As you must know by now, Black History Month is an annual celebration of the accomplishments of black individuals in various fields.
Since 1976, when President Gerald Ford officially recognised Black History Month, each October has become the time to publicly acknowledge the contributions and legacy of black people to society. At Cherchez La Femme, we want to take this opportunity to highlight the numerous black individuals who have made a magnificent appearance in this season’s London Fashion Week SS24.
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Ahluwalia’s Spring/Summer 2024 collection paid homage to the designer’s African heritage and her London roots. The brand experiments with sustainability by applying various techniques to vintage and surplus clothing.
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Feben’s Spring/Summer 2024 collection, titled "Temple", celebrated femininity and the body as a home that the clothing protects. The designer, Feben Vemmenby, draws inspiration from her multicultural background to offer a fresh perspective on fashion. Her collections and campaigns are vibrant and moody.
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Labrum London's latest collection, "Nomoli Odyssey", was inspired by the designer’s home country, Sierra Leone. The brand combines West African and British culture to create innovative collections with a utilitarian approach.
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Abigail Ajobi’s presentation celebrated Nigerian youth culture and old-school Nollywood films with her latest collection, "Anti-Muse". The brand aims to make streetwear sustainable by using deadstock fabrics and donating a portion of the profits to charities. Each collection has a theme and print-based designs that highlight uncomfortable issues.
Maximilian, the brainchild of founder Maximilian Davis, made a splash at London Fashion Week with its second Fashion East runway show appearance. The previous collection boasted a vibrant colour palette inspired by Davis' Caribbean heritage, featuring new iterations of his signature Harlequin print. This season, Davis took inspiration from his childhood, drawing on his experience with Catholic school uniforms and religion. The new collection, "Drayton," showcases a blend of pastels and darker tones.
Nicholas Daley, a Central Saint Martins alumnus, launched his eponymous label in 2015. His menswear designs have received recognition and awards from LVMH, GQ, and the British Fashion Council. Daley incorporates details that reflect his Jamaican and Scottish heritage, and works with local artisans in the UK and Japan to create innovative textiles and fabric finishes. His latest AW22 collection, "Dark Haze," continues the energy, aesthetic, and attitude of Black rock, punk, and funk. The collection features bold prints and patterns, as well as stage-worthy menswear.
These are just a few of the NEWGEN black designers taking over the London Fashion sphere. Black History Month for us is not just about the present designers though, but the past ones too. The contributions of black designers to the UK fashion scene cannot be overlooked. From Bruce Oldfield and Ozwald Boateng to Walé Adeyemi, these trailblazers have redefined British style over the past 50 years.
While the likes of Grace Wales Bonner, Martine Rose, and Bianca Saunders have become household names in fashion in recent years, Somerset House's new exhibition "The Missing Thread: Untold Stories of Black British Fashion" aims to recognise generations of artistic talent whose contributions have gone unrecognised over the years. The exhibit explores the legacy of black diasporic designers and artisans from the 1970s to the present day and we can highly recommend it a visit for this month’s celebrations!
[Info sourced on essence.com and theguardian.com
Featured image sourced on canva.com]