TextilesBCU

🌟L5 PLACEMENT HIGHLIGHT Leah Humphries has recently completed a two-week placement at FROW Magazine, an online fashion and lifestyle publication, where she gained valuable insight into the world of fashion journalism, research and digital publishing. “I had such an amazing time working with FROW Magazine as a Fashion and Lifestyle Journalist. Brainstorming, researching and writing a range of articles for the publication was such a rewarding experience. As someone who had no previous experience in journalism, having the freedom to explore and learn was incredibly valuable. This placement has taught me so much about how the industry operates and I can’t wait to use my new research skills in combination with woven design to help inspire and develop my future projects.” @textilesleah @frowmagazine #bcu_classof27 #textileplacement_bcu #fashionandlifestylejournalism

🌟 L5 PLACEMENT HIGHLIGHT Anna Bridgwood has had a fantastic opportunity to spend two weeks gaining insight into the world of Interior Design at DAPA ATELIER, a multi-disciplinary interior design studio based in Birmingham. “During my time there, I selected fabrics for live designer projects, attended meetings with wallpaper and fabric representatives, and had the chance to shadow senior designers throughout their creative processes. I also designed my own cohesive two-bedroom London apartment concept, presented my work to the senior design team, and created professional, industry-ready fabric sample boards. This experience allowed me to develop both my creative and professional skills, aswell as gaining valuable insight into the interior design industry, confirming the career path I am aiming towards.” A huge thank you to @dapaatelier for all of your support! @annatextiles_ @dapaatelier #bcu_classof27 #textileplacement_bcu #interiordesign

🌟 L5 PLACEMENT HIGHLIGHT As our L5 placements start to come to an end, we are excited to begin sharing some insights into the exciting things they’ve been up to! To start our series, Rui Zhang (Rebecca) has spent a wonderful month at Jennifer Clair, a London-based haute couture house. “Learning different embroidery techniques and understanding the entire process of haute couture production was a fantastic opportunity for me. Working with designers on the embroidery aspects of collection dresses was incredibly rewarding. Throughout the internship, I not only honed my embroidery skills but also improved my focus and efficiency. This experience has also solidified my future career path.” @rui7rebecca @jenniferclairofficial #jenniferclair #hautecoutureembroidery #couturetextile #textileplacement_bcu #bcu_classof27

🎉 TEX6124 Final L6 Hand-In! A huge congratulations to our final year students for completing their last module today. Now, the fun really begins as we start showcasing and celebrating all of your beautiful and hard work! 🔜 Next Up: Inspired Festival 2026 BCU Graduate Showcase, Parkside Building, 9-27 June #bcu_classof26

💼 L6 Industry Portfolio Review Day Our final-year students are now on the final week before their final submission and to help them prepare for their Next Steps we welcomed some incredible industry guests who provided invaluable portfolio feedback and career support. A HUGE thank you to our fabulous guests who made the time to come and visit, helping to make it such an invaluable day for our students: Rosie Gee @rosiegee_embroidery Leonie Edmead @leonie.textiles John Hall @johnhallpainting @aboutpatternstudio

Excited to launch our collaboration with award winning @relovedbrum Birmingham Hospice in Harborne with @by.elle.macmillan and @ceramicpatchwork . Our first year students are looking forward to transforming a range of garments for #menditmay to show how clothing can become unique and treasured statements through craft, inspiring the public to experiment with customisation and repair. #sustainabledesign #textileart #textileactivism

Last week 10 textile designs created by second year students were selected in our exciting @nationaltrust collaboration with @ntbacktobacks and Birmingham’s #Southside District. Inspired by the vibrant community and rich heritage of the area, we can’t wait to see the garments our @bcu_fashion students will be inspired to make from them! Exhibition plans are taking shape #watchthisspace #NationalTrust #newheritage #textiledesign

@textilesbcu is proud to present ReThread The Loom at @parkside.gallery ! The exhibition is a chance to reflect on the diverse creative outcomes and working processes of Weavers, Chantelle Folarin, Gugan Gill, Mahawa Keita, Clare Langford, Andrée Walker and Theo Wright, who undertook micro-residencies in @ikongallery as part of the hugely popular #ThreadTheLoom exhibition last year. This collaboration with @mybcu was the second in IKON’s trilogy of exhibitions inviting visitors to observe, engage with and participate in traditional and contemporary art and craft practices, championing valuable specialist workshop provision and expertise that exists within regional creative educational institutions. The work in Parkside Gallery is evidence of woven textiles as a rich expressive language, drawing on tradition to explore contemporary themes. Combining the tradition of hand weaving and computer-aided design, the Dobby loom will be activated by BCU Artists in Residents and Textile Design academics over the next four weeks, providing visitors with a rare opportunity to see the process and outcomes of woven textile construction up close. Thank you to @plus.elements for starting the new programme of public weaving during our busy Offer Holder Day on Saturday - and great to meet the next generation of textile designers - full of ideas and enthusiasm! Artists Andree Walker @awlwovens Chantelle Folarin @plus.elements Clare Langford Gugan Gill @gugan.gill Mahawa Keita @mansading_designs Theo Wright @theweavingman Photography @ceramicpatchwork

🗽Postcards From New York We had an excellent week in New York as part of our joint Department trip with English and Media! From manufacturing tours to connecting with creative students at FIT - the trip celebrated collaboration, craft and fresh inspiration. Lots of learning, new ideas and a little snowy sightseeing in between!

Today we visited @anstey_wallpaper_company - the largest manufacturer of wallpaper in Europe! So interesting to see how designs are developed using different processes and substrates, and the variety of skills and expertise needed to create their luxury product. Great insights for our first year students who are learning about pattern composition, our second year students who are developing entrepreneurial ideas for the @nationaltrust and third year students working on their graduate collections -great to have MA students along too! #industryinsights #wallpaperdesign #anstey #printedpattern

This week we welcomed @hannynewton for a metal thread embroidery and straw-work masterclass -a fantastic day focusing on craftsmanship and showing the value of curiosity-driven making and research. Great insights into material transformation and the wealth of possibilities that come from focusing in and exploring permutations… Thankyou! #designfuturesseries @ceramicpatchwork @sianrileystudio @carolineraybould #craftsmanship #embroidery ##bespokedesign strawworkcouching

🇫🇷 Birmingham Textiles in Europe with BALSAN Following on from the fantastic Dare Your Dreams No.13 Live Brief we ran last year with BALSAN - we were delighted to see the overall winner, Holly Trevis, recently travel to Paris as part of her prize. The trip offered a unique opportunity to experience the professional design world first-hand, including introductions at the Paris showroom, mood board development workshops, design presentations, a behind-the-scenes visit to the BALSAN factory, and some special sightseeing with an evening cruise on the Seine. Experiences like this are invaluable in helping our students connect their university experience with the realities of industry, building confidence, professional insight, and creative ambition along the way. We’re incredibly proud to see our students engaging with international partners and making the most of these opportunities. 🙏 A huge thank you once again to the BALSAN team for providing such a generous and inspiring experience, and for continuing to support our students in developing their professional journeys. @balsan_uk @matthall_uk @balsanuk_lien @h_g_agency @joasiawood 👏 And finally, congratulations again to Holly! @_holstextiles