Andrew Ibi: POWER UP Industry Professional
Bio: Andrew Ibi is a cultural commentator, curator, DJ, educator and creative director whose practice explores the relationship between Black British music, fashion and visual culture. Working across research, public programming and live performance, he examines how Black cultural production shapes British identity, positioning music as a site of authorship, memory and social change. Beginning his career in international fashion design and consultancy, Andrew has combined industry experience with academic research to develop interdisciplinary approaches to cultural practice. He has held senior leadership roles in higher education, co founding FACE Fashion Academics Creating Equality, a national initiative addressing racial inequity within creative education. His work consistently bridges scholarship with public engagement, translating critical research into accessible cultural platforms. Andrew is the curator of The Missing Thread: Untold Stories of Black British Fashion at Somerset House, a landmark exhibition that explored the relationship between Black British style and music cultures including reggae, lovers rock, jungle, grime and drill. He is also the founder and co curator of The Jazz Carnival, celebrating jazz, fashion and Black creative expression, and has contributed to Jazz FM’s awards selection process. His collaborators include Casely Hayford, Ozwald Boateng, Bianca Saunders, Nicholas Daley, Steve McQueen, Jazzie B, Eileen Perrier, Jenny Baptiste and Ajamu X. Through POWER UP, Andrew will develop new platforms that connect music, fashion and art from a Black British perspective, creating opportunities for emerging talent while building sustainable cultural infrastructure that places Black British music at the centre of the nation’s creative future.
Concise Description of activity: A new Black British music and fashion festival featuring live performances, designer showcases and networking, celebrating creativity, collaboration and the next generation of cultural talent.