BETHANY WILLIAMS presented the Spring Summer 2021 All Our Children collection, that celebrates the Magpie Project, an organization that helps children and mothers who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. The collection was inspired by the lives of the people designer met and worked with at the Magpie Project, as well as with the the importance of family spirit in a child’s life. Bethany presented collection with the Spring Summer 2021 video directed by Ruth Ossai, as part of the ongoing London Fashion Week.
SPRING SUMMER 2021 WOMENSWEAR COLLECTION
“Through the process of designing the collection, Bethany included the families that are part of the Project via drawing workshops and playtime, and then teamed up with illustrator and artist Melissa Kitty Jarram on transforming children’s drawings into prints and patterns that became part of the final textiles. “This is a true co-production with the Magpie community and it’s really validating for these women who have previously been disbelieved and unheard, marginalised and ignored to be valued and listened to at the highest level,” explains Jane. As always, 20% of the proceeds from the collection will go back to the Magpie Project.
Part of this outing is also a partnership with the Somerset House – Bethany and Melissa designed a flag that will be erected on top of the House in honour of All Our Children. In addition to the words, the vibrant design of a mother and child on the canvas references the Asafo flags of the Fante people in Ghana that traditionally symbolise warrior-like strength which is in this case assigned to the mothers of Magpie.” – from Bethany Williams
They say it takes a village to raise a child,
But did they tell you that they’ll turn a child away,
Based on their parents postcode,
Or the place their grandfather called home,
A past they did not choose, used to determine their present – Poem by Eno Mfon
Creative Direction – Bethany Williams
Director, Photographer & Filmmaker – Ruth Ossai
Photography assistants: Luke Ossai, Ryan Connolly
Film and Editing – Lorraine Khamali
Poet – Eno Mfon
Stylist – Tallulah Harlech
Illustrator– Melissa Kitty Jarram
Casting – Chloe Rosolek
Music Direction – Benji B
MUA – Rebecca Davenport
Knitwear – Alice Morell Evans
Footwear – Adidas and Helen Kirkum
Corsets – Rosie Evans
Bags – Stevan Saville
Text – Dino Bona?i?
Communication – The Lobby London
Production – Faye Scott-Maberley
Models – Stephanie, Khalani, King, Mariam, Mohammed, Mesk, Melaz, Kemi, Leo, William, AJ, Akuac
Team – Natalie Hodgson, Catriona Macleod, Megan St Clair
Supported by the Adonyeva Foundation
Special Thanks – The Magpie Project, Somerset House Trust, The British Fashion Council, Caroline Rush, Wool and the Gang, ISKO VITAL™+, Orto Print Studio, Molly Evans, Joseph Henry, Eric Williams, Karen Kewley, Natalie Hodgson, Catriona Macleod, Megan St Clair.
Courtesy of ©BETHANY WILLIAMS / THE LOBBY LONDON
