LONDON – Northumbria University celebrated 70 years of fashion education with a special presentation at Graduate Runway Show 2026, combining a retrospective of its rich design heritage with the debut of its latest graduating designers on the runway. The showcase highlighted the university’s legacy of producing internationally recognised fashion talent while introducing a new generation of creative graduates to the industry.
Established in September 1955, Fashion at Northumbria has built an international reputation for producing innovative, industry-ready graduates through a hands-on curriculum that blends creative experimentation with technical excellence. The programme works closely with experienced lecturers, pattern cutters, technicians and digital specialists to prepare students for careers across the global fashion industry.
The university used the 2026 Graduate Runway Show to celebrate the achievements of its alumni, many of whom have gone on to work with world-renowned fashion houses and luxury brands including Lacoste, Ralph Lauren, Coach, Simone Rocha, Tom Ford, Dries Van Noten, Paul Smith, Belstaff, Burberry and Bottega Veneta.
Northumbria also highlighted its three flagship undergraduate fashion programmes:
- BA (Hons) Fashion, focusing on innovative design, pattern cutting, knitwear, printed textiles and responsible fashion practice.
- BA (Hons) Fashion Communication, preparing students for careers in fashion media, editorial, photography, branding, film and digital storytelling.
- BA (Hons) Fashion Design & Marketing, combining creative design with branding, market research, trend forecasting and commercial strategy.
During the Graduate Runway Show, audiences experienced both a celebration of Northumbria’s fashion history and a showcase of contemporary graduate collections. According to reports from the event, the presentation featured archive pieces spanning several decades before transitioning to the work of the Class of 2026, demonstrating how the university’s design education has evolved while maintaining its commitment to innovation and craftsmanship.
The anniversary showcase reinforced Northumbria University’s position as one of the UK’s leading fashion institutions, with graduates continuing to make their mark across luxury fashion, independent labels and global creative industries.