International Fashion Showcase, IFS, Somerset House, London Uk
Commendation for commitment to social impact, co-creation and courage.

The International Fashion Showcase (IFS) nurtures and presents work from the most exciting fashion talent from around the world. IFS culminates with a free public exhibition during London Fashion Week, 11-25 Feb­ruary 2019 at Somerset House, showcasing the work developed by the designers in a compelling series of installations exploring urgent issues and new ideas that are shaping fashion globally.
Colombia was represented by Laura Laurens, who has operated her own label in Bogota since 2016. Laura has been working with a community of trans women, part of Colombia's indigenous Embera People. Laura has workshopped and employed this sector of the community and now has a thriving business with global representation. However her customers do not always get to see this specific and fascinating part of the pro­cess.
The exhibition title is "Wraparound" meaning anything that wraps around. In clothing a way of fixing, holding and covering. Wraparound" was set about to provide an exhibition space which would house Laura's work, allow the trans community to show their clothing, to expose parts of the creative process and provide a base for the community during their visit. The most important part of this project was to bring Vina and Roux to London. Their presence and input seemed increasingly essential to the projects success.
The space in Somerset House, room G17, intended to be multifunctional, flexible industrious, and welcoming. The structure was created using wooden broom handles - familiar, domestic, inexpensive, available. The main focus was on displaying the artisan technique, their beaded work.
During their visit the community were consulted and contributed to the aesthetic of the space which was de­signed to be interchangeable and flexible as possible.

Curator Liliana Sanguino
Photography David Grandorge
Film maker Claudia Fischer
Artesans: Roxana Panchi, Vina Panchi and the indigenous comunity from the Embera- Chami- Resguardo karmata Rua
Partners: Embassy of Colombia in the UK, Revista lnfashion
Supporters: Artesanias de Colombia, ProColom