Roots & Threads zine

a collection of stories and photographs that display the vibrance and importance of cultural celebrations in fashion

Roots and Threads

Our Zine

Roots n Threads is a intimate collaborative zine that delves into the relationship between cultural heritage and personal style. Within our zine we will be featuring creatives and students living in London, from different cultural backgrounds - to share their real stories and their experiences.

In this zine, the creatives become the storytellers, as they offer authentic narratives about their cultural backgrounds, traditions, and the ways in which these elements of their identity coincide with the way they dress in day to day life. Through candid interviews and photoshoots our zine will encapsulate the rich cultural landscape that is London.

We encourage readers to step back from their own reality and follow us through a journey that takes fashion to a whole new level of appreciation and adoration. By showcasing these diverse stories and styles, Roots n Threads encourages readers to appreciate the beauty of cultural diversity and to embrace their own heritage.

Our zine not only highlights the multicultural essence of London and the UAL community, but also acts as a catalyst for deeper conversations about heritage, acceptance identity. This is more than just a collection of stories; it is a celebration of the vibrant kaleidoscope of cultures that make us who we are.

by Shannon StaplesAlexander and Qaylah Bell

About Us

Meet Shannon and Qaylah, the dynamic duo that brought you this zine.

We are finalyear Fashion Journalism and Content Creation students at London College of Fashion.

Our roots trace back to the cultural richness of Jamaica and the rich tapestry that is South Africa, solidifying our passion for cultural diversity and personal style.

As creators, our collective journey has fueled a dedication to showcasing individuals who

seamlessly fuse their cultural heritage and personal style.

This zine acts as an intimate reflection of our collective (yet respective) narratives, encapsulating our shared belief in the power that fashion holds as a vessel for cultural celebration and storytelling. Welcome, to Roots and Threads - a celebration of heritage, the artistry of diverse fashion narratives, and the beauty of cultural identity.

In a landscape where culture and fashion blend together, personal style in fashion and art, becomes a reflection of an individual’s heritage and life experiences. For young British Sudanese photographer and fashion enthusiast Lanna Obeid, this intersection of Sudanese traditions and contemporary aesthetics, moulding her artistic expressions and personal style.

Lanna Obeid, A fine art photography student, acknowledges the impact that her Sudanese heritage has on her creative processes, specifically through analogue photography. Lanna expresses with us at Shift, her appreciation for storytelling through photography, which is rooted in the cultural blend constructed by her Sudanese upbringing.

“This appreciation naturally led me to embrace analogue photography, relishing the tangible, hands-on process that allows me to capture moments with a sense of authenticity” Obeid’s Sudanese heritage significantly influences her personal style “The quintessential black kohl eyeliner, an emblematic feature, further accentuates the expressive and bold aesthetic intrinsic to Sudanese femininity” Lanna continues, stating that these sentiments are deeply rooted in cultural traditions, which seamlessly manifest into her personal style.

She notes that there are certain colours and patterns embedded in garments that find their way into wardrobe “a subtle nod to the rich textile traditions of Sudan. My love for fashion extends beyond aesthetics; it becomes a way to express my cultural identity and carry a piece of Sudan with me daily.” When it comes to personal style and self-expression, Obeid makes sure she is somehow incorporating her Sudanese identity into her everyday life, as she draws inspiration from the elegance of other Sudanese women, it becomes a defining element in shaping her own fashion choices.

In a self-portrait series rooted in the traditions of Sudanese weddings, Lanna seamlessly embodies her cultural identity into the visual narrative of her photography. Lanna’s series explores the “intricacies of a Sudanese jerk—a celebration rich in tradition and symbolic adornments” Where the red hues, gold fabrics and the elaborate application of henna accentuates the richness of Sudanese wedding culture - that Lanna is rightfully proud of. “This series became not only a celebration of Sudanese wedding traditions but also a nuanced exploration of personal identity and the performative nature inherent in cultural expressions.”

