Fashion week is at the top of the radar for students aspiring to be a part of the fashion industry.

Designing for Birmingham Royal Ballet

Check out what final-year School of Fashion and Textiles student Atena Ameri learned during her placement year.

ERASMUS exchange at Escola Massana in Barcelona

BA (Hons) Textile Design student Hope tells us more about her ERASMUS exchange trip.

M&S Undergraduate of the Year

Find out how BA (Hons) Fashion Business and Promotion student Chloe reached the grand final.

Creating a clothing range for George Asda

Find out more about the live brief BA (Hons) Fashion Business and Promotion students worked on.

My industry placement with H&M

BA (Hons) Fashion Design student Josephine tells us about working overseas with the high street retailer.

Trend forecasting with BDA London

First year student Aida Brown tells us more about being picked to showcase her Trend Forecasting module work.

Industry expert, Pete Tarrant, delivers digital embroidery masterclass

Find out how students worked with Pete to develop their knowledge of the industry digital embroidery program, Wilcom.

Life as a luxury textile designer

BA (Hons) Textile Design graduate Adriana Gentile sets up luxury homewares brand, Adriana Homewares.

A decade of fundraising and student excellence

 See how students have worked with charities as part of their Events Management module.

Which Textile Design Career is Right for You

BA (Hons) Textile Design graduate Sophie shows us the career paths that are accessible with a textiles degree.

Staff profile: Zoë Hillyard

Take a look at her career highlights so far and her tips for students studying BA (Hons) Textile Design.

Silk in South Asia

BA (Hons) Textile Design graduate Bronagh Teague spoke to us about developing textiles for design giant, Jim Thompson ...

Rosie Red brings bespoke bridal wear to London Fashion Week

Fashion Design graduate Rosie Dennington showcased her Wanderlust collection at London Fashion Week.

Kate Hollowood wins Gold at London Design Awards

Textile Design Graduate, Kate, spoke to us about her recent win and how she’s developed her brand.

Rhys Ellis debuts second collection: White Horses

Fashion Design graduate Rhys unveiled his Spring/Summer 2018 collection at London’s Dray Walk Gallery.

Balancing Tensions – What do you treasure?

Embroidery Lecturer and Textile Artist Zoë Hillyard recently curated her first Solo Exhibition ‘Balancing Tensions’.

Dream of your own fashion business? Final year student Paige is setting hers up right now

Paige is using the trend-forecasting and styling skills she’s learned to set up her own publishing business.

Backstage at London’s Graduate Fashion Week

BA (Hons) Fashion Design Lecturer Jason takes us behind the scenes of Graduate Fashion Week. 

Staff profile: Sophie Johnson

Take a look at Sophie's specialist areas of expertise and her favourite thing about working for BCU.

Fashion Business and Promotion student Charnice wins big at GFW 2017

Take a look at how Charnice won the ASOS Future Talent Award for Communication.

How to get a first in every project and why first year matters with Charnice

BA (Hons) Fashion Business and Promotion student Charnice shares her top tips with first-year student Serlait.

Life as an Influencer – My industry placement with ‘She Wears Fashion’

Read about Elle's experience of working with Fashion Blogger Kavita Donkersley, and her top placement tips!

Reproducing the 1845 Honeysuckle dress

Grace tells us about working with a real historical dress for the 'Cabinets of Costume' exhibition.

My Final Major Project for BA (Hons) Textile Design

Lauren takes us through her Final Major Project for BA (Hons) Textile Design and tells us what she's learned.

Landing a finalist spot in the 2017 Fashion Awareness Direct competition with Missoni

How I made the finalist shortlist for the Fashion Awareness Direct (FAD) competition with Missoni.

5 things I learned about myself on industry placement at Next

We caught up with second year BA (Hons) Fashion Business and Promotion student about her industry placement at Next.

Oh, la la Paris!

First year BA (Hons) Textile Design student Chloe Watling tells us more about her study trip to Paris.

Interning at LOOK magazine!

Find out more about Beth's exciting internship with LOOK magazine and her top tips for securing a placement.