University News Last updated 10 February
Birmingham City University (BCU) and Brindleyplace have confirmed that they will once again team up to host a summer fashion show in Oozells Square.
The dynamic duo has also formed an official partnership to achieve the objectives of promoting Birmingham, showcasing local industry, highlighting the University’s academic expertise, and providing development opportunities for students.
“The fashion show highlighted the value of working together to raise Birmingham’s profile and provide opportunities for our local businesses and creative industries,” said Professor Harris Beider, BCU’s Pro Vice-Chancellor for Engagement, Enterprise and Innovation.
“As a result, we’ve formalised our partnership because we feel we can do more.”
The fashion show proved a huge hit last summer, with BCU students parading their designs against a stunning backdrop of historic and award-winning buildings in the heart of the city, including the Ikon Gallery and X Brindleyplace.
Each of the 36 pieces was paired with intricate creations from BCU’s prestigious School of Jewellery, demonstrating the University’s commitment to the creative industries.
Matt Long, Senior Asset Manager for Praxis at Brindleyplace, said it made perfect sense to partner with BCU to explore joint opportunities, especially around urban regeneration.
“Brindleyplace has stood the test of time and remains a fine example of mixed-use development, but this year will see the start of several regeneration projects and major investment in our buildings,” he said.
“It is the ideal time for us to cement our relationship with a best-in-class university offering urban regeneration courses locally.”
He added: “Brindleyplace prides itself on offering a variety of placemaking activities for our tenants and public - and we look forward to BCU’s involvement in many of these.”
The primary objectives of the partnership will focus on four main areas:
- Activations and events, which include student fashion shows;
- Educational courses linked to Brindleyplace, focusing on such subjects as urban regeneration and the built environment;
- Occupier engagement to include mentoring and sponsorship opportunities for BCU students;
- And a programme for schools that allows both Brindleyplace and BCU to share its knowledge and expertise with pupils from across the West Midlands.
Professor Beider added: “Working with Brindleyplace will allow us to not only help shape the city’s future but also enable the University to achieve its goal to power prosperity in the region.
“Our 2030 strategy document - Rooted in Birmingham, Reaching Beyond - sets out our vision to be an exemplar anchor institution as well as our mission to create and share knowledge for a better and more inclusive society.”
Pro Vice-Chancellor Harris Beider is pictured alongside Lee Lapthorne, Head of College for Jewellery, Fashion and Textiles at BCU (left), and Matt Long (centre).