BARWANY

Summer 2023, Barwany releases their debut graduate collection which centres around themes of dissociation from family heritage and identity. Inspiration for the collection is drawn from old sepia-toned family photos of Zanzibar from the 90s, and memories from a single visit in 2014. The materials used throughout the collection subvert traditional conventions, with an embellished evening dress made entirely from denim and a unique scale fabric developed specially for the collection. The silhouettes are reminiscent of large shells found on the beaches of Zanzibar. The sculptural forms and use of innovative materials combined with pin tucks that emphasise these shapes, create a starting point for Barwany's brand identity of the same name. The feelings of loss, otherness and abandonment, that result from Barwany's unexpected estrangement from his father, have been translated into beautiful creations that tell his story.