Ozwald Boateng Celebrates Black Excellence With A Grand Homecoming Spectacle in London

After a 12-year hiatus, British-Ghanaian designer Ozwald Boateng returned to London Fashion Week with a live show last night. “I wanted to celebrate the contribution of Black British culture in this country,” he said in a preview ahead of the presentation. Bringing together the worlds of fashion, music, and art into one grand spectacle—including actors Idris Elba and Nicholas Pinnock, and musicians Goldie, Dizzee Rascal, Pa Salieu, and Kojey Radical—it was a star-studded affair that celebrated Black excellence. 

The event—which was undoubtedly a London Fashion Week highlight—took place at the grandiose Savoy Theatre, where hundreds of guests from across creative industries gathered to witness a moment for the history books. There was drumming, trumpeteers, a cappella, and dancing amidst color-coordinated vignettes of runway fashion moments. It was an eclectic display, to say the least, and the energy in the room was electric. “I’ve always used my creativity as a language of communication,” said the 54-year-old designer. “But, this time, I wanted to go further than just the fashion, and show my appreciation to everyone who’s made an impact in fashion and beyond.”