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The BFC is launching a new project that celebrates Black British fashion and culture

Photo credit: Joe Casely-Hayford in 1997 - Getty Images
Photo credit: Joe Casely-Hayford in 1997 - Getty Images

From Harper's BAZAAR

The British Fashion Council's Institute of Positive Fashion has announced its second project, The Missing Thread. Created in partnership with the Black Oriented Legacy Development Agency, it will celebrate Black British fashion and culture from 1975 to today.

The project will run a series of programmed events, culminating in a major exhibition in summer 2022, which will help to reference, educate and present many Black cultural narratives and design contributions that are pivotal foundations within society.

"The fashion industry currently lacks a resource of vital Black British contributions from a cultural, design and socio-political perspective, having erased many important historical narratives," the BFC said in a statement. "The cost of neglecting these stories is detrimental to the industry as a whole. Going forward, design knowledge and history must be taught with an appreciation and awareness of the cultural contributions of all races to the fabric of British society."

The project has been inspired by designer Joe Casely-Hayford and will honour his powerful legacy after he paved the way for Black designers working in the UK today and altered the course of this trajectory.

"The need for far greater accountability in our industry has become increasingly apparent over the last year," BFC CEO Caroline Rush said. "Black fashion contributions are at the core of Britain’s reputation as a creative hub yet continue to be overlooked. We are extremely excited to work with BOLD on this project which aims at restoring and acknowledging cultural contributions to one of the UK’s most creative industries."

This afternoon, the long-term project will kick off with a discussion on Show Studio's Instagram account about Casely-Hayford's career. 'Joe Casely-Hayford: An Icon For Our Times' will dissect the themes of identity, Britishness, heritage and the relationship between street culture and fashion.

To find out more about the project, head this way.

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