In partnership with Fenwick, the University of Kent presents Threads & Legends — a fashion showcase marking 60 years of style and innovation as part of the University of Kent’s 60th anniversary year.
Curated around the six decades of fashion since the University’s founding in 1965, the event brings together Fenwick’s contemporary collections with our emerging designer-entrepreneurs, charting the evolution of fashion across shifting cultural and social landscapes, balancing heritage references as well as forward-looking design.
The showcase will also include original designs by Kent Aspire students, offering audiences and industry guests insight into the next generation of creative talent. ASPIRE is the university’s start-up space, providing students with the support they need to start and grow a business. ASPIRE has helped students and graduates turn creative ideas into successful fashion businesses, including JEHUCAL, a global fashion brand founded by Emay Enemokwu while studying Accounting and Finance at Kent Business School.
Threads and Legends is directed by students from the School of Arts and Architecture demonstrating the strength of creative education at Kent, and features collaborations with Kent Students’ Union societies, integrating performance and movement to create a multidisciplinary presentation aligned with current industry approaches to fashion storytelling.
Fenwick will be providing fashion looks from their current collections, as well as make-up and hair stylists for all our student models and kindly donating prizes to be won on the day. A selection of their Canterbury in-store concession businesses will host pop-ups at the fashion fair in the Colyer Fergusson before the runway show.
All proceeds from the event will support the University’s Sanctuary Fund and Kent Opportunity Fund, reinforcing a commitment to widening participation and supporting access to creative education.
Threads & Legends reflects a growing emphasis on collaboration between education, business and emerging entrepreneurs offering a platform cross-sector collaboration in the lead-up to London Fashion Week and reinforces our commitment to the wider Canterbury and Kent region.
Tickets from £4.50 are available from the Gulbenkian website.