While The Strand lights up with some of the world’s biggest brands at the launch of London Fashion Week today, down the road in Somerset House a second fashion week is underway: a modelling of denim jackets by London’s homeless.
Accumulate, a charity which specialises in helping young, homeless people to develop their wellbeing and improve their lives through creativity, has partnered with Somerset House and Levis to open the fashion industry to young homeless adults in London.
A selection of young adults will be designing their own denim jackets this week thanks to a generous donation from Levis and material and fabrics contributed by artists and screen printers in London.
Participants are invited to redesign their gifted jackets and model their work in a photoshoot by Duncan Raban this afternoon, who has previously photographed stars like Tina Turner.
The project aims to ensure young adults who have aspirations in fashion aren’t shut out of Fashion Week, particularly those living on the street who are possibly in the most disadvantaged position.
‘The fashion and creative industry as a whole are not diverse,’ says Marice Cumber, Head of Accumulate. ‘They don’t really represent what London’s population is. This project is a representation of London.’
The charity also helps source and fund scholarships so that some of the people they work with can attend the Access to HE Diploma course in Design and Digital Media at Ravensbourne University London.
We are delighted to be working with @AutographABP on our 2019 project and exhibition. Our workshops have got off to a great start already! So looking forward to seeing the creative works of our participants exhibited in this inspiring space in the Spring! https://t.co/xzoYYQeAt8 pic.twitter.com/fxZ4NBwzgE
— Accumulate (@Accumulate_Ldn) January 30, 2019
See their designs at Autograph in Rivington Place on April 9 where the charity will be displaying and selling their creations.