Our Legacy Through Multimedia Storytelling at V&A Academy
Tuareg Productions celebrate 21 years as a cultural innovation leader, crafting narratives, capturing the dynamic evolution of multicultural Britain. A retrospective of documentaries, exhibition imagery, a monologue, and launch of a new production.
The day will be facilitated by Tuareg’s founder, Lorna Holder, who will lead interactive discussions on the storytelling processes that shape Tuareg’s multimedia productions. It will be of interest to students in film, and documentary making, community television, arts and cultural enthusiasts, care, reminiscence, and heritage professionals who seek insights and tools for improving mental health.
The afternoon will conclude with the launch of Dress to Remember – a dementia-friendly project, developed in collaboration with Tuareg Production and Brent Council’s Libraries, Arts, Heritage, and Outreach Services. This initiative uses family photographs to help individuals with dementia revisit family archives and reconnect with meaningful moments from their past.
Looking ahead to 2025, Tuareg Productions will continue its commitment to dementia awareness through the staging of Dress to Remember – Dementia Awareness Forums, throughout London and the South-East.
Notable productions and projects featured:
Tuareg Productions devised new theatre, literature, documentaries, and exhibitions exploring the challenges of the host nation engaging with new migrant communities by staging its first production Living Under One Roof: The monologues, that debuted at the V&A in 2003 and toured for three years. It introduced a host of industry stars that later became household names including actors Wil Johnson (Spooks), Indra Ove, Samantha McDonald, Leon Herbert, Patrick McKenzie, and Joseph Marcell (Fresh Prince of Bel-Air), and eminent director Sir Horace Ove, and broadcaster Alex Pascall, OBE. Actor Marshia Millar (Top Boy) will perform her monologue based on the original character – Millicent.
Living Under One Roof – the stage play (Performed 2006 – 2009) – dealt with the tensions and celebrations of a disparate group of Caribbeans sharing a house in Nottingham during the 1960s. Actors included BAFTA nominated Cathy Tyson, Nikki Sanderson (Coronation St), Heshima Thompson (Prime Suspect), and Trevor George (Coronation Street).
Homeward Bound (2006) – a short play by Troy Fairclough, directed by Eamonn Walker (Chicago Fire), with Marshia Millar (Top Boy), and monologue written by Lorna Holder, with Theodosia Tadiar, directed by Leon Herbert.
The Ones We Left Behind (2006) – about the decisions diverse communities made when leaving their homelands and the effect on loved ones left behind.
Moving Out (2007) – a unique look at Industrial Nottingham through the eyes of the 1960s Windrush settlers, focusing on their experiences of, and contributions to the local industries of the time.
Building Bridges (2008) – a half hour documentary, that premiered at the British Museum and later televised, examined the experiences of the host community witnessing large groups of Caribbean people arriving in Britain after WW2.
Brighter Days (2011) – Waterstone Nottingham best seller by Vida Theodosia Harris – a book of moving poetry and words of inspiration following the tragic loss of her youngest daughter in the Marchioness disaster on the River Thames, where fifty-one lives were lost on that fatal night of 20th August 1989.
Hanging Out then and now (2012) – a multi-media project exploring youth culture (fashion, music, sports, film, entertainment, and protest) during the 50s and 60s. Included a display, a 50-minute documentary, and hard copy and e-book.
Jamaica Hidden Histories (2012-2015) – a well-received exhibition that unearth Jamaica’s distinctive cultural identity and links to Britain. Through several key historic occurrences, it examines how early social, cultural and environmental influences have shaped notions of identity in multicultural Britain, with a particular focus on the Birmingham community.
Style in my DNA (2018) by Lorna Holder – a publication Celebrating 70 Years of Caribbean Fashion Influence in Britain. Successfully launched at the V&A in June 2018 this informative and essential text represents black cultural history, fashion and identity, an invaluable resource for fashion studies, black studies, Windrush archive studies, research and social history.
Detailed event programme to be announced.
