Models in Birmingham will be swapping the catwalk for the concourse this weekend, as they strut their stuff in a unique fashion show taking place at Birmingham New Street station.
18 professional models from Supa Agency and Wild Agency will be wearing 12 collections designed by Fashion Design graduates from Birmingham City University on Saturday 14 October. Walking along a specially-made runway, the show will take place under the station’s main departure boards within the building’s domed atrium.
The catwalk extravaganza has been organised to coincide with Birmingham City University’s Open Day, which will be welcoming prospective undergraduate students to both its City Centre Campus – just a short walk from the railway station – and City South Campus in the Edgbaston suburb.
Sara Middleton, Associate Dean, Faculty of Arts, Design and Media, Birmingham City University, said:
“Many of the thousands of visitors coming to our Open Day will be arriving by train at Birmingham New Street station, so the catwalk will provide a unique gateway to their wider visit and, for other travellers, it will showcase Birmingham as a culturally rich destination that provides a stage for creativity.
“There is nothing more exciting than the spectacle of a live fashion show and we are delighted to be partnering with Network Rail for this unmissable display that will be the talk of the town for weeks to come.”
The collections on show originally made their debut during Graduate Fashion Week in June this year and include designs by emerging creative talent such as Elisha Bharaji, who will transport onlookers into the future of high-end fashion with her space age garments.
Meanwhile, Monika Jauneikaite takes knitwear to new heights with her striking collection of wool and cropped trousers, and, combining bright orange wool and pinstripes, Georgina Jenkins’ avant-garde business-wear brings new dimensions to the office wardrobe.
Birmingham City University alumnua, Georgina Jenkins, said:
“I had a really good response to my collection after Graduate Fashion Week, with lots of industry people contacting me regarding photoshoots and to find out more about my work. I was inspired by three artists – Yayoi Kusama, Choi Xooang and Gunther von Hagen – and was particularly fascinated with anatomical preservation. I created a tailored collection greatly influenced by von Hagen’s muscle preservation, for example.
“Moving forward, the Birmingham New Street station catwalk is a fantastic opportunity for me to showcase my designs, allowing me to further develop industry contacts and relationships, especially as I am currently looking for internships and additional experience to develop my fashion practice.”
The New Street catwalk show is being produced by Birmingham City University alumnus Lee Lapthorne, who has previously worked as a creative director for fashion brands such as Calvin Klein, Gucci and Ted Baker. Birmingham-based Cloud One are responsible for the event’s sound and light installations.
Lee Lapthorne said:
“I am delighted to be working with Birmingham City University to showcase their very best of fashion design in the magnificent atrium at Birmingham New Street station. The show will be an amazing opportunity for the public to see an electric mix and diverse designs in the heart of the city of Birmingham.”
Following a major redevelopment which opened in September 2015, Birmingham New Street station has been transformed into a major transport and shopping hub. Welcoming 140,000 passengers daily, its new concourse is now three and a half times bigger than before. This space is enclosed by a giant glass-roofed atrium, allowing natural light to brighten the entire area, including all 12 refurbished platforms.
Everyone is welcome to come and experience the Birmingham City University fashion show at Birmingham New Street station for free on Saturday 14 October, with performances taking place at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm.