Fashion designer Ioan Bowen-Pickett marks the 40th anniversary of the end of Welsh miner strikes with “the biggest fashion event Wales has ever seen”
On the anniversary of the end of the miner strikes, up-and-coming menswear designer Ioan Bowen-Pickett honours the date by hosting what he calls a “celebration of fashion, culture, and community.”
Bowen-Pickett showed three collections from his label Cambrensis in the atmospheric Cornerstone venue, tucked away on Charles street.
The limited edition collections displayed artwork by Merthyr Tydfil artist Dewi Bowen, the designer’s great uncle.
“His style and theme throughout his life was Welsh heritage, especially mining,” Bowen Pickett said. “He dedicated his whole life to art, his house was head to toe in artwork, like a museum.” Bowen’s art style was illustrative and colourful, capturing scenes from his home town and Welsh culture.
A diverse group of models walked with a miners’ lamp in hand while the Aber Valley Male Voice Choir sang well known Welsh ballads such as Calon Lan. Staying true to Welsh culture, the audience quietly chimed in, filling the Cornerstone venue with music.
Bowen-Pickett’s debut collection, ‘Y Barri’, featured jumpers and t-shirts in earthy shades with mining iconography printed across the chest, such as coal drams and safety lamps.
The second and newest collection, ‘Countermine’, was a collaborative line with artist Nia Jade, who screen-printed the artwork live onto t-shirts during the welcome party. The pieces featured Bowen’s artwork as well as Nia Jade’s tags.
After the show, Nia Jade said, “it’s really good to celebrate Wales and appreciate Welsh fashion and culture.”
The final collection, ‘Merthyr’, complemented its county predecessor with similar designs of mining icons with additional pops of colour, such as a baby blue jacket and a cherry red hoodie. The stand out piece from this collection was the Penydarren jacket, a light jacket complete with metal trimmings and multiple pockets.
Each design was functional, thoughtfully structured and comfortable looking on the male and female models, mirroring essential practicality of miner outfits – with a nod to streetwear style. The limited edition AW24 ‘Countermine’ line can be found on the Cambrensis website.
The event is collaborative, according to Bowen-Pickett: “We are creating our own opportunities. It’s not solely about the brand, everyone is getting something out of [the show].” Other creatives took the chance to shine and support the fundraising event, such as Swansea band Subterrania, who played indie rock to welcome in guests. The show was followed by DJ Katie Owen, who played at the afterparty.
All proceeds from the show went to City Hospice, as Bowen-Pickett explains “City Hospice looks after end-of-life patients, they’re looking after the generation that we’re celebrating.”
The event was hosted bilingually by Radio Cymru presenter Rhydian Bowen Phillips.
Bowen-Pickett formed Cambrensis during lockdown, and established the fashion house in 2022. “I’ve been into menswear since I was really young, about 13, 14,” he says. “It’s been an obsession since then.”
Before the event, Bowen-Pickett predicted, “It’s going to be the biggest fashion event Wales has ever seen. Mainly because no one else is doing it, but I’m going to take that title.”
The event was completely sold out, with everyone from football fans to aspiring fashion students crowding the catwalk.
One audience member commented: “Great night, great cause, great people.”