University of Lancashire celebrates 35 years of fashion promotion degree

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.

Eve Astley, course leader, 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.” 

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.

 Mark Hardy said: "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."

 “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.”

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.