Sian Riley

Sian is a fashion design lecturer and designer working primarily in the Midlands, after spending many years working in London as both a tutor and fashion designer. After gaining a Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design Technology: Womenswear from the London College of Fashion, Sian then completed a Master’s degree in Fashion Design and a PGCE in Post-Compulsory Education at Birmingham City University. Sian also became a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy in 2020.

Prior to their work in education, Sian worked for a large number of fashion designers and brands such as Amanda Wakeley, Bruce Oldfield, Betty Jackson, Designers at Debenhams (J by Jasper Conran, John Rocha and Red Herring), Jenny Packham, Dorothy Perkins, PAPER London and Be Here & Love. Sian continues to work in the industry on occasion and impart this knowledge to students, as well as developing work for their own brand through independent projects and collaborations, like their Eco Sewing and Pattern Cutting Tote Bags which are available to buy on Etsy.

Over the years, Sian's work has been featured in exhibitions, competitions, magazines and blogs (independent digital artwork and Frame 15 Photography Exhibitions; Themes in Bulgakov’s Stories competition winner – winning entry exhibited in the Bulgakov Museum in Kiev; Can U Cut It Competition Regional Winner; The Guardian/ Smudgeflux Competition winner; Advanced Photographers Magazine; Sew Magazine).