Celebrating the exhibition Africa Fashion, intergenerational storytellers across spoken word, music and art are united each month for an afternoon of free activities, performances and talks for all ages curated by African-led organisations Next In Colour and Yo CiTY.
The series, titled Africa Fashion: Past, Present & Future, shares the influence of the past, pull of the present and hopes for the future of diasporan communities, acknowledging that each generation cannot exist without what came before and what is yet to come.
Africa Fashion: Past, Present & Future takes place across three Saturday afternoons on 20 July, 17 August and 21 September.
Learn more about Africa Fashion
WHAT’S ON
12 – 12.30pm: STORIES FROM THE SALON
This storytelling session references the African hair salon as a communal space where topics around love, life, beauty and style play out. Set amongst a background of a fictional hair salon designed by Ethiopian-Norwegian artist, Olana Janfa, you can hear from African community members each month on what fashion and style mean to them.
12.30 – 3PM: TEXTILE WORKSHOPS
Explore how African textiles have been used to demonstrate the wearer’s culture, social status or to commemorate an important event. Create a zine using African textiles in this workshop with Next In Colour.
Visitors can also enjoy a Somali weaving activity lead by Qaymi Arts and Crafts as well as drawing activities for children.
12.30 – 1PM & 2.15 -3PM: NEXT IN COLOUR PHOTO STUDIO
Use your phone to take a selfie in the Next In Colour Photo Studio, a homage to the makeshift photo studios featuring bold fabric backgrounds and everyday props which have shaped African studio photography.
1.15 – 2.15: AFRICAN JAM SESSION
Be immersed in an African jam session presented by Yo CiTY. Each month, three different musicians unite for a session of improvised live music spanning traditional, popular and contemporary styles.
Program Collaborators
Yo CiTY
Yo CiTY Founded by Percy Dube & Dorcas Maphakela, Yo CiTY is an African-led organization based in Melbourne, dedicated to promoting art and creativity within marginalized African communities across Victoria. Founded with the vision to demonstrate that excellence can thrive in diverse and underserved communities, Yo CiTY operates through four core pillars: Events Management, Artist Management, Content Creation, and Social Media Management.
Next In Colour
Next Iin Colour is an African-led community arts organisation dedicated to sharing the transformative power of arts and creativity to empower and drive change. Led by creatives Ruth Nyaruot Ruach and Geskeva Komba, Next In Colour work across the creative industries, academia and community engagement connecting the community with opportunities and leading co-designed workshops and events.