Black Style

Black Style is a dialogue on dress and textiles associated with the African diaspora. It looks at different parts of the region, West Africa, Jamaica, the United States and Britain. The book filled a gap in this under-researched area of study where the main concentration has been on parts of Africa and African-America. A primary aim was to highlight the connections and unique qualities of the different cultural groups of the diaspora.

The book supported the exhibition 'Black British Style’. It expanded on the latter’s aim to present a visual discussion on the internal cultural exchange of garments and political or cultural empathy within the African diaspora. The publication provides a broader picture of what has driven particular style influences within the diaspora, and underwrites their desirability by other groups.

An overriding issue, which emerged alongside that of identity and place in the contributory chapters, was the quest for respect, dignity and self-worth. In the process of editing the book issues and ideas sited informed the exhibition, and vice versa. Together they highlighted the social and political complexities that have helped to shape the identities of black men, women and children, and the cultural influences such as music, performance and design on their lives and dress practices.

The national and international response to the book reiterated the above. Overall the consensus is that this form of study is long overdue. Its publication led to invitations to speak at The Studio Museum in Harlem, New York (2004); The British Council’s ‘Interaction Networking Event on Cultural Heritage’, Livingstone, Zambia (2005); South African Fashion Week Seminars, Johannesburg (2006), and explanation of my research practice to Ph.D candidates at De Montfort University, Leicester (2006).

• http://www.vam.ac.uk/vastatic/microsites...
• http://www.vam.ac.uk/activ_events/commun...