Our Story

This project started with exploring the idea of my own cultural identity. My grandparents moved from Cyprus to London in the 1950’s in the hope of a better life. The Cypriot community played a massive part in the rag trade during this time. With many of my peers grandparents having a similar story. 95% of the Cypriot women that came over were seamstresses.

Inspired by my summers each year as a child in Cyprus to visit them, I have a deep-rooted connection with the island. The collection was to explore the contrasting elements from my upbringing in London and my Cypriot heritage and investigate how their distinctive qualities can be merged together. The subject of cultural identity feels especially relevant in postcolonial London. Therefore, a particular goal for my collection was to represent my own cultural identity as a British-born Cypriot.