Photography by Megan Pugh
Just a few hours after our vibrant Cultural Style Week South Africa launch in Cape Town, we partnered with Ebony Milestone to present the Afro-fusion Fashion show and night market in Leeds, Cultural Style Week’s first ever UK event to take place outside of London. This pre-week event took place at the Leeds Archive and was hosted by Khadijah Ibrahiim, an award-winning author and poet with strong ties to the Jamaican community.
Photography by Megan Pugh
Photography by Megan Pugh
The evening was a rich celebration of culture, fashion and music with trade stalls, performances and fashion shows. Several of the stalls shared a common theme of sustainability and included businesses such as Wix Trix Candles, Abundance Foods, Damilola Jewellery, 9ethertouch, Sugar and Spice by Rhonda, Cre8tiv Arts and Crtfd Empire.
Photography by Megan Pugh
The opening performer was the talented Lara Rose, a Leeds-based singer-songwriter whose Afropolitan music is influenced by her background in gospel, soul, funk and R&B as well as her Yoruba heritage. After this, it was time for a different kind of fusion - a total immersion in the cultural style of Leeds.
The fashion showcase included our event partner Ebony Milestones fashion brand of the same name, Clyde Sheriffe, Crtfd Empire, Jenny Dixon, Klozet Clothing Boutique and Abeer Alzhoor as our featured brands.
Photography by Megan Pugh
Ebony Milestone shone brightly on the catwalk with a dazzling selection of eye-catching African print garments, all the way from Ghana.
Photography by Megan Pugh
Photography by Megan Pugh
As a tailor, designer and pattern cutting technician, Clyde Sherriffe needs no introduction from anyone familiar with the Leeds rag trade. He has more than three decades of experience in fashion design under his stylish belt and his gorgeous creations are a testament to his expertise in styling and his attention to detail. But what we really admire about him is his tireless dedication to passing on his wealth of knowledge to a new generation through workshops and tuition to would-be fashion designers. He also lectures at Huddersfield University.
Photography by Megan Pugh
Crtfd Empire showed off urban streetwear, with a boldly Afro-centric twist. Jamaican-born fashion designer Jenny Dixon built her brand from humble craft fair beginnings and now specialises in couture and bespoke bridalwear. She has a degree in fashion design. Designer Abeer Alzhoor introduced us to the elegant, colourful cultural wear of Yemen.
Photography by Megan Pugh
For the midpoint interval, Joanna Klu, also known as Cre8tiv, electrified the audience with her lively spoken word tribute to cultural style and wearable art. Klu, a multi-disciplinary artist and performer draws on a Jamaican heritage and years spent in Ghana for her bold yet accessible creations. Sharing the bill was Fredlin Morency, who traces his heritage to the Turks and Caicos Islands. This talented young man’s presence was a special privilege. Earlier this year, he served as assistant musical director for the Reggae Roots choir that performed at the Coronation of King Charles III.
Photography by Megan Pugh
Photography by Megan Pugh
Photography by Megan Pugh
Cultural Style Week in Leeds was a huge success and there are so many people to thank for making the event awesome. Thank you to Beverly Brown of Ebony Milestone for making the Afro-Fusion Fashion show possible and we are super-grateful to Amy England-Lees for the use of the Archive Leeds venue. Event management and night market support was in the capable hands of Mahogany Market and the PA and music equipment was supplied by Way 2 Dark 4 U. Technical support came from Chris Brown and the performers were managed by Christella Latras.
Photography by Megan Pugh
The superstar models who owned the catwalk with their style and confidence were Carol Ruddock, Pauline Tomlin, Jenny Dixon, Veneisha Williams Damesha Wyatt-Green, Tyra, Reece Gibson, Ziana Daliegh, Reon Allette, Harley, Nisa Taj, Debbie Flemming and Ali Broderick - Ibrahiim. Official photographers at the event were Samad Parvez of Phaze 30 and Megan Pugh. The make-up artist was Shakiya Monish.
“It was an honour to represent Cultural Style Week 2023, as their official host for the Leeds City Region and first U.K. event outside of London.” - Beverly Brown, founder of Ebony Milestone
"The fashion show and night market by Ebony Milestone was a brilliant evening. It was so lovely to not only explore, but celebrate different heritages through fashion and style. We loved being a part of it and hope to host again next year!"
Amy England-Lees, Archive Events Manager
Thank you to every who took part, attended and supported the event. Roll on 2023.
Written By Carine.E