Project Information
Aims:
- To better understand, honour and sustain the culture, faith, and skills of our refugees
- To develop new skills and build connections within the local community
- To make a difference to future ways of working with refugees in fashion and textiles
In the broader context, the project addressed challenges within the fashion industry, emphasising the need for research to tackle issues related to cultural heritage, social equality, livelihoods, and environmental sustainability. Special attention was given to the textile heritage of minority groups in mainstream fashion. The project upheld principles of sustainability by showcasing the artisanal practices of refugees and actively working to decolonize prevailing design methods.
The project’s outcomes included textile photo-stories, collective visions for a sustainable future, co-created fashion and textile artefacts, a social enterprise model, policy recommendations geared towards sustainable regeneration with a focus on refugee communities in the UK, and oral histories documenting refugee stories. This project continues in its commitment from participants to fostering positive change and inclusivity within the fashion and textile landscape.
Who are the Team?
- Dr. Francesco Mazzarella – Principal Investigator
- Professor Lucy Orta – Co-Investigator
- Dr Seher Mirza – Post-Doctoral Research Fellow
- Nicole Zisman – Project Administrator
- David Betteridge – Filmmaker
- Camilla Palestra – Curatorial Associate
- Alisa Ruzavina – Fashion and Textile Designer and Maker
- JC Candanedo – Photographer
For further information about the research, please go here or contact the project lead, Dr Francesco Mazzarella at f.mazzarella@fashion.arts.ac.uk.
Our upcoming project Weaving the Threads of Refugee Entrepreneurs, part of Welcome Newham, in collaboration with UAL and Newham Council, will have participants from the Decolonising Fashion project delivering workshops, with an aim for the evaluation report to guide future improvements in refugee-related services. Travel will be reimbursed for this project and there is one to one counselling available too. These sessions will be hosted at Rosetta Arts on Thursdays, 10-1pm, from January 25 to March 7. For more information please email venetia@rosettarts.org.
Photos by JC Candanedo
