LAMDA collaborates with the Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology

Now in its second year, LAMDA’s MA Musical Theatre programme takes an exciting step forward with a new international collaboration alongside the Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology (BIFT).  

Following last year’s critically acclaimed production of Into The Woods, this year’s cohort takes on the witty and heartwarming The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. The show had its London run at LAMDA in June, with a 3-week Edinburgh Festival Fringe run taking place in August.   

We are thrilled to announce that our 2025 musical project is in partnership and design collaboration with BIFT, who have created and produced the six Spelling Bee contest costumes for the production. Collaborating on international projects like this highlights the importance of bringing together the world's leading creative talent to support and enrich student opportunities. 

BIFT was founded in 1959 as the first publicly funded fashion university in China and is now a high-level specialised university in Beijing. Guided by the philosophy of "companionship with aesthetics" and its identity of "art-oriented, fashion-led, integration of art and technology," BIFT brings a unique vision to this collaboration – one that aligns with LAMDA’s own creative ambitions. 

BIFT has nine schools and multiple majors that cover the entire fashion industry chain, with over 7,200 students. The fashion institute also has extensive international cooperation, establishing ties with over 40 world-renowned universities.  

Their graduates are employed by renowned fashion companies, design studios, and international fashion brands in mainland China, with some going on to study further in different countries, primarily in fashion and design. As a leading institution in Chinese fashion education, BIFT is committed to nurturing innovative talent with an international outlook. 

Speaking with BIFT, they said of the partnership:  

"BIFT has established a partnership with the world-renowned London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), based on a shared vision and long-standing collaboration in the field of arts education. The cooperation programme aims to provide students with an international platform for study, exchange and practice, and to promote collaboration and creativity between Chinese and British universities in related professional fields. Through this cooperation, BIFT students will have access to world-class teaching resources and will participate in performance projects on international stages, such as the London and Edinburgh festivals, for practical training. This will greatly enrich students' professional vision and practical experience. This mode of transnational cooperation reflects both parties' shared goal of promoting the internationalization of art education and cultivating globally competitive artistic talent. "

Li Zhiqian from the BIFT Faculty shared:  

"Thank you so much to BIFT and LAMDA for giving my students and me the opportunity to collaborate on the costume design for the musical. Spelling Bee is an interesting manuscript, and we had a great time designing the characters' childhood costumes. We are also delighted that the faculty and students of LAMDA liked our designs, and we look forward to our next collaboration!"

On Thursday 12 June, LAMDA was delighted to welcome delegates from BIFT on the opening night of Spelling Bee where they saw their wonderful costumes during a rehearsal. It was a brilliant opportunity for both organisations to see the culmination of the partnership.  

LAMDA’s Principal and CEO, Professor Mark O’Thomas, said:  

"This partnership exemplifies the power of creative collaboration. It not only brings together diverse artistic practices, but also provides students with real-world, international experience that deepens their professional development. We’re proud to work alongside BIFT and look forward to future projects that challenge and inspire both institutions."​​​​​​

The experience was incredibly enriching for both BIFT and LAMDA students. Performers Neelam Patel and Issey Dodd, who both took part in the show, described it as:   

"It was such a joy to wear the incredibly detailed, curated, and high-quality costumes made by BIFT! The Marcy costume in particular truly embodied the American Catholic school experience and completed the character as such. Especially with a neutral-coloured set, the kids’ brightly coloured tones popped throughout the show and showcased each child’s journey and personality!" - Neelam Patel 

"I absolutely loved how the costumes designed by BIFT brought a new life to all the characters. Our first full dress rehearsal was so special as we enriched the world we'd built with new colours and textures that were so specific to each character. All the designers did a fantastic job and I loved seeing how each individual character quirk was shown through the costumes." - Issey Dodd 

The BIFT students also found the collaboration immensely rewarding, reflecting: 

"The costume design for Spelling Bee is a marvellous journey full of childish innocence and creativity! Seeing the characters brought to life in the garments I designed made me feel as though I had rediscovered the pure joy of my childhood. I am grateful to have met such a warm team." - He Xiaoshan 

"This time, my goal is to design a costume that is both sophisticated and simple, and comfortable yet still has personality. Thanks to the school's support, this idea has become a reality." - Zhou Tianyu 

"I am honoured to have been involved in creating the Spelling Bee costumes, which was a fascinating experience. Thank you to the team for your trust and support. Seeing the perfect presentation of our carefully designed costumes on stage, and being recognised for our efforts, made all the hard work worthwhile. We look forward to continuing to work together to create more stage art masterpieces in the future." - Zhang Hao 

As we prepare to take Spelling Bee to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the world’s largest arts festival, we’re excited that the hard work of both BIFT and LAMDA students will have the opportunity to be showcased on a major stage. 

This collaboration has been a celebration of creativity, talent, and international exchange, and we look forward to growing this partnership in the years to come.