2025: Our Year in Review

As we close out 2025, we’re reflecting on a year shaped by community, creativity and a growing demand for cultural spaces that feel inclusive, visible and meaningful.

Throughout the year, Cultural Fashion & Arts CIC delivered a dynamic programme of workshops, pop-ups and large-scale cultural events, bringing heritage into everyday public spaces.

2025 at a Glance

• 380+ workshop participants

  Engaged through family craft sessions and cultural workshops, welcoming children, parents and adults into hands-on creative learning.

  
  

• 2,000+ in-person attendees

  Reached through our flagship Cultural Style Week Expo and wider public events celebrating heritage, creativity and community at scale.

  
  

• 250+ creatives, performers and traders supported

  Providing platforms for diverse cultural voices, emerging talent and community-led enterprises.

  
  

• 30+ cultures represented

  Across fashion, performance, storytelling, workshops and exhibitions.

  
  

• 11,200+ online engagements

  Generated through content views and digital storytelling, extending the reach of our work beyond physical spaces.

  
  

• 90%+ positive audience feedback

  With participants consistently describing experiences as inclusive, inspiring and joyful.

  
  

• 2 national award nominations

  Shortlisted at both the REVO Awards and Sceptre Awards, selected from hundreds of entries for impact and innovation.

Creating experiences with the community

This year’s programme was shaped by the communities it represented and delivered in collaboration with our cultural leads, project teams and partners, under the creative direction of Candy Ellie Graham.

Our family craft workshops reinforced the importance of accessible, creative activity for children and carers. They highlighted the power of shared making as a tool for learning, confidence and connection across generations.

Our Black History Month headscarf and heritage workshops, funded by Hackney Council, offered participants the opportunity to explore cultural identity, history and self-expression in welcoming, educational settings.

The Cultural Style Week Expo transformed a high-footfall public space into a vibrant celebration of culture, fashion and storytelling.

The Black History Market Pop-Up at The Mall Wood Green was delivered in collaboration with The Pop Up Project and brought to life by the high-energy hosting and entertainment of Ace of Jacks Entertainment. The event created a vibrant platform for Black-owned businesses and creatives.

Learning, opportunity and progression

Alongside public programming, we created learning and employment opportunities.

This included supporting university placement students, commissioning freelancers, and providing paid work for individuals who are long-term unemployed through funded projects.

We worked with both emerging and established talent across exhibitions, performances, fashion shows and live events.

Alongside delivery, we prioritised organisational sustainability, connection and wellbeing. This included bringing board and team members together for our summer social to strengthen relationships as we prepare for growth.

The year concluded with the soft launch of Cultural Heritage Month 2026, marking an important milestone for the organisation and the start of an exciting new national initiative.

Thank you to every partner, participant, trader, cultural lead and supporter who made 2025 possible. This year reaffirmed why this work matters and set the foundations for what comes next.