The Cultural Style Week movement firmly made its mark in May 2023 just a year after the London launch by hosting the first-ever festival of events, including launch events in Leeds, Cape Town, and The Hague in The Netherlands.
In collaboration with Volkova PR, the Cultural Style Week 2023 finale show hosted by Nayha, closed the 2023 international movement in a spectacular way! The vibrant finale headlined by Dian Oerip of Oerip Indonesia, included ten cultural fashion showcases from across the globe, live music, cultural dance, and more.
The show kicked off with high energy with a Tahitian dance from Holland based Polynesian dance group Ohana.
For the fashion showcase, the first stop around the globe was Indonesia. Designer Dian Oerip flew in especially from Indonesia to introduce her Umalulu Terfu Collection at the Cultural Style Week events in The Netherlands and in London.
The line is made of traditionally crafted fabrics such as ikat, lurik, and handwoven kain.
The spectacular fashion show also featured a dance by Rahmida Dewi Patmawati & Indonesian brand ambassador Nova Marseline inspired by the folk dance of the Sumba and Papua regions in Indonesia.
"I am proud to come to London for Cultural Style Week and share my Culture. Indonesia has many traditional textiles in natural colours. Traditional fabric can take from 2 months up to five years to make. We have so many different cultures, fabrics, and patterns and I am very proud to be Indonesian." Dian Oerip
Kimono De Go’s majestical Japanese showcase included traditional Japanese bridal kimono costumes and designer Mamiko Sato’s take on futuristic kimono dresses.
The amazing showcase included live music by Japanese singing sensation Akari Mochzuki and Japanese Tsuragu Shamisen player Hibiki Ichikawa.
West Africa was represented by Ghanaian brand AfiAkos founded by Ghanaian brand ambassador Richmond Osei, who showcased their summer collection and Nigerian brand Ethnicity Clothing which showcased traditional menswear alongside Nigerian inspired evening wear using their signature fabric.
Ethnicity clothing describe themselves as a new movement that produces quality afro eccentric clothing for women, men and children, whilst investing and building a technical garment manufacturing infrastructure, which is lacking in most African countries.
Ukrainian brands Svitlo Style and CAFEDELMARINA represented Eastern Europe by using traditional Ukrainian embroidery within modern clothing.
Svitlo Style are affiliated with the Reliable Country Charitable Foundation and 20% of all sales go towards helping the Armed Forces in Ukraine
The Caribbean islands were represented by Dominican brand Sakafet London who showcased traditional and modern outfits using vibrant madras fabric.
After their amazing solo London event just a few days earlier, YiCrafts were back again showcasing ethnic Chinese fashion from the Miao, Bai, Lahu, Baiku Yao, Bouye, Dong, Lianshan Yi and Dali Yi ethnic groups. The presentation was narrated by YiCrafts founder Yiran Duan.
Southern Africa was represented by Namibian brand, Joree Art Dreams. They showcased the absolutely beautiful traditional Namibian Ovaherero clothing which includes the Ohorokova dress and its unique style hat called Otjikaiva.
The final fashion showcase was by the Cultural Envoy of Mongolia, who presented traditional Mongolian outfits giving attendees a beautiful glimpse into some of the vibrant prints and fabrics synonymous with Central Asia.
Ohana brought the finale to a spectacular close with their closing dance performances.
"We absolutely loved it (the show). Loved seeing all the cultures come and hearing some of the stories behind the cultural clothing". Tola Onigbanjo
Speaking of the finale event, Aleksandra Volkova of Volkova PR and UA in UK stated the following: "One of the most notable features of Culture Style Week was its diverse program. Throughout the event, visitors could enjoy a variety of arts including dance, music, fashion and other aspects of culture. Undoubtedly, it was a very pleasant event for us to support Culture Style Week with our Ukrainian team. We tried to create an atmosphere of mutual respect and joy that allowed communities of different cultures to feel united. The Ukrainian team did their best to present the diversity of Ukraine's cultural heritage and contribute to the enrichment of cultural dialogue. It is also important to note that Culture Style Week was open to everyone, regardless of ethnicity or religion. This allowed different cultures to meet and exchange experiences, which will play an important role in creating a tolerant and peaceful society" Aleksandra Volkova