London Metropolitan University sets the scene for the Colour-in Fashion event taking place on Tuesday 30th of January, organized by the journalism team from the School of Computing and Digital Media in collaboration with The Cass BA Fashion students.
The event will focus on a panel of people working in the industry – from journalists to stylists – speaking on the topic of diversity in the fashion world, and how it can be expanded. It will be followed by a catwalk show from the first-year BA Fashion students.
The panel consists of Guardian journalist Carlene Thomas-Bailey, who has worked for the likes of ELLE magazine and WGSN insider; Buzzfeed columnist Tolani Shoneye; Maria Pearl blogger and stylist, and Jay Kamiraz, fashion judge/stylist. Kamiraz who is described as “a total fashionista”, calls himself Mr Fabulous and is a judge on the new prime time BBC talent show, All Together Now.
His on-screen persona is larger than life but behind the scenes he “is a very kind and a thoughtful person with a fascinating back-story”, said Johanna Payton, London Met visiting Fashion lecturer and one of the coordinators for the event.
Why colour-in fashion? “There have been so many shocking statistics released over the time I’ve been teaching at London Met regarding the lack of diversity in the fashion industry,” she said. “Whenever my students have the opportunity to write about ethical issues in fashion, lack of diversity is a topic that comes up year after year.”
The aim of the event she states clear: “We want to engage our panel in a debate about how fashion can make changes, and what can be done to make the industry more diverse.”
Payton’s enthusiasm for the event is evident. “It’s fantastic to be involved… it’s also a great opportunity for the fashion, beauty, marketing and journalism students to show their journalism colleagues how important the industry is and how it can drive across society.” The event will start at 16:30, tickets are free for all and are available on Eventbrite.
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