A Tour of the Fashion District Film
Our new film, from Deadline Communications, showcases London’s bright and bold designer talent, in the places and spaces of the Fashion District – Hackney, Haringey, Newham, Waltham Forest and Tower Hamlets. The film is currently playing on the big screen at London Stadium in the Queen Elizabeth Park so make sure to look out for it! Here we take you across the Fashion District and spotlight the sensational designers who bring our film to life.
Let’s start with designer brand CIMONE, whose incredible pieces are seen against the backdrop of The Royal Docks in Newham, near to The Silver Building, at a growing home for business and culture in east London. Find out more about The Silver Building here.
CIMONE is an inclusive ready-to-wear brand from Creative Director Carli Pearson who says she wants it to feel like a heritage brand reawakened for a modern society. For Carli, the aim is to create pieces that are loved and cherished for years to come and can be passed on from generation to generation, her intention is to achieve sustainability through thoughtful, considered buying and investment.
Photography: Graham Cann. Designer: CIMONE
CIMONE is based at one of Arbeit Studios’ east London premises in Lea Bridge Road. Arbeit Studios also run a dedicated fashion hub in Leyton Green in collaboration with the Fashion District. Leyton Green Studios specifically provide affordable creative workspaces, and an onsite gallery/selling space, for fashion start-ups and creatives. So if you’re a fashion or textile designer in need of a space to work, take a look at their website linked above.
Next up, Nigerian born designer IYA₦U, whose vibrant collection pops against the urban landscapes near Poplar Works.
Another space in the Fashion District dedicated to fashion makers, Poplar Works comprises over 40 workspaces for fashion businesses at a range of sizes and prices, and the manufacturing unit, Making for Change, with classes, workshops and training programmes for the community.
Within the Fashion District film, IYA₦U’s vivid colour pallet and unique prints illustrate the designer’s transcultural identity. She merges her Nigerian roots with her British upbringing – rebelling against the traditional rules of fashion. She describes her brand as “the first of its kind and the beginning of a new generational vanguard of African creatives.”
Photography: Graham Cann. Designer: Rahemur Rahman
Another of London’s talented young designers showcased in the film is Rahemur Rahman. Rahemur’s texturally rich designs are showcased in the studio at Fashion Enter.
Fashion for Good connects brands, producers, retailers, suppliers, non-profit organisations, innovators and funders to work together in their shared ambition to make the fashion industry a force for good. By providing inspiration and iFashion Enter is another of the Fashion District spaces where makers can improve their skills and pick up new techniques. This social enterprise, based in Haringey, offers a wide range of teaching services within The Tailoring Academy and The Fashion Technology Academy. You can also find sampling, grading and production services within The Factory and Fashion Studio; both are ethical and sustainable alternatives for the manufacturing of fashion and textiles.
Rahemur Rahman focuses on the sustainable production of artisanal textiles. He pulls cultural references from South Asia and the UK and says that his aim is to decolonise craftsmanship through fashion design, whilst creating spaces for underrepresented voices in luxury fashion. Rahemur was also one of the first designers to reside at Poplar Works.
Photography: Graham Cann. Designer: Patrick McDowell
Finally, we see a designer who is currently making waves across the industry – Patrick McDowell. Patrick’s label is a sustainable luxury brand and, in our film, his striking pieces are seen against the backdrop of the canal, alongside The Trampery Fish Island Village.
Once complete, The Trampery Fish Island Village campus will be Europe’s largest fashion campus – created in collaboration between Peabody Trust, The British Fashion Council & London College of Fashion. The campus will play an important role in helping emerging fashion brands within the district become more sustainable. It will house onsite eco fashion experts and run an ongoing programme of sustainability focused events – so keep an eye out for opportunities to get involved! Alongside the dedicated fashion facilities, Fish Island Village will provide over 30 studio spaces for local creatives, at affordable rents.
Patrick McDowell illustrates the value of sustainable practices in luxury fashion and is a strong advocate for reducing fashion’s global impact. His pieces are crafted from reclaimed fabrics and ethically produced materials from the likes of Burberry and Swarovski.
That rounds up our whistle-stop tour through the Fashion District film! We hope that you get a chance to see it on the big screen. If you are a fashion maker looking for a space to work or learn, check out the places featured in the film at the links below:
And find out more about our showcased designers here: