UK – Heritage luxury brand Mulberry has teamed up with menswear designer Priya Ahluwalia on its latest collection, championing the symbolism of Afro-Caribbean hair.
For its capsule collection, which comes as part of Mulberry’s 50th anniversary celebrations, the brand’s signature Portobello Tote bag and an assortment of scarves have been reworked to reflect Ahluwalia’s vibrant aesthetic. Each piece in the collection takes influence from the designer’s Nigerian-Indian heritage, capturing her experiences of hair as a means of self-expression and protest. Alongside this collaboration, Mulberry has also announced its decision to sign up to the Halo Code, a set of commitments focused on creating a future without race-based hair discrimination.
‘I hope people who have insecurities about having Afro-Carribean hair, or not having Eurocentric or white hair, get a drop of confidence or feel special or celebrated,’ says Priya Ahluwalia, reflecting on the collection. ‘When I develop ideas and collections I tend to lean towards ideas or concepts around my own dual heritage and London roots.'
As luxury brands begin to recognise the need for greater transparency, the sector is addressing the meaning of heritage beyond its colonial connotations.
