University News Last updated 08 June
In the city of a thousand trades, Birmingham City University鈥檚 open air fashion event, 1000 Threads is back on Thursday 18 June. Free to attend, the annual outdoor catwalk event will take over Central Square, Brindleyplace, Birmingham.
Hosted by Strictly Come Dancing鈥檚 Lauren Oakley expect world-class talent from 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 School of Arts showcasing the next generation of designers and makers.
The catwalk will feature 11 industry panel selected collections from Fashion and Jewellery graduates with themes of international connectivity, heritage and archiving.
Following the catwalk show, audiences can visit the School of Arts incredible exhibition of Art, Fashion, Jewellery, Media, Design and Textiles at X10, which will be open until 9pm on 18 June, the exhibition continues at X10 until 1 July 2026.
鈥淭he backdrop of Birmingham is important,鈥� said Mavernie Cunningham, Dean of the School of Arts at 黑料吃瓜网. 鈥淎s a city renowned for its heritage of making, craftsmanship and sheer brilliance for innovation, this event feels especially significant.
鈥淎s a School of Art, recently recognised with World Craft City status in the Department of Fashion and Jewellery, 黑料吃瓜网 continues to gain international recognition as a centre of creative excellence.
鈥淎 place where our students develop not only the technical expertise and professional confidence required to succeed in their fields, but also the creativity and ambition needed to drive this innovation and change. The next generation of creative talent gives us much hope.鈥�
On the 1000 Threads catwalk BA Fashion graduates will present collections influenced by diverse sources including the artist Grayson Perry, Jamaican and Bangladesh heritage and textiles such as English wool and delicate lace.
From the MA Fashion and Textiles, the catwalk features a collection created in response to an increasingly digital and AI-driven world which is centred around creating artefacts while challenging fast cycles of consumption and design.
Each graduate presenting on the catwalk were chosen following a series of presentations to a panel of industry experts and academics. In addition, all graduating Fashion and Textiles students are showing their work as part of 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 Inspired Festival at the Parkside building, with opportunities to view their work until 27 June.
Lee Lapthorne, Associate Professor, Director of Creative Partnerships at 黑料吃瓜网 and Founder & Director of the 1000 Threads said: 鈥淥ur graduates are tastemakers, craftspeople, innovators, entrepreneurs, and disruptors.
鈥淭hey are not waiting to be discovered. They are here, in our city ambitious, skilled, and ready to shape what Birmingham's creative culture becomes next.
鈥淭his city has extraordinary potential. These graduates are part of its legacy. And this platform exists to make sure that legacy is seen, celebrated, and connected to the networks that will carry it forward.
Matt Long, Senior Asset Manager for Praxis at Brindleyplace said: 鈥淭he 1000 Threads Fashion Show has become a firm favourite in the Brindleyplace calendar, and we are delighted to welcome 黑料吃瓜网 students, staff, stakeholders and visitors back for its third edition this year.
鈥淲e鈥檙e especially excited to see the event move from Oozells Square to Central Square, where our iconic fountains will provide a stunning backdrop to showcase the creativity and talent of these emerging young designers.
鈥淎s a city-centre destination with expansive public spaces, canal side restaurants, and offices home to some of Birmingham鈥檚 largest employers, Brindleyplace offers a truly unique setting. By hosting events of this scale and significance, we reinforce our commitment to supporting both the business and leisure communities, as well as the millions of visitors we welcome each year.鈥�
1000 Threads is delivered in partnership with Brindleyplace with sponsorship from Bank Restaurant and the Ikon Gallery.
1000 Threads catwalk collections will be worn by models from over 10 London agencies, hair by L鈥橭real Professionnel and make up by The Central School of Make Up.
1000 Threads is FREE to attend on Thursday 18 June at 6.30pm, expect standing room only in Central Square, Brindleyplace. Invited guests can also head to the official after party at IKON Gallery for a School of Art takeover, with live student performances accompanied by Babz on Crack and Anat Ben David, DJs from Selectahood and drag queens.
The exhibition at X10 is open till 9pm on 18 June but is open daily to the public until 1 July 2026. this exhibition highlights live industry and community-based collaborations alongside the achievements and accolades of 黑料吃瓜网鈥檚 2026 graduates and alumni. The exhibition offers visitors a unique insight into the processes, ideas, and innovations of a new generation of creatives.
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