News release Black History 'Heroes' take to the catwalk
May 11 2009
Nelson Mandela, L'il Kim and Mohammed Ali are a few of the iconic black figures that will feature in the Black History 'Heroes' segment of Southampton Solent University's Graduate Fashion Show next week.
Solent's second-year Styling, Make-up and Hair Design students have been working on the collaborative project with Black History Month organisers to promote black fashion.
"This is an excellent way of encouraging our fashion students to consider the issues surrounding black fashion within the industry," says Philip Clarke, Programme Leader of the Media and Fashion Styling courses. "Despite heightened awareness there is still scope for fashion magazines and designers to work with more black models and consider the interests of black communities".
For the project, students were asked to choose two names from a list of black style icons past and present, and to mix their individual style to create a new fashion look. The final designs include sartorial blends of black statesman Nelson Mandela with R&B singer Ebony Jones and the legendary Mohammed Ali with Flava Flav.
The idea of putting a 'Black Heroes' segment into Solent University's Graduate Fashion Show was conceived when a group of second-year students became involved in styling the models of last year's first ever Black History Month fashion show, held at Southampton Solent University.
Although the Back to Black Fashion Show in 2008 pioneered the idea, the University's fashion department felt they could expand the project; by working a brief into student project work and giving Black History Month its own section in the larger and much celebrated annual graduate fashion show.
Don John, Southampton City Council's Race Development Officer, says "Education and entertainment have often been twin themes in many Black History events and the Graduate Fashion Show is a superb example of this."
The runway show will be followed by an exhibition in the Concourse gallery space at Solent University in October. The Media Styling team will be working with members of Southampton's black community to produce a series of styled images reflecting the subjects own fashion ideas and stylistic aspirations.
Solent University's Graduate Fashion Show will take place at 7pm on Wednesday May 20th at Southampton Guildhall. Too book tickets contact Southampton Guildhall Box Office on 023 8063 2601 or visit www.southampton-guildhall.com||. Tickets cost £10.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT THE PRESS OFFICE ON 02380 319 040