On June 7, the BFC will take over the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) to celebrate LFW40 and three of the cultures that have made a rich and significant contribution to the British fashion industry, with the aim of building on these each year. This year’s guest curators Clara Amfo, award winning radio and television broadcaster; Kai-Isaiah Jamal, poet, model, consultant and visibility activist and Simran Randhawa, writer and creative, will curate a cultural programme of events informed by incredible exhibitions by guest photographers, Dani D’Ingeo, Stephen Akinyemi and Tami Aftab, BFC said in a press release.

The three cultures informing this year’s exhibitions and programming are Black culture centred around self-love; South Asian culture with focus on pattern, textile and craftsmanship; and queer culture, with a spotlight on young creative voices from the trans community. Rooted in London, storytelling will focus on British brands and designers, as well as personal stories from a variety of communities within these cultures. In celebration of LFW40, there will be a retrospective installation that celebrates the success of LFW and the important role it plays globally at the intersection of culture. 

Across the weekend, the breadth of British menswear will be celebrated from Savile Row to sportswear and rising talent to heritage brands, with a ‘40 for 40’ programme in honour of LFW40. This will consist of a lineup of 40 activations hosted by British brands and designers across the city including; catwalk shows, presentations and events. The BFC will take over the Groucho Club on June 9 to provide designers and brands with a dynamic activation space.  

The BFC will work closely with 1664 Blanc to amplify the diverse cultures and creatives that play a pivotal role in shaping the UK fashion industry. On June 8, 1664 Blanc will open the LFW to a consumer audience, inviting guests to explore the cultural programming at the ICA. As part of 1664 Blanc’s activation entitled ‘Explorations in Blue’, visitors will be able to attend four exclusive panel talks discussing key issues facing the industry with industry experts, designers and voices including Charles Jeffrey, Munroe Bergdorf and Rejina Pyo.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RR)