Supermodel­ to host celebration of Windrush generation

A Windrush-themed celebration designed by a supermodel will be held in Brixton during London Fashion Week.

Next Generation Regeneration: Fashion and Revolution was created by supermodel turned art curator and actor, Eunice Olumide, in partnership with Lambeth council.

The exhibition will feature free fashion and sustainability presentations, musicians, live question-and-answer sessions, and will finish with a catwalk show on Sunday, September 15 at Lambeth Town Hall.

The event will celebrate the positive impact on society the Windrush generation has had, in contrast to the Windrush scandal, in which people from the Caribbean who were invited by the UK government to help rebuild the country after the Second World War were wrongly denied citizenship.

Eunice, who was awarded an MBE in 2017, said: “The fashion industry has long been linked to revolution, anarchy and significant change within culture and society.

“It is an area where marginalised groups have often been able to bring recognition to various serious social, economic and environmental issues within everyday life.

“This event ties those themes together and will highlight how Afro-Caribbean culture and society have had a huge influence on the British fashion scene, both in post-war Britain and in the pre-colonial period.

“This community contribution is rarely articulated and actually stunts African, Afro-Caribbean development in the wider global fashion and art markets.

“It also serves as a repost to the terrible treatment people suffered as a result of the Windrush scandal, for the which the Government rightly had to apologise and finally recognised by reversing their mistakes and setting up a compensation scheme.”

Ms Olumide with Cllr Sonia Winifred

The Windrush generation are named after the Empire Windrush ship which arrived in the UK on June 22, 1948 carrying passengers from the Caribbean who were invited by the UK government to help rebuild the country after the Second World War.

It is estimated that around 550,000 people from the Caribbean migrated to the UK between 1948 and 1973.

Lambeth councillor Sonia Winifred is part of the Windrush generation, and lobbied the Government to admit their errors.

She worked to support people who had in some cases lost their jobs, homes and livelihoods because of incorrect Home Office policies.

Cllr Winifred said: “Lambeth is the heart of the Windrush community and we stand united in celebrating their contribution to re-building post-war Britain, and subsequent positive impacts on British society.

“We’re delighted to be working with Eunice on what will be a positive event that highlights just some of the Windrush generation’s achievements since the 1950s.

“This show supports our wider efforts to highlight the treatment of the Windrush generation.

“This also includes campaigning for a memorial monument in Windrush Square, and really exploring the impact of the hostile environment policies on the Windrush pioneers, and the subsequent younger generations.”

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