For their SS19 collection ‘Global Womanhood Part Two, 16 Days Of Activism’ shown at London Fashion Week, designers Catherine Teatum and Rob Jones have partnered with YouTube, Google and the British Fashion Council in support of United Nations Women.  In a move away from the regulation runway show, the designers behind the label Teatum Jones have created a presentation to highlight the collection itself, accompanied by a powerful round table discussion.

The first of its kind, the Teatum Jones led ROUND TABLE not RUNWAY discussion has been recorded and features a panel of industry experts including:

• Caryn Franklin MBE – Fashion commentator, Journalist and Professor of Diversity
• Claudia Croft – 10 Magazine – Deputy Editor & Fashion Features Director
• Felicity Haywood – Model, Activist, Campaigner
  Lotte Anderson – Art Director, i-D magazine ‘Future Females’
• Lucy Banks – Google / You Tube – Head of Content and Brand Partnerships across EMEA
  Marai Larasi – Executive Director of Imkaan
  Munroe Bergdorf – Model, Activist, Campaigner
• Simran Randhawa – @ Gal-Dem – Politics Editor, i-D magazine ‘Future Females’
• Sophie Matthews – British Fashion Council – Head of Media & Retail Partnerships
• Tamara Cincik – Fashion Roundtable – Founder and CEO

“The SS19 collection has been inspired by the interviews we’ve had over the last six months with activists and campaigners.  From our research and interviews we conducted in relation to 16 Days of Activism, we have extracted the most powerful messages and literally woven them into a body of textiles, such as; “I DEFINE MYSELF” and “I OWN MY STORY.”  Recognised for our textile development, we wanted to present a collection of bold, vibrant and unapologetic textiles that speak louder than previous seasons and reflect the courage and determination in the voices we’ve listened to throughout this season.”  Designers Catherine Teatum and Rob Jones.

I was invited to an intimate gathering at London Fashion Week at a private members club on Greek Street to take in the new collection and chat to Fashion Commentator Caryn Franklin MBE about just how important this whole discussion is to the fashion industry as a whole.

The collection itself is strong and vibrant, the hand painted Love Floral print takes centre stage in flame burnt orange, mustard yellow and royal blue with contrasting textures.  The sequins used in the collection have been repurposed from past season sponsored water bottles and old stock jumpers have been used throughout this SS19 collection.

There are hints at the struggles that women are facing in today’s political climate and this is discussed in the short film which accompanies the collection, the sports tape strapping used throughout which cinches and pulls, almost dragging and tightening the clothes on the body in a way to express those hurdles faced by women today.  It’s a politically rich collection, made more uncompromising by the strong message in the ROUND TABLE not RUNWAY film screened alongside the presentation.  The film is being made available for public consumption on YouTube and if you have an interest in fashion, sustainable fashion, political fashion or feminist issues and how they’re represented by the fashion industry today, then it’s an absolute must watch as it’s spearheaded by some of the most influential activists in the industry.

In terms of the fashion itself, it’s typical Teatum Jones, it’s beautifully crafted for the female form echoing batik print, elegant cuts, elongated sleeve detailing and proportions that seem to add height without any effort at all.  The fashion most definitely hasn’t been diluted in order for the brand and its associates to deliver a strong message about how fashion can play a part in the protection, unification, inclusion and equality of women and girls