IN LINE WITH INDUSTRY INITIATIVES TO TRAIN MORE YOUNG DESIGNERS IN FOUNDATIONAL LEATHER SKILLS, LAUREN HEADS UP THE BESPOKE LEATHER COURSES AT BIRMINGHAM CITY UNIVERSITY ALONGSIDE LEATHER CRAFTSMAN AND LEADING INDUSTRY VOICE YUSUF OSMAN. 

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THE INAUGURAL COURSE RAN FROM MARCH-JUNE 2025 AND SAW 10 SELECTED STUDENTS GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ACROSS LEATHER TECHNOLOGY, TRADITIONAL APPLICATION AND SADDLERY BASED SKILLS, CONTEMPORARY PRACTICE AND BESPOKE EUROPEAN STYLE LUXURY LEATHERWORK, 

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THIS YEAR, STUDENTS WERE CHALLENGED TO RESPOND TO THE BRIEF OF 'THE NEW HERITAGE', BY DESIGNING A GARMENT OR ACCESSORY INSPIRED BY THEIR PERSONAL INTERPRETATION OF HERITAGE. OVER THE COURSE OF THE PROGRAMME, STUDENTS WERE SUPPORTED IN PRODUCING THEIR OUTCOMES THROUGH INTERACTIVE WORKSHOPS AND ONE-TO-ONE MENTORING, ALONGSIDE RESEARCH TRIPS TO LEATHER MUSEUM WALSALL AND THROUGH THE ANNUAL BCU LEATHER SYMPOSIUM. 

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THE PROGRAMME WILL RUN YEARLY, WITH NEW WORKSHOPS IN THE WORKS FOR THE A/W 25/26 RUN. STUDENT WORK FROM THE PROGRAMME HAS BEEN DEBUTED AT NEW DESIGNERS 2025 AND WILL BE SHOWCASED AT LONDON FASHION WEEK IN SEPTEMBER.