Sian Riley

Sian studied her Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design Technology: Womenswear from the London College of Fashion, before completing her Master’s degree in Fashion Design and a PGCE in Post-Compulsory Education at Birmingham City University.

Prior to her work in education, Sian worked in the fashion industry for a large number of fashion designers and brands such as Amanda Wakeley, Bruce Oldfield, Betty Jackson, Debenhams, Arcadia, Jenny Packham, PAPER London and Be Here & Love. She continues to work in the industry and impart her knowledge to students as well as developing independent projects and collaborations.

She began teaching fashion design and pattern cutting in 2013 at both higher, further and vocational education levels in a number of institutions. She joined BCU as a VT on the Master’s program in 2015, before moving to the BA Fashion Design program in a full time design lecturer position in 2018, and became the Level 4 Co-ordinator in 2019.

Over the years, her work and knowledge has been featured in exhibitions, competitions, magazines and blogs (independent digital artwork and Frame 15 Photography Exhibitions; Themes in Bulgakov’s Stories competition winner – winning entry exhibited in the Bulgakov Museum in Kiev; Can U Cut It Competition Regional Winner; The Guardian/ Smudgeflux Competition winner; Advanced Photographers Magazine; Sew Magazine).

As well as teaching academically, she also continues to teach sewing and pattern cutting short courses at MAC Birmingham and at The Sewing Cafe in Hinckley.