Higher Potential
Nationality / Culture: UK/ Caribbean Youth, 70s/80’sProject Summary
Made in Brent Music and Fashion of the 1970’s / 80’s. Clothing that influenced rap, hip hop, soul, funk
Heritage Focus
To explore the heritage of when music and fashion came together to influence the clothing/fashion worn by young Caribbean people in the 1970s’/80’s.
Drawing on past Caribbean fashion these young people mimicked the style of the Windrush generation of menswear, which included wearing trilbies, beaver hats, tailored made suits, tonic suits, cashmere coats. Style, image and presentation were essential parts of our identity as young adults.
Their lifestyles were fuelled by music and fashion. The 1970s’/80’s generation influenced rap, hip hop, soul, funk and other music genres. People dressed in different clothing styles according to the music they followed, e.g. reggae, soul. We want to hear the stories of that generation to inform youth culture of today. We also want to promote sustainable fashion highlighting the importance of preserving the clothing.
Project Description
This project set out to collect stories from the 1970s and 1980s generation, aiming to recognise their contributions to clothing styles and explore what inspired them about Windrush-era fashion. It also
sought to preserve images and photographs of garments from that period, with the intention of conserving them for future generations, including possible deposit in the Brent Museum archives.
Alongside this heritage work, the project delivered workshops on sustainable fashion practices, teaching participants how to upcycle clothing through techniques such as darning, mending, and sewing using environmentally friendly materials.
Credit: Photographer Robson Denian Mateus
Credit: Photographer Robson Denian Mateus
Outcomes and Impacts: Higher Potential
The Higher Potential project affirmed the deep connection between fashion, music, identity, and heritage within Brent’s African Caribbean community. What began as a celebration of personal style evolved into a reflection on dignity, ageing, and resilience.
For the project leader and others, fashion remained a vital expression of pride and identity, even in later life. As one participant explained, “We were the kids who were unemployed, but we still aspired to live in that world of style.”
The project also offered a rare opportunity to challenge stereotypes around ageing and illness. The community leader, who lives with dementia, shared: “I’ve got dementia, but I still feel good about my images… They think we don’t live well, but we do. We’re really, really into fashion”.
This reframed assumptions about how older people, especially those with health conditions, engage with heritage and self-expression.
Intergenerational connection emerged as a key theme, particularly during a conversation at Cricklewood Community Centre when a young man joined the discussion. His enthusiasm highlighted the continued relevance of fashion and music for younger generations. “The music we listened to made us stand tall, even when things were tough,” reflected the project leader, underlining how fashion and music are inseparable in shaping identity.
The project also illuminated systemic barriers to participation. The community leader reflected on a life shaped by conflict with authority, saying: “The people we need to communicate with never show up – mainstream, council, local government. We just don’t show up.”
Yet through the encouragement and flexibility of We Wear Heritage, their story was heard and valued. Higher Potential validated the lived experiences of its participants, reinforcing that heritage is not just about the past but about honouring lives lived with style, creativity, and joy. “Seeing images of yourself growing up, looking well, looking elegant and joyful… It assigns value to your life.”
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