The Story Behind My Caribbean Cultural Style docu-film explores the Dominican heritage of British-born Madras enthusiast turned designer, Jennifer Laurent-Smart. A follow-up to Jennifer’s Cultural Style Week campaign video, this documentary delves deeper into her Creole Caribbean roots, the story behind her culture and its expression through her fashion. Jennifer also shares her views on the origin of Creole Caribbean traditional Madras clothing, its links to India, Africa and its use today.

“This project has provided me with a wonderful opportunity to share my love of the beautiful Madras fabric and my Caribbean cultural heritage while recognising the importance of it as a golden thread, which has evolved to link and unite many different groups of people across many different continents. Within both the Caribbean and African diaspora our past and present have meaning and significance beyond the narrative we are taught. We are a strong, resilient, culturally rich and diverse people with a past worth remembering, a present worth celebrating and a vision for the future worth sharing.” – Jennifer Laurent-Smart

Jennifer is also joined by additional interviewees of Creole Caribbean heritage across generations including eleven-year-old Adanaya Omari-Hakim and eighty-year-old Arthur Laurent who share some of their touching and insightful personal stories and views on the connection between cultural fashion and their identity.

“I am from a mixed background and this film project helps people like me learn more about our culture and share it with the world. I feel so proud of my culture. My grandparents come from Dominica, Barbados, Nigeria and England.” – Adanya Omari-Hakim, 11 years old

Other interviewees include Esther Fadelle Morris of the Waitikubuli Culture and Tourist Initiative, Marcus Monrose, Alisha Laurent-Smart, Germaine Conteh, Sylvester Defoe and Camille Martial from United Kreyol Mas carnival band.

“During Jennifer’s Cultural Style Week video, her enthusiasm for her heritage was abundantly clear, making her the perfect candidate for the production of ‘The Story Behind My Caribbean Cultural Style’. This docu-film will help showcase the importance of Caribbean heritage to new audiences across the globe.” – Candy-Ellie Graham, docu-film director.

The Story Behind My Caribbean Cultural Style premiere screening event will feature a post-screening Q&A event with subject relevant panel members also inviting the audience to discuss and share their thoughts on the screening and views on the future of Caribbean traditional wear and why the Caribbean diaspora has not embraced their cultural clothing in a similar vein to Asians and Africans.

The screening and Q&A will be hosted by Jacqueline Shepherd, the BBC talk show host of the popular radio programme ‘The Scene’, which uncovers London’s diverse culture and emerging talent.

Following the live premiere and discussion, the docu-film will also be available online towards the latter part of 2022, providing an educational and celebratory resource for all.

Tickets available here

Support The Crowdfunder – Cultural Fashion & Arts still needs your help to bridge a funding gap for this first-of-its-kind project and is encouraging those interested to donate here.