SHOWstudio's Upcoming Panels For Black History Month UK

To mark the final week of Black History Month UK, SHOWstudio will be hosting three panel discussions celebrating black talent in the fashion industry. Running from 1-31 October 2020, Black History Month is an opportunity to double down on learning about Black British history, acting for racial equality, and celebrating the people making Black British futures bright. 2020's #BLM protests provoked a serious reckoning with the UK's institutional racism and violent colonial history, along with a reassessment of racial inequality within the arts and conversations which are important to keep going.

Kicking things off on Tuesday 27 Oct at 16:00 GMT, model, journalist and presenter Trey Trey will host a panel of black talent in the industry. 'With the sociopolitical climate as it currently stands and the BLM movement newly ignited, now is such an important time to positively represent black talent and amplify our voices' says Trey Trey, who's set to be joined in discussion by make-up artist Crystabel Riley, stylist KK Obi and writers Eni Subair and Dominic Cadogan.

Then on Wednesday 28 October at 16:00 GMT, SHOWstudio are proud to have The British Fashion Council and The BOLD Agency join us for a panel discussion exploring the work and legacy of the late British designer Joe Casely-Hayford. Joe Casely-Hayford: An Icon For Our Times will dissect the themes of identity, Britishness, heritage and the relationship between street culture and fashion. Chaired by designer and academic Andrew Ibi, the panel will ask: 'What does Britishness look like now?' and 'What contribution must the fashion industry make towards a new era?' Ibi will be joined by panellists writer and curator Ekow Eshun, consultant Karen Binns, Chief Executive of the British Fashion Council Caroline Rush and designers Walé Adeyemi and Tolu Coker.

Closing the week on Friday 30 October, fashion consultant and archivist Antoine Gregory will host a panel dedicated to the future of photography as told through the lens of emerging black photographers. Gregory will be joined by Ahmed Barber, Donte Maurice and Quil Lemons. Based in New York, Gregory founded the Black Fashion Fair earlier this year, an online initiative that supports black designers through the mediums of commerce, editorial and film.