Jawara Alleyne Is Kicking Off Carnival With A Pop-Up

Back in May, Tate Britain unveiled an ambitious new commission by Alvaro Barrington, titled ‘GRACE’, featuring a collaboration with designer Jawara Alleyne. A meditation on lineage and the history of the Caribbean diasporic experience, the creative forces explored notions of identity and refuge across mediums. Bonding over their Caribbean roots, the artist and designer are once again teaming up, this time for Notting Hill Carnival with a pop-up.

The origins of the Notting Hill Carnival can be traced back to the Caribbean, particularly Trinidad and Tobago's traditional carnivals, which were brought to the UK by Caribbean immigrants. In the post-World War II era, a large number of Caribbean people, especially from the British colonies, migrated to the UK to help rebuild the economy. Among them were many from Trinidad and Tobago, a nation with a deep-rooted tradition of carnival celebrations.

However, the Caribbean immigrants faced significant racial discrimination and hostility in Britain, particularly in London. The situation came to a head with the Notting Hill Riots in 1958, which were sparked by racial tensions between the white working-class residents and the newly arrived Caribbean community.

While the 1970s and 1980s saw Notting Hill Carnival grow in size and prominence, it’s the event's rebellious roots that inspire Alleyne. Like Carnival, the designer’s own practice is rooted in culture and community. In our Re-See series, he told SHOWstudio how the motifs of the punk movement have trickled into his imagining of Caribbean design. Looking to celebrate these aspects of Carnival, Alleyne and Barrington’s pop-up is set to be a culmination of rebellion, community, and music.

The pop-up will be held at Alvaro Barrington HQ and will feature capsule collections by Alleyne. This includes a collaborative series of T-shirts in support of the Notting Hill Carnival Trust. A collection inspired by the Tate commission, titled ‘Untitled: The Grace Edition,’ pays homage to the DIY philosophies of punk.

This collaboration between Barrington and Alleyne is a powerful reminder of how art can be a medium for social commentary and cultural celebration. By intertwining their personal histories with the broader narrative of Caribbean identity, they create a space where past and present converge, offering a fresh perspective on the enduring legacy of the Caribbean diaspora in London. Their pop-up is not just a fashion statement but a bold cultural declaration, embodying the rebellious, unifying spirit of Notting Hill Carnival.

Jawara Alleyne and Alvaro Barrington's Notting Hill Carnival pop-up will take place for one day only at Alvaro Barrington HQ (179-181 Whitechapel Road, E1 1DN) on 24 August.