Stories of Our Style: Andrew Ibi, Oswald Boateng and Bianca Saunders in conversation

Fashion designers Ozwald Boateng and Bianca Saunders are in conversation with Andrew Ibi (BOLD, co-curator of The Missing Thread), to unpack what’s woven into the fabric of what we wear.
Spanning from the 1970s to the present day, The Missing Thread, curated by the Black Orientated Legacy Development Agency (BOLD), charts the shifting landscape of Black British culture and the unique contribution it has made to Britain’s rich fashion design history.
The Missing Thread is sponsored by Morgan Stanley: www.somersethouse.org.uk/what...
ARTIST BIOS
Ozwald Boateng
Celebrating over 25 years in fashion, Ozwald Boateng conceived a new silhouette and palette for international menswear; creating a concept of style and luxury for men not previously envisaged but desired by men everywhere. Always the revolutionary, Ozwald Boateng’s collections now see an evolution into womenswear and lifestyle.
Previously holding the position of Creative Director at Givenchy Homme. He began making bespoke suits in the 1980’s and is widely credited with introducing Savile Row tailoring to a new generation. In 1994, he was the first tailor to stage a catwalk show in Paris during Paris Fashion week. Boateng’s many clients include Will Smith, Jamie Foxx, Daniel Day Lewis, Russell Crowe, Jude Law, Forest Whitaker, Spike Lee, and Mick Jagger.
He was recently awarded an honorary degree for ‘ An Outstanding Contribution to the clothing and Fashion industries’, Named as one of the Most Influential Londoners by the Evening Standard and awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2006 Queen's New Year's Honours.
Teamed with receiving the prestigious Harvard University Veritas Award for his pioneering career achievements in the fashion industry and for being an outstanding catalyst for global socio-economic development, particularly throughout the continent of Africa.
Ozwald Boateng co-founded Made In Africa Foundation, in 2011 alongside Kola Aluko and Atlantic Energy. The Made In Africa Foundation started the first “Africa Rising '' campaign in 2007 with coordination of the closing event at the 50th AU Conference in Ghana on the invitation of President John Kufour in front of 53, Presidents.
Made In Africa advised U.K. ministers Gordon Brown, George Osborne, David Milliband and Baroness Shriti Vadera on Africa. Made In Africa advised several African governments on rapid development of the continent and launched Africa’s first infrastructure fund with President Donald Kaberuka of African Development Bank with the $2bn Africa50 fund launched at Nasdaq.
Bianca Saunders
Bianca Saunders is a Menswear Designer, Artist and Creative Director born and based in London.
Recipient of the career-defining ANDAM Award 2021, Bianca Saunders graduated at The Royal College of Art in Menswear in 2017, launching her Eponymous brand. Saunders first made her fashion week debut at the SS19 London shows, quickly becoming the one to watch. Her work explores modern masculinity with garments designed to give an individual experience to each wearer. As Bianca Saunders has a subtle touch of flavouring related to her British Jamaican heritage. An ambiguity that invites unbounded self-expression in the wearer. One of her key signatures is to capture a garment that appears to be permanently in motion.
Bianca Saunders has collaborated with brands such as Gucci, Wrangler, Farah and has been a part of a special 2 season design project with Ecco Leather where she launched her furniture and accessory design side of the brand. The Bianca Saunders brand has collaborated most recently with Farah, on the SS24 collection.
In 2022 Bianca Saunders was nominated for Independent Designer of the Year for the Fashion awards and this year is nominated for 'The new establishment' award. Saunders was also included in the bOF 500 in 2023 as well as the Hypebeast 100, two consecutive years. Additionally ,Bianca Saunders was invited to design for and attend the prestigious Met Gala, alongside Usher in May 2023.
Bianca Saunders continues to show Biannually in Paris on the menswear schedule.
Andrew Ibi
Andrew Ibi is a designer, artist, DJ and educator. He is the Creative Director of E.Macbean, London, currently the programme leader for the BA Fashion: Design & Communication course at Liverpool John Moores University and Visiting Professor at Middlesex University.