Exhibtion

We Wear Heritage Exhibition
Brent Civic Centre and Wembley Library
9 April 2025 – 11 June 2025

A Story of Brent Through Its Rich Heritage of Traditional Clothing

This photographic exhibition celebrates We Wear Heritage, an 18-month project led by CVS Brent and funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. In collaboration with 12 partners, the exhibition showcased images that capture Brent’s diverse cultural history.

Over the decades, many communities have made Brent their home, bringing with them their attire, customs, and stories. This exhibition was a tribute to the rich cultural tapestry that makes Brent unique—something we are proud to celebrate.

“Whoever we are, wherever we come from, we all get dressed up.”

Many stories behind traditional clothing remain undocumented, making their preservation increasingly urgent. To address this, we facilitated Create & Share sessions at community organisations and Family Wellbeing Centres across Brent, where residents engaged with traditional attire, created art, and shared their memories. We also recorded the oral histories of 34 individuals, which—alongside historic photographs some donated—are now archived at Brent Museum, ensuring future generations can appreciate this vibrant cultural legacy.

Against the Backdrop of Colonialism

The history of traditional clothing cannot be separated from colonialism. Before colonisation, traditional garments reflected ethnicity, social status, and cultural traditions. However, colonial powers influenced and, at times, suppressed these expressions of identity.

Under British colonial rule, for example, traditional attire was often altered or replaced in favour of Western styles, which were promoted as symbols of progress and modernity. Some community partners explored the extent to which Western influences reshaped local dress traditions—such as those in Indigenous Brazilian, African, and Dominican cultures.

Colouring sheets used by primary school children