In the world of talent like Lanna Obeid, fashion and photography act as catalyst for self expression, intertwining elements of Sudanese heritage and contemporary creativity. As she continues to navigate the dynamic of tradition and modernity, her work constitutes as a testimony to the richness of cultural identity and the influence it has on personal style.

“I pay homage to the timeless elegance that characterise Sudanese fashion”

@interludelanna “Self Portrait series”

Meet Yanusha Pathmanathan, a London born Tamil student whose personal style reflects the intricate details of South Asian culture.

Through her lens we explore the influences from traditions and contemporary fashion choices, which create her personal style.

“South Asian culture is renowned for its extravagantly designed outfits and jewellery,” Yanusha begins by detailing how jewellery is widely embraced within South Asian culture. “The importance of jewellery and accessories is something I simply cannot ignore because of the importance it holds in my culture. I make sure to always be wearing jewellery whether it be in addition or as a statement piece as I have been shown how it can complete and elevate any outfit.”

“Fashion is an important means of expression.

Culture has a huge influence in the way people dress themselves and therefore how they express themselves”

In an incredibly digital age, Yanusha found pride in her Tamil heritage from seeing the way her culture is being celebrated and appreciated on social platforms. “Social media has led me to feel so much more empowered by my culture through fashion. On Tiktok, seeing the positivity and the genuine curiosity from people outside of my culture when seeing the beauty of our fashion is genuinely heartwarming”, Yanusha continues explaining how prior to the transformation of media wearing excessive gold and jewellery were considered to be ‘too much’ now makes her “empowered about my identity as a south Asian woman as a whole” For Pathmanathan, it is not just about stylistic choices, it is also about the expression that is deeply rooted in her culture. Within our current fashion landscape, things are seemingly quite westernised, mainly portraying the ideal as ‘white, thin and American’.

“Without the correct representation, other global cultures can be easily forgotten. It is important that the creative industry incorporate diverse cultures to ensure everyone feels represented and appreciated, despite their background.” Yanusha concludes by highlighting the importance of an inclusive cultural climate.

“I feel a deep connection to my roots and a sense of pride in carrying forward a legacy that's been passed down through generations”

“we’re all connected through my work and that cultural diversity should always be celebrated. “ Qaylah: How would you describe your work? what do you try to capture through your work?

Cameron: A lot of my work is based around my friends and the local community. Because a lot of them grew up around estates and that in itself is already really diverse, I felt that I needed to capture that diversity through my work. I also wanted my work to be really candid and raw and I wanted to capture their experiences through my camera. I want to make sure that I can tell their stories in the best way possible Qaylah: How does your cultural background influence your approach to your work Cameron:I think a mix of being Portuguese and growing up in London has influenced my work a lot. Cultural identity is quite an important topic for me because of my roots and I think I centre my work around it because firstly it’s personal to me and secondly, it helped me to appreciate my friends’ own diverse cultural backgrounds a lot more. I see diversity every day in London, and that’s what I want to capture - the realness of different cultures and how amazing they are

Qaylah: Can you share a specific project where your cultural identity played a significant role in shaping the visual narrative?

Cameron: Every year I try to get really good photos at Nottinghill Carnival. Even though it’s traditionally a celebration of Jamaican culture, I feel like its recently turned into a celebration of all cultures. I love seeing how people with diverse backgrounds can all come together for a day in celebration and I think it makes amazing content! All my photos at carni are candid and I think it really show unity between different cultures in a genuine and real way.

Qaylah: Are there any specific artists, photographers or fashion movements from your culture that inspire your work Cameron: Honestly, I would probably say my mum. She was always doing really creative and cool things both here and in Portugal when I was growing up and would like to say I have taken after her! Fun fact, some of her work used to be showcased in Madonnas’ favourite bar in Lisbon called Tejo bar!

Josh

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Within the lively streets of Northwest London and West London, where the ambience of Caribbean joy meets to create a unique blend of culture and fashion. Born and raised within this cultural fusion, Film student Tyrese provides us with a narrative that intertwines the elements of Black British culture and it’s influence on personal style.

For Tyrese, music played a pivotal role in shaping his style “My relationship with fashion has always been tied to my taste in music” he explains, noting that the likes of UK grime artists; Wiley Skepta and Crazy Titch has influenced what he wears.

Jamaican heritage has left a permanent stain on London’s cultural dynamic, from Notting Hill carnival to remote Caribbean restaurants in North West London, it feels as though there is a little piece of the Caribbean wherever you are in London. When it comes to style the iconic Clark Wallabee is known to be a fashion staple in Jamaica, one that Beckford himself adores. “You really can’t go wrong with that crep; it’s stylish, it’s comfy, and you can

rock ’em with a lot more than you think.”

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Some may believe it is just a shoe, but to Beckford and other Jamaicans alike, they express the way Caribbean culture seamlessly blends into everyday life.

Whilst staying connected to his Jamaican roots, Tyrese also acknowledges the areas in which he grew up in, and how that that influenced his style. With brands like Palace and Cortiez rewriting the textbooks for London streetwear. Where Tyrese is concerned, these streetwear brands having majorly inspired his style and the blend between London and Jamaica.

As prior mentioned, Notting Hill carnival has shown to be a great expression of the intersection between fashion and cultural identity. “It’s almost like London showing appreciation to Caribbean culture and the influence it’s had on London.” Carnival becomes a vibrant canvas where empowerment and pride are celebrated between everyone in the welcoming streets of West London.

With the detailed narrative for fashion and music intertwining with cultural blends, Tyrese has given us at Shift a sneaking lens into his experience and how this has shaped his identity as a Black British man navigating the fashion climate.

Meet Josh, a Filipino lad raised in the vibrant streets of northwest London, nestled in a neighbourhood known as Cricklewood. “It’s not the nicest but not the worst area. Fun fact, it used to be a shanty town back in the day (Google it).”

Despite starting his journey in university, Josh took a detour from the academic path, drawn to his passion for music. Dropping out wasn’t a decision made lightly, but something about the structured approach didn’t quite harmonize with his creative spirit.

“It’s important to express and understand other cultural identities as a way to bridge the gap between people. Coming from a place like London I’m used to cultural diversity.

The expression of those from different cultural identities give an understanding of where a person is coming from, both literally and figuratively”

Kyle

“I found myself often searching for culture I related to and being influenced by those around me in the estates in my town. This was stuff like punk and hip hop which made me want to dress I guess like them but in my own kinda way, I’m talking baggy jeans, Nike dunks and graphic T-shirts. I fell in love with the music and the fashion surrounding hip hop in particular”

Cumming

Words By Mimi Francis I grew up in Dorset, where we still have a lot of folk customs and traditions, and my town Dorchester has loads of local history from prehistoric times, Celtic, Roman and Victorian. I’m now a Fashion Journalism BA student at LCF and fashion archivist for Janie Lightfoot Research Collection.

I love appreciating fashion from my favourite designers as an art form, but I like to keep things simple when it comes to my own wardrobe. Unless I find a vintage piece that’s really unique or holds a story, I tend to buy black basics that I can rewear all the time Dorset has a lot of textile traditions, like the Dorset button and Dorset feather stitch, that my Grandma introduced to me when I was a kid. My Grandma was always really involved with the local community and loved all the seasonal customs, and she taught me how to craft from a very young age. It taught me to value the craftsmanship that goes into clothes, and to buy vintage clothes that have a history to them. I suppose that the part of Dorset history my Grandma loved the most was late Victorian - her Grandmas generation - so I find myself wearing a lot of longline tops with gathered low waistlines, as a way to incorporate late 19th-century fashion.

I have a few skirts that my Great Grandma embroidered with Dorset feather stitch, and my Grandma recently trusted me with them. I love wearing proof of all the man hours that went into the clothes, and I know she would be happy that all that work is still being properly appreciated today.

Roots and Threads.