University News Last updated 18 September
That was the message from Birmingham City University's (BCU) Chancellor Ade Adepitan as 13 talented fashion students and graduates from the University took centre stage at London Fashion Week on Thursday (17 September).
After years of hard work, the BA and MA designers brought their collections to the iconic Somerset House, showcasing the creativity and talent coming out of Birmingham to influencers, buyers and fashion journalists from across the industry.
BCU is the only university to have exhibited at London Fashion Week this season - and, following its debut last year, its return to the capital was bigger and better.
The show attracted industry leaders, including from British Fashion Council, Perfect Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar and Elle, offering students and graduates the opportunity to promote their work to some of the biggest names in fashion.
Amongst the visitors was Ade Adepitan, who was excited to view the work of students, some of whom will be designing his outfit for the forthcoming Pride of Britain awards.
“It’s super important that London Fashion Week shows talent from Birmingham,” said Ade. “It would be boring otherwise! The city has so much to offer.
“It’s a statement that we’re here. London is so important when it comes to fashion - and BCU is sending a message that ‘we’re here!’”
It was BCU’s second successive appearance at September’s London Fashion Week - and the 2026 show was bigger and better.
Professor David Mba, BCU’s Vice-Chancellor, was full of praise for the efforts of students and staff after travelling to the capital to see the show for himself.
“It’s fantastic that we can showcase our incredible students and prove that they’re as good as everyone else at London Fashion Week,” he said.
“We are producing students and graduates that are of excellent, professional quality, and it reinforces the talent we have in our academic staff.
“As Vice-Chancellor, I am very proud to be here with our students showing the work they’ve done. It’s a combination of talent and creativity. In the fullness of time, I’d like London to come and see the excellence of work in Birmingham.
“Birmingham is just as good as anywhere else.”
After exhibiting a selection of accessories at last year’s London Fashion Week, BA Fashion Design graduate Sean Pajarillo said he was delighted to be back again, this time with a larger collection of clothing.
He also praised the opportunities being offered by BCU.
“Showing here means we can really contribute to the fashion industry,” he said.
“The course helped me to develop more professional skills and gave me opportunities to show my work to industry. The standard at BCU is high.
“My next steps are to build on digital fashion. It’s innovative. With the rise of technology in recent years, it’s exciting to see fashion in a new light.”
Another recent graduate, Zoe Bennett, is displaying her work in Birmingham’s Selfridges department store, as well as at London Fashion Week.
“It’s a dream come true and so surreal to be at London Fashion Week,” she said. “It’s taken a lot to get here, but it’s very rewarding after lots of long nights at the library!”
Joseph Turvey, MA Course Leader for Fashion and Textile Design at BCU, said London Fashion Week gave students an opportunity to showcase their talents around the world.
“London Fashion Week is a huge global platform that kickstarts the careers of so many designers,” he said.
“We’ve grown massively since we showed last year. Our prestige has risen, we’re getting more industry links, and our students are getting higher profile jobs.
“We’re so proud of our Birmingham heritage and Midlands-based creatives. The British Fashion Council is making huge strides in supporting sources of talent outside of the capital, and we hope to be the flagbearer for that initiative.”
Image credit: Fran Gomez de Villaboa