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Black History Month 2023

Two Black people lying head to head on the floor. By Safeen James from their collection Animus
Two Black people lying head to head on the floor. By Safeen James from their collection Animus
Two Black people lying head to head on the floor. By Safeen James from their collection Animus

London College of Fashion celebrates Black History Month by sharing our students, staff, alumni and LCF associate's projects, to acknowledge and commemorate Black history and culture, and its impact on fashion and education. The conversation doesn’t end here, we will continue to use this space to listen, learn and act.

Things to do

What's On

Check out what's on around UAL.

Arts SU

Explore events and exhibitions organised by Arts SU.

Illustration of Black influential leaders around the world.
Illustration of Black influential leaders around the world.

10 Black Influencers to Research

Ann Lowe - Fashion Designer

Claudia Jones - Founder of Notting Hill Carnival

Evelyn Dove - First Black singer on BBC Radio

Lynette Yiabom-Boakye - British artist and writer

Margaret Busby - Britain's first Black female publisher

Olaudah Equiano - Best-selling African writer and Abolitionist

Olive Morris - Community Leader - Community Leader and Activist

Ozwald Boateng - Fashion Designer

Vanessa Kingori, MBE. - Chief Business Officer, Condé Nast

Zelda Wynn Valdes -  Fashion Designer

Black Fashion History with Taniqua Martin, Podcast cover image. Taniqua Martin.
Black Fashion History with Taniqua Martin, Podcast cover image. Copyright Taniqua Martin.
New York Times Logo. Copyrighted by The New York Times.
New York Times Logo. Copyrighted by The New York Times.
A black union jack shawl, Madhatter crown hat and Rudie coat designed by London-based art collective Art Comes First displayed at the exhibition titled
A black union jack shawl, Madhatter crown hat and Rudie coat designed by London-based art collective Art Comes First displayed at the exhibition titled "The Missing Thread- Untold Stories of Black British Fashion, (AP Photo/Kin Cheung).
Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design at SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film – Images Courtesy of SCAD FASH MUSEUM OF FASHION + FILM.
Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design at SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film – Images Courtesy of SCAD FASH MUSEUM OF FASHION + FILM.

Listen

Black Fashion History is a fashion podcast, hosted by Taniqua Martin, celebrating the past and present contributions of black people around the world to the luxury fashion industry. It explores the life, work and industry experiences of black designers, educators, curators, costumers, stylists and more.

Read

Since 1851, The New York Times has published thousands of obituaries, capturing the lives and legacies of people who have influenced the world in which we live. The series 'Overlooked' reveals the stories of some of those remarkable people, and in this special edition they highlight prominent black men and women.

Visit

“The Missing Thread: Untold Stories of Black British Fashion” at Somerset House, pays tribute to the influence of Black designers in fashion from the 1970s. But it also spotlights the racism and other barriers they faced in an industry that remains difficult to break into for people of colour. The exhibition will close on 7 January 2024.

Watch

Costume designer Ruth E. Carter takes us through her career in costume design. From her technique and training to working with Spike Lee, Ruth breaks down her work on projects including 'School Daze,' 'B.A.P.S.,' 'Do the Right Thing,' 'Selma,' 'Malcom X,' 'Black Panther,' and 'Coming 2 America.'

A spotlight on LCF Graduates

Explore the UAL Graduate Showcase

A spotlight on Alumni

  • Black Girl Knit Club. Image copyright - Beatrice Newman
    Black Girl Knit Club. Image copyright - Beatrice Newman

    Beatrice Newman  

    Founder of KORLEKIE Ltd a unique womenswear knitwear brand that specialises in Victorian crochet techniques that employs heritage and digital craft techniques with a fresh modern perspective. Check out Beatrice's social project and the Black Girl Knit Club. - MA Fashion, Film and Digital Production | 2010 – 2012

  • Bami ldn bag Micro SB in Lime. Copyright of Bami Ldn.
    Bami ldn bag Micro SB in Lime. Copyright of Bami Ldn.

    Bami Oyefeso  

    Bami Ldn is a story-telling brand with personality, creating limited edition handmade leather accessories in London. - BA (Hons) Cordwainers Fashion Bags and Accessories | 2012 – 2015.

