The Women of the World (WOW) Festival took place last week at the Southbank Centre in London. Tickets sold out fast but I managed to get a three day pass. There were so many excellent events taking place that as much as I feel that I made the most of my time at the Southbank, there is a huge amount that I missed. Fortunately, each event was videoed and it is possible to view the sessions on YouTube.
Put WOW in your diary for 2015 – not only because it is the fifth anniversary and there will be some exciting events in store but also because it provides a femalecentric space to discuss issues the wide range of issues and challenges that affect us all. There was a lot of information and inspiration on each day but I was able to take away a single theme from each day.
Friday 7th March, The Squeezed Middle, Speed Mentoring
On Friday I learnt that importance of language in redressing gender imbalance in external environments and .for each woman personally to reframe her language from I cant to I will.
Saturday 8th: The Politics of Afro Hair, Being Mixed Race, Feminism and Privilege
Saturday taught me the importance of not allowing our community to perpetuate stereotypes about ourselves.
The Politics of Afro Hair panel was chaired by Hannah Pool.
Top: Crystal of Crystal Afro and Natalie from Beauty Pulse London Bottom: Angel from Natural Hair Lounge and Sandie, Chief Legal Counsel from HSBC
Being Mixed Race chair Emma Dabiri with panelists
Feminism and Privilege chaired by Yasmin Alibhai-Brown with panellists including Nan Sloane, Reni Eddo-Lodge and Eleanor Lisney
Sunday 9th: Newspaper Review, Vivienne Westwood in conversation with Shami Chakrabarti and The New Black.
Newspaper review featuring Jude Kelly, Doreen Lawrence and Shami Chakrabarti
Dame Vivienne and Shami talked about fashion, the banking industry and climate change
The New Black – Black woman in the media featuring Hannah Riaz and Ikamara Larasi on the panel.
Marketplace – a range of vendors from knickers to manicures
Tirivamwe sources fabrics which are made into clothing and earrings by a collective of women that includes her mother.
Nail designs depicting people of influence.
Woman in Conservation use the Tagua palm nut to create beautiful jewellery.
These lovely ladies rune Yorubatik and Sapelle. They met through WOW and shared a market space over the weekend. I love the way that they supported each other throughout the event and bought beautiful jewellery from both of them!
Batik clothes and jewellery from Yorubatik
Jewellery from Sapelle
Exhibition: JD Okhai Ojeikere Hairstyles and Headdresses. Photographs showing iconic hairstyles and headdresses from seventies Nigeria.
Food Market: Everything I tasted was delicious.
