INFRINGE MAGAZINE Extract:

 From surface levels down to its very structure, hair contains our information; genetic, historic, symbolic. In her SS21 collection Knot, Shashamani Jackson incorporates hair into her designs demonstrating those same characteristics: taking pride in her heritage, resisting against a history of over-policing Black bodies, and, acting as both a catalyst and result of the two, symbolising Black joy. “Knot was birthed and solidified during lockdown, following a great time of racial and civil unrest. The beauty, that I wanted to convey through the story was that despite the darkness surrounding the world right now, there is still love, joy and sisterhood”, the emerging designer elaborates.

Fascinated by the endless creative possibilities of hair, the Wolverhampton-native, with help from her mum, started experimenting with colours and styles from a young age and quickly learned that beyond being complementary to, hair could become a part of an ensemble. Now a second-year knitwear fashion student at Central Saint Martins, Shashamani has channelled her unapologetically joyful vision into successfully fusing hair and fashion design, producing a radiant collection that “seeks to speak life into things.”

What is the essence of Shashamani garments? What do you want people to take away from your work? 

The essence of a Shashamani garment is unapologetic energy. My garments are designed for people to take on life and find joy in that. As a knitwear student, and having the ability to create my own textiles and fabrics, I feel I have more control and range over my garments from the very beginning so I always try to infuse an element of fun energy into the looks, whether it’s through bright colours or manipulating hair. There are so many stories that have not been told yet, I’d like to think I make garments from the untold perspective, one that seeks to speak life into things.