In recent months, even with a pandemic going on and all the other madness that 2020 has served us for all 3 courses - black women are still doing their thing and going all the way off. I've been meaning to do this post for a while, amounting everything I feel to be making shifts in the world of fashion. Fashion, typically, has been seen to be an escape route for many allowing for exploration in a creative setting. For me, I have always been amazed and in awe of the capabilities of fashion designers and creatives alike. With fashion week being put on hold for the S/S 2021 shows that usually take place in Sept-Oct - there have still been exceptional collections. 

The first being the SAVAGE x FENTY, with the creativity of the show not being put down by COVID. The delivery? Astounding. Rihanna, as a creative spirit, never fails to deliver shows that embody so much more than style. The show included various performances including Miguel with his wife Nazanin walking for his segment in the show. What is clear is the freedom of expression and self appreciation that is present in the energy of the SAVAGE x FENTY shows. Evidently, this derives from the aura Rihanna has carried throughout her music career and her flexibility in delivering various styles and methods in not just her music but fashion. She highlights this in the in show interviews, revealing why her she remains so passionate for inclusivity. The exploration of different women bodies and their ability to be truly free in their beauty despite colour, gender, sexuality etc - the show is a testament that all women are beautiful. Whilst some began critiquing Victoria Secret for their lack of inclusivity, to anyone with a mind, the SAVAGE x FENTY show delved deeper than any couture house or brand by creating an experience. The ability to have dancers delivering sets in lingerie shows Rihanna's ability to incorporate her own experiences and knowledge of the movement of the female body without a potential nip slip. 

Beyoncé continues to dominate the world of athleisure wear with her brand IVY PARK with her new collection and British Vogue cover for December. Throughout her career, we have seen her explore style and fashion whilst demonstrating messages within it. Her shoot for Vogue was no different, looking at the exploration of street style and high fashion - which is where we can see IVY PARK was created for.  The brand has been around now for over 4 years demonstrating shifts in sports wear by exploring various styles and branching outside of the expected. Being one of the first female black owned brands to delve into the world of sportswear, it is clear that since the IVY PARK collaboration aims to continue pushing boundaries. 

With these two fashion conscious women creating new movements in their respective fields - lingerie and athleisure - their message remains the same. Within the realm of lingerie and the exploration of self, Rihanna has been successful in allowing for not just the sample sized woman but all women to feel included and sexy. Lizzo, who has been ambushed by media for her body positivity, featured in the show in front of a mirror exploring the beauty of the female body. SAVAGE x FENTY created room for conversation about the never ending empty issues attached to women being sexy for themselves as opposed to being sexual objects and overly sexualised for men. Beyoncé through IVY PARK allows for another sector of fashion, which has typically been made for performance as opposed to look, to be remade and shifted in a way where both men and women alike can feel good in athleisure. Both of these women evidently show that again women are superhuman. Our ability to create is endless, pushing boundaries and cultural norms. Fashion goes far beyond the garments but the message and story arguably are more important. Let this be a reminder that our bodies deserve to be any notion we give them. 

I have been obviously observing events unfold across social media following the horrific MURDER of George Floyd - emphasis on murder due to the evident unlawful brutality that must be highlighted. With events related to black lives, what is evident to me is the nations ability to mute it out to become almost white noise - which in turn allows for further spiralling and belief that 'oh it's not that bad here isn't it?'. The repetition of such statements particularly within European culture is proving problematic, with the allowing of ignorance of continuous instilled racism across the system. I've continued to take a step back during this uproar to reevaluate and take notice of my surroundings to understand the complexity of instilled racism within the UK.



The death of Belly Mujinga is one of many deaths caused by direct acts of racism - yet treated as 'accidental' or the result of issues but the issue itself i.e. racism. Our policing and justice system alike work continually against the black community in particular in a lazy and systematic manner. This is not because we as a community are presenting a negative front but instead have built a negative relationship with these enforcement agencies as a result of generations of aggressions coming directly from these institutions. In the UK, the system has mastered the forms of micro-aggressions that continue to hinder and isolate us.

What is evident is that a strategic plan as a community needs to be formed as a means to progress and ensure that this is totally eradicated - protecting and uplifting our own since no one else will. Yes reposting is beneficial and saturating other media outlets with information that is critical to our overall awareness is also key - however what do we do going forward?


#Blackouttuesday, which occured yesterday, saw a number of brands to influencers and media outlets 'standing' with the black community in solidarity. But what we need to do instead of 'thanking them' for their acknowledgments of current affairs - we need to seek change from them directly and question intention. Notice, a lot of the brands we as a collective continue to support lack the ability to be truly inclusive. A token black person is not enough particularly in the Fashion and Beauty industry where our coin is evidently important in ensuring these large companies can stay relevant and afloat. Black content creators continue to push their capabilities and creative energy for it be white washed and replicated to the masses to fit brand 'aesthetics'-  instead of being included in marketing for said brands. Enough is enough - supporting these culture vultures is a large issue . In order for progression to be made we must wholly unite. Separation of people within the black community must be removed and must be done sooner rather than later - particularly that of African and Caribbean separation. How can we seek inclusivity if we  ourselves are separated as a people yet to them we're all the same?

Political education must too become a major key in black households. The same way we encourage the progression within the STEM industries, basic political literacy holds significant power. I've come to realise that basic understanding of how our political system operates here in the UK is not common knowledge. Knowledge is indeed power - how are you actively seeking power? Learning more and allowing for more representation on a local authority level will most definitely allow for progression further up the ladder in due course.

Taking back our diluted black nature through distinctive changes such as challenging schools who do not allow your black children to have braids and afros. Educating people on the meaning of your 'long' name to further bring to light our blackness in a positive way. This particularly is aimed at white readers, seek to be educated instead of working on assumption and appear ignorant.

Supporting black owned businesses to further develop our economy and ensure our coins are being spent within our community. Through this we will open more seats at the tables which have for years  not included us and/or lacked actual representation - again not just one token black person. Money talks - this is evident on the basis that without an economic standing we fail to be wholly included and acknowledged as equals. Nonetheless, this won't be effective unless this is done on a wide scale.

If you still think the UK isn't that bad take a second to take a step back and reflect on your own personal treatment in your childhood etc. Did anyone alter your name to make it easier? Has anyone touched your 'interesting' hair? Do people actively continue to call you aggressive/rude? These are all micro-aggressions that we as a collective, me included, have continued to brush past to ensure I don't appear aggressive as mentioned previously.

Let this conversation be a reminder that we are still in a state of oppression and must continue to raise awareness that this fight is far from over. Change is on the horizon and we will bare witness to it. Let us raise our platforms - economically, politically and socially.