Windrush Women’s Journey Through Fashion: Photo Exhibit
Photos and Fashion by: Jana Ally
Jana is a mixed Indo-Guyanese and Egyptian Muslim and is breaking barriers through the intersection of her art and research. From sharing the underrepresentation of the Indo-Caribbean Windrush generation to depicting the journey of Indo-Caribbean womxn through fashion to her family’s contributions to establishing the first Indo-Caribbean mosque in the UK, we are so honoured to present our first ever virtual photo exhibit featuring Jana's extraordinary work.
Artist Statement:
The shoot took place in an 1800 inspired building with various influences of both western and Asian culture. Pictures of both white men and brown men hung side by side as if perfectly alluding to the topic of the shoot itself. The collection was for and about the brave women who continuously uprooted their lives in hopes for a better tomorrow. With historical context these were extremely brave acts. With this collection I hoped that I successfully drew influence to all the environments our ancestors came into contact with whilst also revealing a telling experience about my life as a Muslim Indo-Caribbean woman, looking into the past, the present, my perception of India and what it means to be Indo-Caribbean.
About the Artist:
Jana is a twenty-three-year-old designer that believes fashion and clothing should be a reflection of our current social and political environment, a means of how we self-identify.
“Identity is a subject that I have struggled a lot with growing up in multicultural London. I am half Indo-Guyanese and if you’re familiar with the Indo-Caribbean ethnic group, you’ll probably understand why this is a struggle.”
Jana has been featured in Sukeban Magazine, Reader's Digest and on a mixed-race platform, Halu Halo. In 2019 she was presented the award for Excellence In Leather by Stuart Weitzman due to her graduate collection based on Indo-Caribbean heritage at London College of Fashion. Since then she has started her podcast 'Sae' which looks to explore and educate her audience on different experiences. Lastly, Jana is the founder of the soon-to-be affordable, sustainable and ethical accessories brand, Holda. Holda uses design to talk about social and political topics and allows women to consciously wear their morals on their sleeves.
The Bhawan List is useful for anyone trying to learn about different well-known buildings and their locations in India.
The Hindi Grammar section gave me a clearer idea of how basic grammar rules are used in everyday writing.
This is a fascinating photo exhibit because the clothing carries so much meaning beyond its visual design. I especially liked how Jana Ally incorporates Indo-Caribbean heritage, migration, family history, and personal identity into the collection through details such as Zardozi embellishment and patterns inspired by indentureship certificates. The idea of placing those historical references inside the garments as something kept “close to our hearts” is particularly powerful. I also appreciate how the collection brings together Indian, Caribbean, Western, and Syrian influences to reflect the multicultural experience of London. Fashion can preserve memories and communicate identity in a deeply personal way. In a similar sense, a thoughtful perfume brand can use cultural inspiration and storytelling to create fragrances that feel connected to…
This is such a meaningful fashion exhibit because it shows how clothing can carry history, culture, identity, and personal memories. I especially liked how Jana Ally connects Indo-Caribbean heritage with Indian influences, Western fashion, Zardozi craftsmanship, and the experiences of migration. The details incorporated into the garments make the collection feel much more personal than simply being about aesthetics. It’s a great example of how fashion can communicate a story without words. In a similar way, perfume brands in Pakistan can also reflect cultural influences and personal identity through distinctive fragrance styles and traditions.