In the city of a thousand trades, Birmingham City University’s open air fashion event, 1000 Threads is back on Thursday 18 June. Free to attend, the annual outdoor catwalk event will take over Central Square, Brindleyplace, Birmingham.

Hosted by Strictly Come Dancing’s Lauren Oakley expect world-class talent from BCU’s School of Arts showcasing the next generation of designers and makers.

The catwalk will feature 11 industry panel selected collections from Fashion and Jewellery graduates with themes of international connectivity, heritage and archiving.

Following the catwalk show, audiences can visit the School of Arts incredible exhibition of Art, Fashion, Jewellery, Media, Design and Textiles at X10, which will be open until 9pm on 18 June, the exhibition continues at X10 until 1 July 2026.

On the 1000 Threads catwalk BA Fashion graduates will present collections influenced by diverse sources including the artist Grayson Perry, Jamaican and Bangladesh heritage and textiles such as English wool and delicate lace.

From the MA Fashion and Textiles, the catwalk features a collection created in response to an increasingly digital and AI-driven world which is centred around creating artefacts while challenging fast cycles of consumption and design.

Each graduate presenting on the catwalk were chosen following a series of presentations to a panel of industry experts and academics. In addition, all graduating Fashion and Textiles students are showing their work as part of BCU’s Inspired Festival at the Parkside building, with opportunities to view their work until 27 June.

1000 Threads is delivered in partnership with Brindleyplace with sponsorship from Bank Restaurant and the Ikon Gallery.

1000 Threads catwalk collections will be worn by models from over 10 London agencies, hair by L’Oreal Professionnel and make up by The Central School of Make Up.

1000 Threads is FREE to attend on Thursday 18 June at 6.30pm, expect standing room only in Central Square, Brindleyplace. Invited guests can also head to the official after party at IKON Gallery for a School of Art takeover, with live student performances accompanied by Babz on Crack and Anat Ben David, DJs from Selectahood and drag queens.

The exhibition at X10 is open till 9pm on 18 June but is open daily to the public until 1 July 2026. this exhibition highlights live industry and community-based collaborations alongside the achievements and accolades of BCU’s 2026 graduates and alumni. The exhibition offers visitors a unique insight into the processes, ideas, and innovations of a new generation of creatives.

Find out what’s on where via bcu.ac.uk