"Face Forward…into my journey": A professional workshop for fashion designers with a migrant background, organised by Nicosia 2030 and Frederick University
.
Nicosia 2030, candidate for European Capital of Culture, is partnering with the Department of Arts and Communication of Frederick University, to host a professional workshop titled "Face Forward …into my journey" on 7 and 21 February 2025. This workshop is part of the broader "Face Forward …into my home" programme, which is featured in the Parallel Programme of the 5th Nicosia International Festival.
The "Face Forward...into my home" program consists of interactive workshops and a photography exhibition of the same name displaying portraits of participants along with their personal stories. In the framework of the workshops, participants were encouraged to brainstorm on emotions, memories, hopes, and expectations inspired by artworks from the collection of the National Museum of Contemporary Art (EMST) and the Cypriot collection of the State Gallery. These collections include artworks related to migration and other contemporary themes. The initiative was kickstarted with the launch of the photography exhibition by Yiannis Kourtoglou on October 10, 2024.
A fashion designer from Togo participating in the programme led to the organisation of the impressive African Fashion Show, where nine fashion designers with a migrant background and two Cypriots presented their creations, highlighting the power of fashion as a means of expression and integration. As an extension of this fashion show, the experiential workshop "Face Forward …into my journey" was specifically designed to support the professional development of these nine fashion designers with a migrant background. The workshop’s primary goal is to enhance the designers’ skills and prepare them for the highly competitive fashion industry.
Through this five-section workshop, participants could refine their knowledge of fashion design, receive training in sustainable design principles, and build their confidence. Additionally, the workshop touches upon essential topics such as the establishment and development of a fashion brand, as well as its modern marketing strategies.
Doris Kailos, Lecturer at the Fashion and Image Design programme; Costas Mantzalos, Victoria Leonidou and Christiana Constantinou, faculty members at the Visual Communication programme; and Dr Anna Mary Economou, faculty member of the Interior Design programme undertook the implementation of the five thematic sections of the workshop respectively. This collaboration has given prominence to the significance of fashion as a tool for empowerment and social integration, by offering participants invaluable knowledge and resources for their future careers in the fashion industry.
Festival Identity
Organisers: Municipality of Nicosia, Nicosia For Art
Institutional sponsor: Deputy Ministry of Culture, Republic of Cyprus
Media sponsors: DIAS Publishing House, SIGMA TV, LOVE FM
Sponsors of Face Forward …into my home in Cyprus: European Funds Unit of the Ministry of Interior, Asylum Service of the Deputy Ministry of Migration and International Protection, Embassy of Greece in Cyprus, European Commission Representation in Cyprus United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Cyprus (UNHCR), Social Welfare Services (YKE) of the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare nad Press and Information Office.