All are invited to come together, learn, network and have fun at this weekend’s Festival. The immersive and interactive digital stages offer a safe, fun space for creatives and non-creatives from all backgrounds who are passionate about fashion, beauty and lifestyle to connect through the FMA.
BEAUTY STAGE The Fashion Stage will be showcasing not only leading names in fashion design but exploring some of the unsung icons, with enjoyable workshops highlighting the versatility and rich ecosystem of the industry. FASHION STAGE The Fashion Stage will be showcasing not only leading names in fashion design but exploring some of the unsung icons, with enjoyable workshops highlighting the versatility and rich ecosystem of the industry. LIFESTYLE STAGE The Lifestyle Stage will be showcasing not only leading names in fashion design but exploring some of the unsung icons, with enjoyable workshops highlighting the versatility and rich ecosystem of the industry.
The three diverse stages each focus on Beauty, Fashion and Lifestyle, and will showcase not only leading names in fashion design but will explore some of the unsung icons, with exciting workshops highlighting the versatility and rich ecosystem of the fashion industry. The Festival boasts a rich roster of industry trailblazers, cross-generational in scope and campaigning across a wide variety of important subjects.
Beauty speakers include the likes of Charlotte Mensah, the internationally award-winning hairstylist, who is recognised as the Go To authority regarding maintaining Natural Afro, Mixed & Curly textures by magazines such as Elle, Vogue, Harpers Bazaar and Tatler to name a few
She was crowned ‘Afro Hairdresser of the Year’ for the 3rd time at the British Hairdressing Awards. These three awards sit at the pinnacle of an already impressive list of over 20 accolades that she has achieved in both hair & business.
Also speaking at the Beauty stage is Dominic Skinner, a London based makeup artist with over 20 years of experience in the beauty industry. Becoming the global Senior Artist for MAC in 2019 and having worked for some of the world’s greatest designers and photographers, he is full to the brim with tips, tricks, hacks and inspiration making him the go-to artist for creative thinking.
The Fashion stage hosts speakers such as International Fashion Director Zadrian Smith, whose work is recognised globally. Zadrian’s career in fashion started after working with the senior exhibition team at the Museum of Arts and Design in New York City, which led to a position at American Vogue, followed by a transfer to British Vogue.
Also found at the Fashion stage is acclaimed photographer, publisher and film director Rankin. As a photographer, Rankin’s portfolio ranges from portraiture to documentary. He has shot The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Kate Moss, Kendall Jenner and The Queen to name only a few. His photography has been published everywhere from his own publications to Elle, Vogue, and GQ, and exhibited in galleries globally, including MoMA, New York, and the Victoria & Albert Museum, London.
Writer, personal stylist and style consultant, Aja Barber, will speak on the Lifestyle stage. Not one to miss, her work centers around the intersection of sustainability within the fashion landscape focusing on ethics, intersectional feminism, racism and how systems of power effect buying habits. Calling for collective change throughout the fashion industry by considering the interplay between colonialism, climate change and consumerism, Aja is an advocate and representative for sustainable fashion and social justice who is transforming the fashion landscape with her innovative insights and passion.
Also on the Lifestyle stage is Shania Hubbard, writer and author of the upcoming book Miseducation: A Woman’s Guide to Hip-Hop. Using her work to provoke meaningful change for historically marginalised communities, Hubbard’s writing has helped foster complex discourse around intracommunity sexual violence, abuse within the hip-hop community, and the complicated relationship between Black women and hip-hop.
Amongst the many inspirational and talented speakers, there will be interactive conversations and workshops, hosted by the best in the business. Renowned for clients leaving her workshops feeling refreshed and on a natural high, kicking-off the two-day Festival is Flower Therapy with Maggie, who will present an informative and interactive workshop that goes through the benefits of certain flowers for our mental health.
Join supermodel, actress, writer and television personality Veronica Webb, the first African-American to have a major cosmetics contract, discuss her legacy in her own words. Or delve into the deeper meaning of the term ‘allyship’, in a conversation hosted by Natalie and Naomi Evans of Everyday Racism, alongside the likes of Shimizu Banks, ex Obama White House Policy Adviser.
To have some fun at the end of the brilliant weekend, you can catch Excuse Me I’m A Wine Connoisseur, a 55-minute tutorial with Mike Turner, director of Feel Good Grapes, who will introduce a night of wine tasting, including discussions such as why the wine trade needs to be at the forefront of sustainability in the coming years.
For tickets, more information and agenda click here.
23 & 24 October
By Phoebe Fraser
