An exhibition that examined how the cultural, political and socio-economic backdrop of the 20th and 21st centuries shaped the identity of Black style and in turn mainstream fashion culture. Extending far beyond the realm of the catwalk, the exhibition spotlighted and contextualised the profound impact of Black creativity through music, photography, art and design. A legacy honouring of designer Joe Casely-Hayford was central to the exhibitions narrative. Harris co-curated this landmark show as part of B.O.L.D with Andrew Ibi and Jason Jules. Harris’s attention to detail culminated in an immersive journeyed experience for visitors to this show.
The Art of Conversation
1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair
Coiffure artistry is an expression and a mood within a salon installation centered around the conversations connected to the revered barber’s chair. Traditional hand-crafted hairdresser signs and contemporary textile art speak to a coiffure lineage, set against a backdrop of Akan and Ashanti symbols, and market ephemera, including hand-painted workwear on tailor’s busts. Le Tings revalues collage processes through both the digital and physical. Style is paramount to every salon experience — from the entry to the gown, the trim to the wash — all the while, there is constant, multi-layered, unfiltered yet poignant dialogue. Having recently installed Le Salon in Paris, the duo explores more expansive narratives, engaging in conversations with key artists each day that speak to their respective practices. Oliver Spencer is a long-term creative partner whose textiles are key to this edition of Le Salon.
Curator Harris Elliott, stylist Bevan Agyemang and poet Julianknxx explore fashion's inbuilt racist systems through a six-day takeover of the SHOWstudio Instagram account, to continue the conversations brought to widespread attention at June 2020's Black Lives Matter protests. The trio use Instagram Live interviews, videos and collages to explore the work, perspectives and references of Black fashion talent, from menswear designer Bianca Saunders to Liverpool School of Design fashion programme leader Andrew Ibi, and many more.