BRIT-ISH?, delves into the intricate relationship between Jamaica and Britain both before and after the Windrush era. Through a fashion installation, I explore the cultural parallels shaped by colonialism, focusing on aspects like shape, materiality, and print.
The installation explores the materiality of Jamaican Bandanna fabric, which is a part of Jamaican national dress. The similarities to tartan, act as a reminder of the colonial impact that Britian has left within the country. And how the two countries mergence in culture started long before HMT Windrush in 1948. The silhouette, however, was inspired by the way in which a new fashion aesthetic began to emerge in the 1970’s, through the Windrush generations interpretation of British fashion. The oversized collar, sleeves and train act as symbolism for this abstraction.
Screen printing was used within the print design of the shorts. They feature a crown, sat atop the letters S and C, which is the symbol for the slave-trading South Sea Company. That was owned and profited by the British Royal family. This symbol was used to brand Jamaican slaves. With the use of this symbol, it acts as a reclamation and subversion to raise awareness of the dark history behind monarchical insignias. As well as prompt a deeper thought around the symbolism within British culture that have an imperialistic past.
Quba Brown-Higgins, a multi-disciplinary designer, with a practice around Black British identity and specialising in Black British Futurism within the visual arts.
Quba has studied Graphic Design at Kingston School of Art between 2020-2024. As well as studying Womenswear Design at Politecnico Di Milano during 2023.