“My entire team knew that we had to step up and take tangible actions that go beyond online sentiments,” Christopher Kane tells British Vogue of his latest project with BA Fashion Journalism and Fashion Communication and Promotion students at Central Saint Martins.
Following a conversation with his friend and CSM pathway leader, Judith Watt, the London-based designer and his sister, Tammy Kane, were committed to finding a way to amplify young BAME voices. The result: Platform, a monthly digital zine created by the BAME students at the renowned art school, of which Kane is an alumnus, will launch via Kane’s 600k-strong Instagram account on 20 August.
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Editors-in-chief of Platform, Hannah Karpel and Yelena Grelet, who are both on their placement year of the Fashion Journalism course, tell British Vogue: “The main thing we have in common with the team at Christopher Kane is that we all want a level playing field for everyone living through these tumultuous times.” The zine, which features the work of the next generation of fashion writers and image-makers, will feature across Christopher Kane social channels over the course of several days. “This was an opportunity to celebrate BAME talents – whether it be our friends, people we admire or strangers we just discovered – and come together as a collective to produce something beautiful,” the editors said.
Platform is the latest publication from the team at The F Word – an investigative, savvy and satirical work by a collective of students across several year groups and incorporating alumni from the Fashion Journalism course. Issue one includes an open letter entitled, “My Black Hair”, written by first-year student, Ore Ajala, and interviews with Nigerian-Irish stylist Natalie Roar and the singer-songwriter Joy Crookes.
The Platform cover features striking green graphics alongside an image from the Tallawah exhibition at Cob’s London gallery, a collaboration between the Jamaican hairstylist Jawara Wauchope and the Nigerian-Jamaican photographer, Nadine Ijewere. “Not only does the image speak volumes – literally – but it is an empowering photograph. The tiaras on the model’s fabulous hairstyle are an emblem of love and honour – an ode from us [Platform contributors] to the talented people of colour,” the editors remark. Yelena adds; “I was left entranced by the avant-garde and fabulous hairdos of Jawara. As a Black girl who has struggled to accept my kinky hair, it was inspiring and refreshing to see his ability to transform all types of hair into ghetto-chic looks.”
Coronavirus has left an air of uncertainty for graduates, as well as those embarking on a year in industry and students returning to university to complete their courses. During this undeniably daunting time, when being heard is more important than ever, Kane remarks: “My advice to anyone graduating is to be bold, innovative, prepare yourself for knock-backs – and to always get back up on your feet and try again.”
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