The BFC’s Institute of Positive Fashion has announced its second project, The Missing Thread, in partnership with the Black Oriented Legacy Development Agency. The project will celebrate British Black Fashion & Culture from 1975 to now through a series of programmed events, culminating in a major exhibition in summer 2022.
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 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 is inspired by Joe Casely-Hayford who paved the way for Black designers working in the UK today and altered the course of this trajectory. This project honours the powerful legacy that he left behind him.
The overall purpose of the project is to reference, educate and present many untold Black cultural narratives and design contributions that are pivotal foundations within society. The project will address shortcomings in academic provisions and practice at Secondary, Further Education and Higher Education level by charting the rise and impact of ‘UK Black Style Culture’. A key long-term objective of the project is to create the first ‘Black Fashion & Culture’ undergraduate education programme in the UK – with the opportunity to export globally.
The IPF helps the British fashion industry lead in the goal to be more resilient and circular through global collaboration and local action. Leveraging global expertise and resources, the IPF adopts standards, develops and establishes frameworks to reset and create a new blueprint for the industry. Through identifying common challenges, the IPF calls for collective action and investment in innovation to make a difference.
This year, the BFC launched its Diversity & Inclusion Steering Committee, an essential part of its long- term plan to fight prejudice and galvanise the industry into action. The Committee is made up of industry and BFC representatives and its role is to address key challenges facing minority communities in gaining fair representation within the fashion industry.
Read more on The Missing Thread Project and the Black Oriented Legacy Development Agency.
More on the Institute of Positive Fashion.
