University News Last updated 16 September
Clothing designed by three students from Birmingham City University (BCU) has gone on display at Selfridges in Birmingham’s Bullring – just as the talented trio head to the capital for London Fashion Week.
Imarnie Bennett, Zoe Bennett and Frankie Ward, who all graduated with a BA in Fashion Design this summer, were invited to showcase their menswear and womenswear pieces at the city’s famous department store.
“Seeing a piece from my graduate collection positioned amongst high-end luxury and designer fashion makes it feel like the work has finally stepped out of the studio and into the real world,” said Frankie.
“For so long, it existed in my head, in my sketchbooks and through the making process, so to now have real people seeing it is incredibly special. Having that happen in Birmingham, the city where it was created, makes it even more meaningful.”
The display is further recognition for the students, coming just a few weeks after their collections went on show at BCU’s 1000 Threads catwalk show in June.
“It’s fantastic to be working with such an iconic brand as Selfridges, who champion local communities and are committed to supporting the incredible creative talent emerging from BCU,” said Joe Turvey, Senior Lecturer in Fashion Design.
“We strive to provide our students and graduates with valuable industry experience, meaningful opportunities and connections that can help them build successful careers.
“This partnership is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the talent of our students and graduates while giving them invaluable experience working with a globally recognised brand.”
Imarnie described the opportunity to show off her work at Selfridges as a truly special achievement.
“This display represents the hard work, creativity and dedication I have put into developing my designs,” she said.
“Seeing my work displayed in such an iconic space makes me feel incredibly grateful, inspired and excited for what the future holds. This is such a great way to end my undergraduate journey and start my MA in Fashion Design.”
Their work will be on show in the womenswear section of the department store until the 16th October.
“Seeing my fashion pieces displayed at Selfridges feels honestly surreal!” said Zoe Bennett.
“I came into fashion knowing very little, beyond what I had seen in magazines, so to now see my own work in a space like this makes me realise just how far I’ve come.
“It’s so cool to see my piece sitting alongside designers I’ve always looked up to and aspire to be like one day.”
All three designers will attend London Fashion Week on Thursday (16 September) as BCU prepares to wow audiences at Somerset House.
BCU is the only university showing at the internationally lauded event, which attracts established and up-and-coming designers from the UK and beyond.
Image: Clothing designed by Imarnie Bennett, Zoe Bennett and Frankie Ward (L-R)