The University of Lancashire is celebrating 35 years of its fashion promotion degree with a special exhibition showcasing the course, its successful graduates and ever-changing trends.
The fashion industry has undergone a seismic transformation over the last three decades as it shifted from analogue to digital and pen and paper, mood boards and magazine cuts outs were replaced with internet research, digital design and influencer-driven trends.
Believed to be the first of its kind in the country, the University of Lancashire’s BA (Hons) Fashion Promotion degree has seen it all. In an exhibition charting the course from 1990 to the present day, it is showcasing some forgotten gems produced by graduates over the years.
We’ve found amazing mood boards with detailed sketches, negatives from photo shoots and handmade magazines. We even came across one with a photo of Jason Statham on the front cover that was taken long before he became famous and was done as a favour to a student.– Current course leader Eve Astle
Course leader Eve Astle, who herself graduated from the course in 2003, said: “It has been a pleasure working alongside the students as they uncovered stories from our graduates’ time on the course and what they are doing now. Even more so, it has exposed the breadth of industry roles available.
“We’ve found amazing mood boards with detailed sketches, negatives from photo shoots and handmade magazines. We even came across one with a photo of Jason Statham on the front cover that was taken long before he became famous and was done as a favour to a student!
“Reconnecting with so many wonderful alumni and unearthing projects that have come to life through various mediums has also really captured how much the promotion industry has changed over the last 35 years.”
The fashion promotion course provided me with the confidence to move to London after I graduated and to build my 30-year career within brand marketing and creating and managing a number of successful brands.– graduate and brand marketing expert Mark Hardy
The exhibition is also shining a spotlight on some of its notable alumni, including the man who created Adidas’ famous Spezial collection, University Honorary Fellow Gary Aspden who graduated in 1998, brand marketing expert Mark Hardy who was responsible for the global launch of One Direction, and Paul Jopling, a multi-channel designer who has worked for a number of well-known fashion and lifestyle brands.
“The fashion promotion course provided me with the confidence to move to London after I graduated and to build my 30-year career within brand marketing and creating and managing a number of successful brands,” said Mark Hardy.
“A lot has changed in the fashion industry,” said Gary Aspden. “The rise of the internet and social media impacted the way people shop. It has also changed the role that fashion magazines play and in turn those involved in fashion advertising. I have always been proud of the fact that my foundations are from a Lancashire University.”
The course was very well structured and I came into my own during my gap year. I worked really hard, networked, gained confidence and found my flair for styling, fashion, shoots and brand management.– graduate Anne Stringer who's had a successful career in both the UK and Australia
Paul Jopling commented: “I am super proud to be a part of the University’s legacy, especially with it now getting its recognition as number 1 in the UK for fashion and textiles. Not everything happens in London and there is so much talent in the North!”
Anne Stringer, who has spent the last 20 years living in Australia styling celebrities for tv shows following a successful UK career working in fashion, said: “The fashion marketing and promotion course was one of a kind when it began.
“The course was very well structured and I came into my own during my gap year. I worked really hard, networked, gained confidence and found my flair for styling, fashion, shoots and brand management.
”My favourite project was my final project, a men’s fashion accessory magazine caked ‘Fashion Accessorize.’ The front cover is Jason Statham, which was published as an insert within another magazine.”
Ruth Hardman-Howard, the original fashion promotion course leader, came to the opening of the exhibition.
It [the fashion promotion degree] gave applicants with an interest in fashion, but not wanting to design and make clothes, an alternative whilst studying and working within a fashion context.– Ruth Hardman-Howard, original fashion promotion course leader
She said: “The fashion promotion course was the first of its kind in the country, particularly because of the year out in industry. It gave applicants with an interest in fashion, but not wanting to design and make clothes, an alternative whilst studying and working within a fashion context.
“Early years of the course meant students used 'cut and stick' photocopying and basic computer skills to design and create their work. With the introduction and advancement of creative software, computer skills had to be addressed. Marketing and promotion strategies, photography, graphics, exhibition and trend forecasting were introduced along with new fashion related placements.
“I am immensely proud of the students' and graduates' achievements and particularly those graduates who still support the course by returning to give talks, workshops and placements.”
Niamh Frith is one of the final year fashion promotion students behind the project. She said: “I feel incredibly privileged to be a part of this amazing exhibition curation and the opportunities it has opened up to us as a class to gain an insight into the incredible achievements our course alumni have accomplished.”
EXPOSE - Celebrating 35 Years of Fashion Promotion! Is open until Thursday 11 December in the PR1 Gallery, Victoria Building, on the University’s Preston Campus.
For more information contact Eve Astle or Mia Allonby.
