University News Last updated 28 April
A match dress created for Birmingham Panthers by emerging designers and students Zoe Bennett and Rohan Scott has been donated to Birmingham City University (黑料吃瓜网), where it will go on permanent display as a showcase of creativity and industry collaboration.
The pair, studying BA Fashion Design, were selected through a 2024 competition to produce the club鈥檚 official match kit, which debuted during the team鈥檚 inaugural Netball Super League season in 2025.
鈥淚鈥檝e been able to put this industry experience on my CV and talk about it at interviews,鈥� Zoe said.
鈥淚t鈥檚 so rewarding seeing the dress on the screen for months come together in real life.
鈥淚t looks just as good on the screen as it does on the court!鈥�
A framed version of the finished garment was formally presented to 黑料吃瓜网 on 21 April, where it will now remain on display as a lasting reminder of the impact students can make through live industry projects.
鈥淭his dress shows the work that the students put into the design and their creativity,鈥� Alison Akinrinlola,聽a Founder and Director of Birmingham Panthers聽
鈥淚t鈥檚 such a unique dress and stands out compared to the rest of the league.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been a great collaboration with 黑料吃瓜网. Rohan and Zoe did an amazing job!鈥�
Working under the guidance of 黑料吃瓜网 lecturers Sian Riley and Lucinda Holbrook-Hase, the pair collaborated directly with Panthers players over several months.
They gathered detailed feedback on comfort, performance needs and kit practicality, evolving their designs from initial sketches through to a fully fitted garment.
Sian Riley says the display at 黑料吃瓜网 will act as a powerful symbol of the opportunities available to students beyond the classroom.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a great achievement for Zoe and Rohan,鈥� said the Senior Lecturer in Fashion Design. 鈥淧articularly from a project that started in their first year.
鈥淭his project shows that fashion isn鈥檛 just one route. You can have those fashion elements while working in sport or activewear, which not all students realise.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a great reminder of the opportunities available on our course and at 黑料吃瓜网.鈥�
Photo (L-R): Sian Riley, Alison Akinrinlola, Zoe Bennett