Hot on the heels of London Fashion Week, was the return of Kulture2Coutre, the leading black fashion event at the V&A. The high profile event celebrated, acknowledged and promoted the creativity and talent of London’s black designers. Visitors were treated to a free weekend of haute couture runway shows from talented black designers. There were also be fashion seminars, make-up workshops and a fashion exhibition from 17th – 18th November.

The Black History Scholar competition encouraged young people to take an interest in black history through fun quizzes, book reviews and essays. Top prizes include educational funds for further education, lap tops and book vouchers.

The popular heritage walking and river tours uncovered the untold history of London’s Black revolutionaries. At City Hall there were four themed exhibitions including ‘Black Icons’, which looked at a variety of positive inspirational black role models, the legacies of slavery are explored in ‘Carnival Midnight Robbers’ and ‘In Stitches’ whilst race and identity were the theme of ‘Other ..Please specify’.

Mayor Ken Livingstone said: “I am pleased that London’s Black History celebrations grow in strength every year. The events I am supporting are broad and varied in theme, so will both educate, inspire and entertain Londoners.

“The modern legacies of one of the greatest crimes against humanity, the Transatlantic Slave Trade, will be explored during a series of lectures and contemporary City Hall art exhibitions.

“Further education is the focus of the Black History Scholar competition, where essays about iconic black role models won college grants.

“Kulture2Couture at the V&A highlights the work of talented Black fashion designers, whose creativity and contributions to London’s thriving fashion industry need to be acknowledged. The event also provided information and support for people wanting to enter the fashion industry.

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