Dulwich Youth Centre
In 2002/3 the LFF embarked upon an ambitious programme with the Metropolitan police and the team at Karrot. We facilitated a fashion show which was named Kitch where 10 young teenagers created 6 collections for a catwalk extravaganza held at the Tate Modern. It was a challenging project, sometimes difficult but exceptionally rewarding and finally ended by being a great success for everyone involved at the finale held in September 2003. Mark Scouler, Karrot Team Leader commented “Overseeing everything to do with the collections, LFF’s know how and hard work has been absolutely vital to the success of the show”.
Following the success of Kitch the project has now been rolled out to Liverpool, Bristol and Glasgow – good luck to all involved.
Now we are on another adventure thanks to Dulwich Youth Club. It is a similar concept whereby we are working with a talented bunch of teenagers from the age of 13-19. Week by week we are holding regular updates with the 17 man-strong team guiding them through the design process from garment conception through to finished end garment. The updates will include visits to the two LFF boutiques at Kingly Court and Bluewater, Museum visits, factory visits and sourcing trips for fabric and trims.
A diary section is being organised whereby there will be an overview of the projects and it’s progression from a highly talented and persistent team leader Joy Ekpeti. Joy expressed “The teenagers we re working with are fantastic they are full of life and have some wonderfully inspiring ideas with regards to fashion. This project will help them appreciate that you only get out of life what you put in. This project also gives them a new mind set – it’s about being positive and having the will to succeed. I will be updating the fashioncapital site every two weeks giving quotes from the teenagers and giving an overview of the projects milestones. I can’t wait to get started!
The first part of the project was to develop a brand name and identity for the initiative. Following a brainstorming meeting with the team we shortlisted a few names but the clear winner was Urban Wear.Many thanks to the LFF for agreeing to help us.”
The majority of the teenagers are based around Peckham, Dulwich and Southwark and many thanks to Bellenden Old School in Peckham for allowing us to use the school on a fortnightly basis to have our update meetings.
So here we go again…onwards and upwards. From the team of LFF we also can’t wait to start this exciting new project. Please find below a few of the budding fashion designers involved in the Urban Wear project. Please keep posted and follow the journey, the traumas, the highs and lows of the Urban Wear label.
Jenny Holloway
Industry Advisor
The following are Bibliographies of some of the guys and girls who attend the Dulwich Youth Centre in Peckham.
Leah Lewis – pic and bio to come
Name: Lauren Pennels Murray
Age: 14
Area: Camberwell
Country: England
Style: Tracksuits, casual, jeans, trainers (Nike),pumps,
flat/kitten heels, designer hand bags, skirts (denim?rara)
Hobbies: Drawing, music socialising, parties
Future Plans/Careers I want to own my own hair and beauty salon and clothes shop
Favourite Labels: Louis Vuitton, Burberry, Gucci, Dloce and Gabana
Favourite Shopse: Topshop, JD sports, mango, pilot
Sarah Pennnels Murray – bio to follow
Name: Raphael Lambert
Age: 14
Gender: male
Area: Dulwich
Country: England
Style: Urban/ casual
Hobbies: Sucking my thumb, going out with friends, listening to music, TV
Plans for the future: Accountant, chef, newspaper editor
Favourite Shop/place: West End, Bromley, JJb, Nike, Footlocker
Likes: Going out with friends, fashion, clothing
Dislikes: People who think they are nice
Reasons for joining
Project: Because I would like to design my own clothes, representing me.
Brian Samuels – bio to follow
Name: Danny Maguire
Age: 16
Gender: male
Area: Dulwich
Country: England
Style: Funny/Humorous
Reasons for joining
Project: Fun, enjoyable, a laugh, meeting new peeps
Plan for the future: To become a qualified engineer
Favourite Designers: Akademiks, Armani, Ben Sherman
Favourite Shop/place: Selfridges, Nike town, Westend, Folkstone
Likes: Jamaican food
Dislikes: Olives
Chantelle Maguire – bio to follow
Name: Ali (aka Strikes)
Age: 15
Gender: male
Area: Dulwich
Country: England
Style: Roll Deep
Hobbies: Football, girls
Favourite Shop: Nike town
Likes: Football, girls and clothes
Dislikes: Badminton, wild cats
Shohab Ali – bio to follow
The diary entry will be made next week!
Jenny Holloway
Industry Advisor
