Ahluwalia x Mulberry – London Fashion Week

LVMH Prize 2020 Finalist designer Priya Ahluwalia presented her SS22 collection and latest collaboration with Mulberry as part of this digital London Fashion Week.

The short film featuring the collection, “Parts of Me”, was directed by Akinola Davies Jr, in collaboration with Mulberry, and takes us through a meditative journey (helped by a beautiful soundtrack from Kelly Moran) through the beauty and rituals surrounding Black and Brown Hair. The designer, who is of mixed Nigerian-Indian heritage, wanted to celebrate Afro-Caribbeam hair’s artistry, its symbolism and the importance it holds from an identity and cultural perspective.

60s and 70’s Black liberation protest symbols of pride such as an afro comb and braided hair silhouettes are purpose-made into embroidery badges that adorn the pieces throughout the collection.

The designer’s signature wave-like designs, braid inspired, are everywhere, through various textile techniques such as printing, dyeing, and embroidery.

The colour palette revolves around a palette of baby blue, beiges and browns.

The collection is accompanied by the Ahluwalia & Mulberry collaborative bags, with patterns also inspired by braids and cornrows, and printed cowboy boots and brogues that are to die for.