Children from across Cardiff have taken part in a first-of-its-kind project which puts a modern twist on the traditional Welsh national dress.
Pictures of children age 7-16, from Ely, Grangetown, Butetown and Riverside, are popping up on billboards across the city wearing costumes they designed to celebrate “a modern day Wales” ahead of St. David’s Day.
The photographs – shot in one of the UK’s oldest Black communities – are the product of a three-year project run by Jukebox Collective, a Butetown-based arts organisation, and Bleak Fabulous, a creative agency which runs workshops with young people.
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“I’ve never seen images of people wearing Welsh costumes that feel modern and actually reflect the people that live in Wales today,” said Lauren Patterson, Strategic Lead at Jukebox Collective.
“I hope people can look at the pictures, see themselves reflected as Welsh, and celebrate what the traditions of Wales look like today”.
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The students took part in workshops on costume design, styling, photography, illustration, and art direction where they were encouraged to explore Welsh pride and identity.
Thirteen-year old Shellema designed her own hat for the project, and her poster appears opposite Cardiff Castle at the top of Queen Street. She said that “it was amazing” to see the billboard in public.
“I was so happy to see it and I feel I have the perfect place beside the castle and museum. I’ve never before been involved in fashion but it turned out to be really fun.”
“I feel more Jamaican than Welsh but from my perspective, being Welsh is about connecting with Welsh heritage.
“What I like to do is go to St Fagans where I feel like I can learn a lot of things about Wales with the old buildings and history they have there.”
On St David’s Day, Jukebox Collective will be selling a limited edition magazine of the pictures at St Fagan’s National Museum.
All sale proceeds will be reinvested into their classes for young people.