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Ozwald Boateng returns to LFW after 12 years with celebration of Black Creative Excellence

Lauretta Roberts
22 February 2022

British designer Ozwald Boateng rounded off London Fashion Week, his first appearance for 12 years, with a multi-sensory, emotional and entertaining experience celebrating Black Creative Excellence and showcasing his made to order, ready-to-wear collection.

Staged at London's Savoy Theatre the show featured a vast cast of 100 marrying a mixture of pioneers and models of which several were recognisable Black talent that has been integral to creating change throughout the years.

Those appearing in the show included Idris Elba, Dizzy Rascal, Goldie, Pa Salieu, Koje Radical, Unknown T, Nicholas Pinnock, Rap Man and Kojey Radical, while many more high-profile names were in the audience including actors Naomie Harris and Ncuti Gatwa, as well as musicians Noel Gallagher and Tinie Tempah, among many others. Soul II Soul's Jazzie B acted as DJ but Peter Adjaye was the musical producer.

The show got off to a rousing start with a visual presentation highlighting the names and images of Black pioneers who have contributed to British culture, society, sport and more, set to a live soundtrack of drumming by Yussef Dayes.

After this the models took to the stage to present the collection which, while remaining true to Boateng's Savile Row background, celebrated his Ghanaian heritage and his characteristic rich colour palette.

The designer, who shook up Savile Row in the 1990s and is one of Britain's most recognisable and influential designers, is now focused on creating on-demand pieces that avoid unnecessary waste and can be kept forever or passed on.

After the hiatus of the past two years and the important current affairs that happened in between, Boateng said he felt now was the right time to celebrate black culture and creativity, showing appreciation for those who have made such a valuable contribution in recent decades (not least of which is Boateng himself) and providing a platform for up and coming talent.

The show ended with a rousing rendition of Soul II Soul's seminal track, Back to Life, and Boateng finally took to the stage himself (in a striking emerald suit) to take his bow and join in the dancing.

Tinie Tempah and Ozwald Boateng

Staged on the day the British Government announced an end to Covid restrictions and as the grand finale of the first (almost) normal London Fashion Week since the pandemic struck, the song and the show seemed to mark new beginnings for society in general and also for a more inclusive and sustainable future for fashion.

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