PhD student at CSF, community organiser and film maker Toyin Gbomedo talks to us about her work and involvement in Imagining Possibilities Festival
- Written byLondon College of Fashion
- Published date 19 April 2024
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Imagining Possibilities is a festival hosted by Centre for Sustainable Fashion (CSF), for those who work and engage in fashion daily and those who have never engaged in it - and everyone in between.
PhD student at CSF, community organiser and film maker Toyin Gbomedo talks to us about her work and involvement in Imagining Possibilities Festival.
Tell us a little about your career path and what led you to be a part of the Imagining Possibilities festival.
My career started off in music which led me to do some exciting work such as touring Africa and Europe and some television too. I previously taught children and young people how to be creative with a camera and how to edit their own videos which was a very long time before TikTok came along. I also used to be a youth worker before working in the youth criminal justice system. So I've had very exciting careers running alongside each other.
I started upcycling clothing in 2007 just as a hobby and only for myself. Last year I had the opportunity to be a Creative Artist in Residence at LCF, which allowed me to showcase my upcycling designs in 2 exhibitions. My art work has been focused on certain injustices within the fashion industry which is what has led me to be involved in the Imagining Possibilities Festival.
We understand that you work closely with schools and younger communities around east London - tell us why you decided to work with younger people from the local area? What is your favourite thing about working with these groups?
I have been working with young people in east London for just over 20 years, so this work is what I am passionate about. Young people were not always given a platform to be have a voice and be heard, so my work with them allows them to create a safe space where they can have a voice and be heard.
For anyone that is unsure on what the Imagining Possibilities festival entails - how could you best describe what the festival is aiming to do?
From my understanding, the festival aims to open the conversation on ways we can work towards a sustainable future for all no matter who you are, this festival is open and for everyone.
What can visitors expect at your workshop 'DaPada: Countering Waste Colonialism' on Saturday 20 April?
Visitors can expect to gain knowledge and insight into what 'waste colonialism' is and how each of us can play a role in trying to stop this injustice as many people do not think it is an injustice at all.
'Dapada' (Return to Sender) is a workshop for the global north to think about more solutions to stop the dumping of waste in the global south.
So, what's next for you? Where will your research lead you?
My research is in decolonising fashion through design activism for co-design and cultural sustainability and I have activities planned within my research which involves creating exciting work with communities so watch this space..
- Find out more about Imagining Possibilities Festival
- Find out more about Centre for Sustainable Fashion