To Me, You Are Beloved! A creative series capturing the essence of Black British identity

Black British Experience: Gucci, A Vibe Called Tech and Roundtable Collaborate

Composer Djenaba and her daughter, singer-songwriter Lisa

Vivid and captivating, a moment in time has been recreated by four sets of Black British creatives and entrepreneurs, incorporating pieces from the Gucci Beloved collection.

The creatives were invited to delve into archival family photographs and fond memories to re-create their moment in time highlighting Black British identity, inheritance and family history. Charlene Prempeh, Founder of a Vibe Called Tech said that, “We’ve all had to spend too much time away from the people we love, so in this moment, celebrating the bonds and connection we have with family felt particularly pertinent.”

The talent used were singer-songwriter and performer K Soul, who chose a family photo with Lady Phyll, her mother who incredibly founded Black Pride. Musicians Brian Nasty and Joviale, recreated a photograph of their mother and uncle. The musical mother-daughter duo, Djenaba aka Damsel Elysium and Lisa Elde were also captured and chose to delve into their family photo album for their inspiration. Miss Jason, internet personality and host of his own show was shot in a family ensemble. “There is a lot of emphasis placed on the struggles faced by Black families in the UK but there’s also an abundance of joy and love that deserves attention,” commented Charlene Prempeh while Wase Aguele, Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Roundtable, said that the aim through recreating old family photos was to “create space to talk about Black identity and history in a fun way.”

Alongside the iconic and definitive photographs, four black women writers, admired and know by the Roundtable journal were invited to pen essays which carry alongside the photographs and comment on and highlight the themes raised in each set. Wase Aguele commented on how important it was to them at Roundtable to have the project led by young, black women, fairly new in their careers. Helping build talented young women’s careers while creating a project that makes people feel seen, in a fun and exciting way.

The Gucci handbags featured in the photographs from the Gucci Beloved line, nod to the House’s past and the way in which it’s defined. The line features the Dionysus from the the Pre-Fall 2016 Womenswear collection. GG Marmont which showcased for the first time in the Pre-Fall 2016 Womenswear collection. The bag design was inspired by a buckle used by Gucci in the 70s, the double G, which is now the houses most recognised symbol. The Gucci Horsebit 1955 which first appeared in the Cruise 2020 collection, was inspired by a study of an archival piece dating to the eponymous year, reinterpreted for a contemporary customer. The Jackie 1961, which also showcased in 2020 but at the Autumn/Winter show. This was a style that became iconically paired with the jet setting style of the 60s/70s. First designed in 1961 as the Jackie Hobo bag the style went on to be re-designed several times.

Focusing on a contemporary way of taking elements from the Gucci archive, Alessandro Michele has created styles that are to be used and worn over again, which will transcend through seasons and remain inherently Gucci. This element and passion for the line goes hand in hand with the idea of style and identity passing down through generations.

Check out the trailer for the ‘To Me, You Are Beloved’ series below. You can see more from the series here and shop the collection here:

CREDITS

Photography - Delali Ayivi

Creative Direction - Wase Aguele

Art Direction - Zoe Alakija

Project Coordination - Nicolle Nyariri

Styling - Simone Konu Rae

Set Design - Bubby Nurse

Make Up - Michelle Leandra

Hair - Karla Quinonez Leon

Manicurist - Corrinna Bianca

Lighting - Nathan Ford