News Highlights

Barbara Hulanicki with School of Textiles and Design students. (click to enlarge)

International designers visit the Scottish Borders Campus

Style icon Barbara Hulanicki and international fashion designer Mark Eley were honoured guests at the School of Textiles and Design this week.

Barbara Hulanicki is known for introducing Biba to the UK and creating the ultimate fashion explosion of the 1960s. She is a now a highly regarded interior designer and is currently designing new collections for Top Shop.

She visited the School of Textiles and Design for a screening of ‘Beyond Biba’, a film released this month which focuses on her early challenges and how she became the legend that she is today.

Her visit has received wide coverage on BBC Radio's South of Scotland news. An extensive interview with Barbara herself was broadcast throughout the day and evening. Fashion Course Director Mark Timmons also played an extensive part in the report at the University along with interviews from students attending the film showing.

Barbara commented on the outstanding reputation the School of Textiles and Design has throughout the world of fashion, “The facilities are amazing. You can really feel the energy in the studios. It’s like a Willie Wonka’s factory for fashion!”

Following the screening, students and staff were treated to an exclusive ‘In Conversation’ with Mark Eley, one half of the Eley Kishimoto design duo, respected throughout the fashion world for their signature prints and quirky collections. Mark is currently collaborating on a student project.

Mark Timmins said, “Barbara has made an outstanding contribution to the fashion world and we were doubly honoured to have hosted an event with two such inspirational and original designers!”

For further information please contact:
Fiona Duff at the School of Textile and Design on f.duff@hw.ac.uk