“Fashion is a global business and at Paul Smith’s Foundation we’re interested in developing partnerships that celebrate its ability to unify and communicate with people all over the world,” says Paul Smith’s Foundation Director Martha Mosse. “As a creative, it’s easy to become entrenched in a narrow frame of reference, and through this partnership with the British Council and Projekt we were excited to offer our existing network the chance to visit somewhere they haven’t been before, learn new processes and ways of making, as well as business techniques.”

During their time at Studio Smithfield, the visiting designers undertook a bespoke syllabus including expert mentoring on financial planning, pricing and selling, visits to Central Saint Martins and Condé Nast, and tours of manufacturing facilities and key retailers. They also enjoyed workshops in weaving and natural dying, participated in Africa Fashion Week London and were fully immersed in the city’s fashion and arts calendar. The residency rounded out with an open studio where all six designers presented final pieces to industry media and professionals.

“At its core, the programme is about connecting emerging African designers with London’s creative community and providing them with space, mentorship and networking opportunities to develop their practices while keeping culture, craft and individual perspective at the centre,” comments Nick Hartwright, founder and CEO of Projekt. “In addition, all of the designers stayed with us at Green Rooms – our arts-led social enterprise hotel in Wood Green. Me and my team got to spend time with the designers out of hours and show them our city, which allowed them to engage with London beyond the traditional fashion and design circuit.”

Solome Asfaw, whose Afrofuturistic brand Xufan explores the emotions embedded in fashion, was most struck by London’s permissive atmosphere. “It’s very accepting here. You can do whatever you want with fashion and find people who love it,” she says. “That was eye-opening for me because back home in Addis Ababa I can feel like I have to fit in. But here you can celebrate your identity.” This reflection speaks to her final look, a boned corset and pair of elongated pleated trousers inspired by the parallels between formal statues in London and Addis Ababa. “Statues represent the memory of yourself and embracing a new era – by wearing these pieces you can be your true self.”