University News Last updated 09 June
Birmingham City University (BCU) fashion students have achieved standout success at the Association for Fashion Business Employability (AFBE) Awards, taking home four wins after impressing judges in a highly competitive showcase.
Mae Bruce, Amie Nicholls, Katie Donohue, Phoebe Hawksley, Oriana Wojciak, Ruby Ashton, Roos Klerks and Grace Brearley were all shortlisted as finalists – and all eight were praised for their insightful and highly professional presentations.
Competing against leading fashion schools from across the UK, BCU secured four of the nine awards on offer – making it the most successful university at the 2026 event.
The BCU winners were:
- Amie Nicholls – NEXT Commercial Strategy Award
- Katie Donohue – CLO 3D Digital Award
- Oriana Wojciak – The Creative Association Creativity Award
- Phoebe Hawksley – M&S Fashion Business Award
Annete Clarke, Senior Lecturer in BA (Hons) Fashion Business and Promotion at BCU, praised the work of all eight students.
“To be shortlisted at national level is a major achievement in itself, and every one of our finalists demonstrated exceptional professionalism, creativity and industry insight,” she said.
“To win four awards in such a strong field is an outstanding result. It reflects the talent and ambition of our students, and the strength of BCU’s industry connections in preparing them for successful careers in the fashion business sector.”
The AFBE Awards bring together leading UK fashion schools and industry partners to showcase emerging talent and strengthen employability across the sector through mentoring, networking and real-world experience.
The success underlines BCU’s growing reputation in fashion business education and its commitment to developing the next generation of industry professionals.