Burberry announces partnership with Leeds Beckett University to support young fashion talent

Burberry today announces a formal partnership with Leeds Beckett University and their BA (Hons) Fashion Design course, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to nurturing emerging talent and supporting the future of British design.

Building on the success of a pilot programme launched in 2024, the partnership formalises a growing relationship between Burberry and Leeds Beckett University, creating new opportunities for students to gain industry insight and develop the skills needed to thrive in the creative sector.

The partnership is rooted in a shared connection to Yorkshire, bringing together Leeds Beckett University’s expertise in developing emerging creative talent with Burberry’s heritage of craftsmanship and innovation. It also reflects Burberry’s longstanding presence in the region, including its Leeds office and manufacturing sites in Castleford and Keighley.

As part of LBU’s flagship tailoring project, second-year students undertook a live industry brief,Reinventing the Trench: A Study in Craft and Form, challenging them to redesign and construct the Burberry trench coat using surplus gabardine - the pioneering fabric invented by Thomas Burberry in 1879. The project followed Burberry’s landmark ‘The Trench, Portraits of an Icon’ campaign, marking the brand’s 170th anniversary and celebrating the trench coat as a beloved signature style that has long bridged function and fashion.

In February, these students presented their trench coat designs at Burberry’s Castleford manufacturing site. The designs were judged by Burberry colleagues, with the Judges’ Choice award presented to Juliet Skaife for The Jetty Trench, a reimagining of the Burberry Heritage trench coat inspired by the iconic silhouettes of the 1970s. The People’s Choice award was given to Riyna Khan for The ReVe Brontë Trench, an exploration of 19^th-century women’s fashion centred around the Brontë sisters. Both winners will undertake work experience at Burberry’s Castleford site, gaining hands-on insight into the design and production process behind the British house’s iconic Heritage trench.

For final year students, the partnership evolves into professional guidance and mentorship on their graduate collections, helping to refine both their creative and professional practice. In May, students’ final garments and portfolios were judged by colleagues from Burberry’s manufacturing teams and showcased at Leeds Beckett University’s City Campus Fashion Studio. Exceptional work was recognised through the Burberry Award, presented to April Charlesworth, which included an embroidered gabardine certificate and a paid internship at Burberry’s Castleford manufacturing site.

Alexandra McCauley, Chief People Officer at Burberry says: “Yorkshire has long been an important part of Burberry’s story, and we are proud to support the next generation of creative talent in the region. Through our partnership with Leeds Beckett University, we are creating opportunities for emerging designers to develop their skills, gain industry experience and build meaningful connections with the luxury fashion industry. By investing in local talent today, we are helping to strengthen the future of British craftsmanship, manufacturing and creativity for years to come.”

Sam Hudson-Miles, Course Director for BA (Hons) Fashion Design at Leeds Beckett University, says: “This partnership gives our students a unique opportunity to engage directly with one of Britain's most iconic luxury brands, combining creative exploration with valuable industry experience. By responding to a live brief inspired by the Burberry trench coat, students are challenged to develop their own design voice while gaining insight into the craftsmanship, heritage and innovation that underpin the fashion industry. Experiences like this play an important role in preparing the next generation of creative talent for their future careers.”