  • Trimingham x Box Park installation. Image by Cherise Trimingham.
    Trimingham x Box Park installation. Image by Cherise Trimingham.

    Cherise Trimingham  

    Trimingham is a modern-day luxury sportswear brand, specialising in creating bespoke ready-to-wear garments. - BA (Hons) Fashion Sportswear | 2015 – 2019.

Resources

  • Arts US African Caribbean Society logo
    Arts US African Caribbean Society logo.

    African Caribbean Society  

    University of the Arts London's African Caribbean Society (UAL:ACS) is a community for those who love to experience enriched African and Caribbean culture.

  • Black London Creatives logo.
    Black London Creatives logo.

    Black London Creatives  

    BLC* (Black London Creatives) is a project that showcases the black creative diaspora across London.

  • Arts SU People of Colour society logo.
    Arts SU People of Colour society logo.

    POC LGBTQ+ Society  

    A collective of queer creatives of colour that aim to create a safe space and environment for other queer People of Colour to make friends and connect with others who resonate with their experiences.

  • Safeen James final year project. Photography by Safeen James.
    Safeen James final year project. Photography by Safeen James.

    UAL Anti-racism strategy  

    The anti-racism plan sets clear objectives and expectations for us to tackle racial inequality, as we work together to make UAL an anti-racist university.

Bookshelf

  • Africa-Rising-Barlow,-B.,-Klanten,-R.,-Ehmann,-S.,-Obrecht,-V.,-Napier,-L.-and-MacNaughtan,-J.-2016.Africa-rising-Fashion,-design-and-lifestyle-from-Africa,Berlin-Gestalten..jpeg
    Book. Barlow, B., Klanten, R., Ehmann, S., Obrecht, V., Napier, L. and MacNaughtan, J. (2016). Africa rising; Fashion, design and lifestyle from Africa, Berlin: Gestalten.
  • Black-is-beautiful-Brathwaite,-K.-and-Ford,-T.-2019.Black-is-beautiful.-New-York-Aperture..jpeg
    Book. Brathwaite, K. and Ford, T. (2019). Black is beautiful. New York: Aperture.
  • Dapper-Dan-Day,-D.-and-Awake,-M.-2019.Dapper-Dan.-New-York-Random-House..jpeg
    Book. Day, D. and Awake, M. (2019). Dapper Dan. New York: Random House.
  • VBG.jpeg
    Book. Gainer, N., 2015. Vintage black glamour. London, England: Rocket 88.
  • VBG-Gentlemens-quater.jpeg
    Book. Gainer, N.(2020). Vintage Black Glamour : Gentlemen's Quarters. London, England: Rocket 88.
  • Dandy-Lion-Lewis,-S-P.-2017.Dandy-lion-the-black-dandy-and-street-style.-New-York-Aperture..jpeg
    Book. Lewis, S P. (2017). Dandy lion: the black dandy and street style. New York: Aperture.
  • Supreme-Models.jpeg
    Book. Reynolds, M. (2019). Supreme models : iconic black women who revolutionized fashion. New York: Abrams.
  • The-new-black-vanguard-Sargent,-A.-2019.The-new-black-vanguard.-New-York-Aperture..jpeg
    Book. Sargent, A. (2019). The new black vanguard. New York: Aperture.
  • Black-Style-Carol-Tulloch.jpeg
    Book.Tulloch, C. and And, V. (2004). Black style. London: V & A Publications ; New York.
  • The-Birth-of-Cool-Carol-Tulloch.jpeg
    Book. Tulloch, C. (2016). The birth of cool: Style narratives of the African diaspora. London: Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.
  • Consyance-C.R.-Whie-How-to-slay-Inspirations-from-the-queens-and-kings-of-black-style.jpeg
    Book. White, Constance C R, and Steele, V. (2018). How to Slay : Inspiration from the Queens & Kings of Black Style ; New York, Rizzoli New York.

A selection of books for you to enjoy, search the UAL Library catalogue or visit UAL Libraries to discover more titles.

London College of Fashion

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