Vision

“Fashions fade, style is eternal”¹

Fashion. Clothing. Style. What we wear and how we wear it are important signifiers and expressions of our identity, character, culture, heritage, beliefs, community, individuality and sense of time or place. More than any other creative sector, the fashion industry has always looked to the past to inform the present and forge the future.

In the past, designers such as Dolce and Gabbana, Yves Saint Laurent and Jean Paul Gaultier have all drawn inspiration from Africa and the Caribbean to influence their collections. In Europe, the 2005 Paris Fashion Week has been leading the way with African-inspired designs, prints, accessories and detailing leaving an indelible imprint on the season. Although these illustrate recent design trend developments in the industry, the significant contribution being made by African and Caribbean culture, communities and designers is not new. A recent exhibition at the Victorian and Albert Museum, ‘Black British Style’, provided an overview of how black communities have reshaped the visual landscape of Britain over the last 50 years².

As the newest addition to London’s dynamic fashion industry calendar, KULTURE2COUTURE is a unique and high profile platform for acknowledging, showcasing and promoting black British designers as the originators and innovators of culturally significant and stylish trends.

Inspirational and breathtaking fashion shows, a high profile launch event, a trade fair/marketplace, industry workshops and masterclasses led by renowned industry experts will form the key components of KULTURE2COUTURE.

¹ Yves Saint Laurent
² ‘Black British Style’, Victoria and Albert Museum, 07 October 2004 – 15 January 2005.