Celebrate the legacy of Black design at this free event from Today at Apple

Back in 2020, Charlene Prempeh was in a meeting with her team at A Vibe Called Tech, the agency she founded to amplify Black creators. The name of fashion designer Ann Lowe came up, and Prempeh was surprised to have never heard of her. Lowe is the legendary designer behind Jacqueline Kennedy’s wedding gown – an iconic garment of the 20th century worn by one of the most-photographed women in history. Yet despite her skills and accomplishments, her name rarely surfaces in mainstream fashion discussions.

This became the catalyst for a book – Now You See Me: An Introduction to 100 Years of Black Design – which delves into the significant contributions made by Black figures in fashion, art, and architecture. Published earlier this year, it encourages a deeper and more nuanced conversation about Black designers and their experiences of navigating predominantly white spaces. As Prempeh notes in her introduction: “For decades, Black designers have been cloaked in invisibility.”

As part of this Black History Month, Today at Apple is inviting Prempeh to host an event. 100 Years of Black Design takes place at Apple Covent Garden on 22 October, beginning with a 60-minute talk from Prempeh followed by a panel discussion with three prominent artists and designers.

Each speaker will share their insights and experiences, discussing successes, challenges, and visions for the future. Jazz Grant works with collage and video to produce mixed media works that explore identity and heritage. This includes personal projects, but also commercial campaigns for brands like Hermès, and a mural for Burberry’s 2020 campaign with Marcus Rashford.

The second speaker is Bianca Saunders, a British-Jamaican designer from Lewisham that is redefining contemporary menswear by exploring themes of masculinity and cultural heritage. She’s the winner of this year’s British Fashion Council/GQ Designer Fashion Fund, and is the first Black woman to win the prestigious Andam prize.

Finally Jayden Ali will speak on his multidisciplinary practice, which bridges architecture and storytelling with projects that are deeply rooted in community and equity-driven design. Ali saw early success while he was still a student at The Cass, when he created a learning space for an East London school that caters to children with behavioural and emotional needs. Now he runs his own practice, JA Projects, working on design for exhibitions, community housing, and public spaces.

Through engaging with the inspiring work of these contemporary creatives, 100 Years of Black Design invites us to engage with the past, present, and future of design. “While my debut book offered an introduction into a century of Black design that has helped shape our culture over the last hundred years, this event aims to spotlight a new generation of designers who are pushing the boundaries in their respective disciplines and whose work is already being recognised,” says Prempeh.

In her introduction, Prempeh emphasises the book is a curated collection, rather than a comprehensive survey. In illustrating the complex and often non-linear journey behind each success story, she invites us to consider how many others are rejected, discouraged, or pushed out of the profession. It’s a reminder of the importance of nurturing a more inclusive industry – this month, and every month after.

100 Years of Black Design takes place on 22 October 2024 from 6:30–7:30pm at Apple Covent Garden. Tickets are free – RSVP here.