“Ever Evolving” Lecture at Nottingham Business School
Invitation to “Ever Evolving” Lecture at Nottingham Business School, Nottingham Trent University
Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to hear from Lorna Holder, an accomplished fashion designer, producer, writer, and curator. Join us on Wednesday, February 28th, 2024, from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm at Nottingham Business School, Nottingham Trent University, for her lecture “Ever-Evolving.”
In this lecture, Lorna will take us through her fascinating journey of over 45 years in the industry and share her heartfelt process as a professional black woman who took control of her life’s narrative. This is a rare chance to learn from one of the most talented and experienced individuals in the fashion industry.
Dress to Remember
Join us every other Thursday for Dress to Remember; a dementia friendly project led by fashion designer, producer and author Lorna Holder. Using her book ‘Style In My DNA’, Lorna will be helping people with dementia revisit moments in their lives through fashion.
Come along, bring your family photo album and take a trip down memory lane!
Call: 020 8206 7503 or email: [email protected] for more info
In collaboration with:
Hanging Out Caribbean Style
Two films marking the 75th anniversary of Windrush.
UK 2012. Directors Lorna Holder, Yvonne Deutschman. 15min. Digital
These two films, marking Windrush 75, explore the contribution of post-war Caribbean migration to life in the UK. Veteran airman Eddie Noble, the subject of A Charmed Life, inspired Andrea Levy’s Small Island. Here, he tells his real-life story – one of struggle and achievement that stands today as legacy for future generations. Holder’s film vividly highlights youth culture in the 1960s, which took the country by storm. Fuelled by sounds and styles arriving from the Caribbean, it drew together young people from various cultures into a shared space, promoting mutual understanding.
A Charmed Life
A Charmed Life + panel with directors and special guests
by Brent Culture Service
Style in my DNA – American swagger
About this Event:
The archive photographs of Caribbean people arriving on SS Empire Windrush in June 1948 were powerful and captivating. How long did this self-confidence and American swagger last with the new migrants, and are we still defined by what we wear and style? Join Lorna Holder for a talk on her book ‘Style in My DNA,’ documenting 70 years of Caribbean influence on British fashion. Followed by a Q & A and book signing.
About the Author
Lorna Holder has over 40 years of experience as a fashion designer, producer, writer & curator, working in the Middle East, New York, and London. She wrote and produced the Living Under One Roof stage play, the Hanging Out documentary, and accompanying V&A display exploring 1950s and 1960s youth culture. Lorna also curated the acclaimed Jamaica Hidden Histories exhibition.
by Islington Local History Centre
“Lorna Holder: Style in my DNA –
A process in archiving
About this event
It was during the late 1950s in Jamaica, at a very young age, when Lorna Holder first saw the importance of photography. Like many young children left behind in the Caribbean, while parents went to Britain to forge a better life for everyone, the exchange of photographs between Britain and Jamaica kept the families’ bond.
Lorna is now a Fashion Designer, Producer, Writer, and Curator, with over forty years of experience. The style of dress, lifestyle, and social and political history captured in archive photographs and films inspired many of Lorna’s fashion collections and were dominant in her multimedia productions.
Join Lorna Holder for a talk about the importance of archives. She will share her experience and process in collecting and using photographs for her latest book, Style in my DNA. This book, launched at the V&A, documents 70 years of Caribbean influence on British fashion.g.
by Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Libraries
“Style in My DNA” with Lorna Holder (ONLINE TICKET)
“Style in My DNA” with Lorna Holder (IN PERSON TICKET)
About this event
In the 1970s, teenagers of Caribbean descent would declare themselves ‘Black-British’ and assert precisely what that meant to them. For Lorna Holder, this time of significant change would see the young artist take fashion seriously and gain control over her life’s narrative.
Join Lorna for a talk on her book Style in My DNA, documenting 70 years of Caribbean influence on British fashion. Audience will hear about her multifaceted career spanning over forty years and how racial disparities and lack of female in senior positions within the industry did not impact on her achievements.
Followed by a Q&A and a book signing session.