Threads of Identity 

"In a gentle way, you can shake the world." - Gandhi

At the heart of this project lay the concepts of Identity, Power, and Struggle — a journey through time to discover how clothing has been far more than fabric stitched together. It has been a voice, a banner, a shield; a way for individuals and communities to express who they are, to challenge what is, and to dream of what could be.

Through the threads of history, students will explore how fashion has responded to conflict, social movements, and cultural shifts. From the bold declarations of protest through street style, to the quiet resilience woven into everyday garments, clothing has both carried personal stories and ignited powerful change.

Together, we will uncover how fashion has been used to break barriers, to resist, and to empower. Students will investigate how different moments in history — moments of struggle and triumph — have been reflected in what people wore, and why it mattered.

As they delve into the past, students will be invited to create their own designs — garments that tell their own stories, speak their own truths, and embody the values they hold dear. Through creativity and critical inquiry, they will learn that fashion is not just about what we see, but about what we stand for.

This project offers not only a study of history, but a celebration of expression — inspiring young people to see clothing as a powerful medium for identity, resistance, and hope.

Threads of Identity

"We cannot all succeed when half of us are held back." -  Malala Yousafzai 

In our Threads of Identity project, the children have been uncovering how clothing is more than what we wear — it’s how people across history have shared their values, their stories, and their resistance.

Since the last update, we have explored the ways individuals and groups have used fashion as a powerful tool for communication. We’ve studied Frida Kahlo, whose vibrant clothing honoured her Mexican roots and expressed both pride and pain. We’ve reflected on Gandhi’s simple cloth as a symbol of peaceful resistance and independence. We’ve seen how Queen Elizabeth I used rich, commanding dress to project strength and power.

From Tudors to Victorians, from punks to suffragettes, the children have walked through centuries of fashion that spoke without words — garments that carried power, pride, and protest.

For each step of this journey, the children have reflected deeply. They created Tudor-inspired outfits to understand how clothing once defined social roles. They stitched and painted protest patches in the spirit of punk culture, each carrying a message that mattered personally to them. They designed suffragette-style sashes, choosing colours and symbols that represented their beliefs and values.

Each of these pieces has helped them connect history with their own stories.

Now, the journey turns inward.

This week, the children have begun to design a piece of clothing — not just inspired by history, but rooted in their own. Although the stories they’ve studied shape their understanding, this garment is entirely theirs: a chance to show who they are, where they come from, and what they stand for. The colours they choose, the symbols, the shapes and fabrics — all carry personal meaning. It might speak of culture, of challenge, of strength, of dreams. It is a piece of art and identity, stitched with courage and care.

Through this process, the children are not only learning about the power of fashion — they are learning how to express themselves, proudly and purposefully, through the clothes they create.

Threads of Identity

Threads of Identity has been a truly transformative journey. Throughout the project, each child has been given the space to explore and express their beliefs, histories, hopes, and ideas. This process has empowered them to create work that is entirely individual—an authentic reflection of who they are.

The culmination of this journey was not only the opportunity to share their creations with their families at the summer exhibition, but also to invite the wider LWS community to engage with their stories. This sharing sparked meaningful conversations, encouraging others to ask, "Who am I?" and "What do I believe?"

This has been a beautiful and deeply meaningful project. We are incredibly proud of every child’s creative voice and the courage they have shown in expressing it.

We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the families, whose support, encouragement, and presence throughout the project—and especially at the exhibition—have been invaluable. Your involvement has helped make this journey even more powerful and enriching for the children.