Student's dresses get star treatment at awards

From the university classroom to the red carpet - a Birmingham fashion student's designs have been donned by the stars at a national awards event.

Final year student Rohan Scott said "words can't describe the excitement" after his dresses were worn by Strictly Come Dancing professional Lauren Oakley and singer-songwriter Elle Exxe at the Pride of Britain Awards.

The 22-year-old student from Birmingham City University (BCU) created the eye-catching outfits as part of a collection during his second year of study.

He described working with the pair as a "wholesome experience", adding that they were both "warm, welcoming and down to earth".

Rohan said: "I feel an immense feeling of gratitude that I've been considered in this way by someone outside of the classroom.

"Having this large exposure is exciting and terrifying at the same time, and it's an experience that I'll be eternally grateful for."

The red-carpet moment came at the awards ceremony on Monday after both women were impressed by the university's emerging designers at previous fashion events.

Professional dancer Oakley, who grew up in Birmingham, hosted BCU's annual graduate fashion show, 1000 Threads, earlier this year. She said she wanted to use her platform on Strictly Come Dancing to showcase local talent on a national stage.

"Growing up in Birmingham myself, you're quite aware that creatively a lot of things happen in London, so taking the opportunity to use my platform to help someone local in the creative industry was really important to me," she said.

Oakley added that all four dresses Scott brought for her to try on were "stunning".

Meanwhile, Elle Exxe discovered the university's designers at BCU's 2026 London Fashion Week showcase at Somerset House.

She praised Scott for making her feel calm and confident during a fitting and said his warmth and talent were a rare combination.

"Judging by the reaction I got from the attendees last night, Rohan's going to have superstars falling over themselves to wear his designs on the red carpet," she added.

The success was welcomed by BCU's fashion department. Course leader and senior lecturer Dean Fallon said the opportunity was testament to Scott's skill and drive.

His work, Fallon added, already showed "a strong sense of identity and positioning".

For Scott, two red-carpet appearances at one of Britain's best-known awards ceremonies offered a glimpse of what could lie ahead and a rather glamorous addition to his student portfolio.

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