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Does fashion teach us about Black history?

26th September - 03rd October 2025

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63855

Total votes

11922

5-11 votes

51933

11-16+ votes

Every October, we mark Black History Month by encouraging voters to reflect on identity, question the status quo, and celebrate cultural diversity. This year’s theme invited participants to explore the role of clothing and fashion in expressing Black history and highlighting the UK’s vibrant cultural fabric. The timing coincided with global fashion events such as London Fashion Week, where Black influences, past and present, remain a defining feature of style and design. This page presents the results of the vote and examines how young people feel about fashion’s ability to teach us about the past.

Primary 7-11, Secondary, College and 16+ students discussed, "Does fashion teach us about Black history?", while Primary 5-7 voters considered, "Do your clothes show who you are?"

63,855 young people responded to this VoteTopic.

child

Age 5-11 voter

We believe that the contributions of Black people should extend further than just fashion. Rosa Parks has not been remembered for what she wore but rather the stand that she took against discrimination.

teenager

Age 11-16 voter

After the lesson they could see that Black history was everywhere around them. They were all surprised at how many fashion trends they didn't know originated from Black history.

student

Age 11-16 voter

I don't think most people have a good enough understanding of the origin of fashion statements to make those links.

51% of Secondary students said No to the question, "Does fashion teach us about Black history?"

  • 5-7-year olds were discussing the question, "Do your clothes show who you are?" and 70% voted 'Yes'.
  • 7-11-year olds were discussing the question, "Does fashion teach us about Black history?"
  • There was an almost 50/50 split, with slightly over half voting 'Yes'.
Meanwhile, 55% of Primary pupils aged 7-11 disagreed, and said we can learn about Black history through fashion.

  • Secondary, 16+ & College voters were also discussing the question, "Does fashion teach us about Black history?"
  • 55% of Secondary students and 53% of older students voted 'No'.
Many voters were conflicted and felt that we could learn a little bit about Black history through fashion but that it wasn't enough on its own.

  • Young people were conflicted over whether we can learn about Black history through fashion.
  • A common argument was that we can learn some things but that it isn't enough on its own.
  • Others said that the potential to learn is there but that people first need a better background knowledge of fashion and Black history to draw links between the two.
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