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Designer and creative director Jawara Alleyne is widely regarded as one of London’s most exciting fashion talents. Growing up between Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, he moved to London aged 19 to study at Central Saint Martins. After graduating, he was invited to join legendary talent incubator Fashion East, where he honed his signature deconstructed aesthetic, one that’s earned him the nickname ‘the safety pin polymath’, plus a shoutout from Rihanna, who called him her new favourite designer.
His work is deconstructed in a literal sense, but also a metaphorical one. Using deadstock cotton t-shirts as his primary medium, Jawara’s clothes are steeped in references - they tell stories of the hurricanes in his homeland; the pirate tales passed down through generations; the confidence of Caribbean women and London’s legendary punks.
In this episode, I sat down with him to discuss eight items of clothing that chart his life and career in fashion. You can see pictures of his chosen items in the newsletter below, and/or watch our entire conversation on YouTube! Big thanks to my amazing DOP Anna Patterson.
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The piece that reminds him of his childhood…
Young Jawara in a suede jacket.
The piece that reminds him of his career…
The Fashion East finale look, Jawara Alleyne SS23.
The piece that reminds him of a high…
Rihanna in Jawara’s ‘Blunt Dress’ in Dazed’s Autumn 2021 issue. Stylist: Ib Kamara, photographer: Rafael Pavarotti, Art Director: Gareth Wrighton.
The piece that reminds him of a low…
Jawara’s show at Arise Fashion Week 2020 in Lagos, Nigeria.
The piece that makes him feel a part of something…
Shalom Harlow in the Alexander Mcqueen SS99 show.
The piece that reminds him of a great party…
Ib Kamara in a wedding dress, shot by Kristin Lee Moolman.
The piece that makes him feel sexy…
Jeans from Jawara’s SS25 ‘Island Underground’ collection.
The one that got away…
A Peter Pilotto printed jacket.
Listen to more episodes of the Threads of Conversation podcast here, and on YouTube, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Subscribe below for more Threads of Conversation, and follow on Instagram and TikTok.
Threads of the week
Recycling this joke.
Loose Threads
I spent Saturday night babysitting and watching Tyrone Lebon’s films on photography platform DoBeDo. I found this one about Abdulhamid Kircher particularly moving - it reminded me of the Davide Sorrenti documentary I watched a few years ago, ‘See Know Evil’.
When I visited Japan last year, I spent a lot of time in ‘konbini’ - convenience stores where you can buy an array of delicious treats and snacks (my fave is a fish-shaped mochi filled with custard). This week, legendary Japanese designer Nigo has been made creative director of one of the three largest chains, Family Mart.
Went to a screening of this film last week, followed by a Q+A with the directors. They were so funny and charming, and the film is too.
I thought this was a really effective campaign.
3 Minute Threads
Have you discovered 3 Minute Threads? It’s a new weekly series where I spotlight one interesting person and their chosen outfit. Intended to be quick, fun and digestible. Appears in your inbox every Wednesday.
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