Fashion show celebrates Black history, culture

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This article was published 13/02/2024 (971 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Sometimes, threads can tie a community together.

More than 60 Winnipeggers gathered at the WAG-Qaumajuq on Sunday for Threads, a fashion show presented in partnership with Black Artists Winnipeg.

The event, which celebrated Black history, culture and fashion during Black History Month, marked a proud moment for Olivia Cassie, the founder of Black Artists Winnipeg.

“I feel so overwhelmed,” said the 24-year-old artist and model.

Organized by Cassie, the show at Winnipeg’s largest art gallery aimed to fill a void in the local fashion scene.

“Threads is not just a display of clothes but a platform to amplify the voices of Black creators,” she said. “African fashion design is starting to become more popular worldwide, but until we start bringing it into everyday spaces, it’s not going to really expand as much as we need it to.”

Among the featured designers were Mide Tamar, Feferity Designs and Osachi Jewelry, each offering a different perspective on fashion influenced by their heritage and experiences.

Kehinde Odenusi, the creative force behind Feferity Designs and a recent recipient of the 2024 Canadian Choice Award for fashion design, said she felt fulfilled seeing her work being appreciated.

“It’s my first time having my designs in a fashion show and I’m so happy to see the models work in my designs,” said the Nigerian designer.

Odenusi started designing in 2017 and she says it’s taken a great amount of patience to be where she is today. Reflecting on the importance of representation, the designer says it’s all about unity.

“We’re here to celebrate unity and diversity; we connect more when we showcase what we have in store for people to see. And that’s when creativity comes too,” she says.

Eniola Adepoju, one of the models at the event, shared her excitement about being part of a celebration of Black excellence.

“Being a Black model here today was very good,” Adepoju said. “It’s different from what I’m usually used to because we’re celebrating Black excellency, Black models, Black designers, Black artists, Black businesses. It’s just different.”

Adepoju started modelling in 2019 and says it can be challenging. “You go on sets or shoots where people don’t know how to do your hair or makeup; it’s discouraging sometimes,” she says.

Despite this, Adepoju says she’ll continue to show up until more spaces like Threads are made. “As long as it’s your passion, trust me, you’re going to get there,” she says.

Cassie shares Adepoju’s sentiments. “As a model of colour, the industry is very volatile towards us and so I wanted to give us an opportunity to do paid work where you are your authentic self,” she said.

“You can have your protective styles (such as box braids or twists) and it doesn’t take away from your beauty, you can have a makeup artist who actually knows how to do your skin tone, you have designers who understand your culture. You’re able to really showcase a lot of different aspects of fashion that aren’t necessarily mainstream in Western culture.”

Though the show was the first of its kind, Cassie says it won’t be the last.

“This is only the beginning,” she says. “We’re planning to organize more of these events across Winnipeg and we want to have more Black creators take part. We plan to grow.”