Fashion show celebrates black history, culture – Winnipeg Free Press

Sometimes threads can bring a community together.

More than 60 Winnipeggers flocked to WAG-Qaumajuq on Sunday for the Threads for Threads fashion show presented in partnership with Black Artists Winnipeg.

The event, which celebrated black history, culture and fashion during Black History Month, was a proud moment for Black Artists Winnipeg founder Olivia Cassie.

“I feel so overwhelmed,” said the 24-year-old artist and model.

Organized by Cassie, the show at Winnipeg's largest art gallery aimed to fill a void in the local fashion scene.

“Threads is more than just a fashion statement, it's a platform to amplify the voices of black creators,” she said. “African fashion design is gaining popularity around the world, but until we bring it into the everyday space, it won't expand as much as we need it to.”

Among the designers featured were Mide Tamar, Feferity Designs and Osachi Jewelry, each offering a different approach to fashion influenced by their own heritage and experience.

Kehinde Odenusi, the creative force of Feferity Designs and a recent winner of the 2024 Canada Choice Award for Fashion Design, said she felt blessed to see her work recognized.

The Nigerian designer said, “I'm very excited to be doing my fashion shows for the first time and to see the models working on my designs.”

Odenusi started designing in 2017 and says it took a lot of patience to get to where he is today. Reflecting on the importance of representation, the designer says it's all about unity.

“We are here to celebrate unity and diversity; We connect more when we show what we have for people to see. That's when creativity comes,” he says.

One of the models at the event, Eniola Adepoju, shared her excitement about being a part of the incredible black celebration.

“It was great to be a black model here today,” Adepoju said. “It's different than what I'm used to because we celebrate black people, black models, black designers, black artists, black business owners. It's different.”

Adepoju started modeling in 2019 and says it can be tough. “You go on sets or shoots where people don't know how to do your hair or makeup; “It's frustrating sometimes,” he says.