Gucci’s Changemaker showcase celebrates new generation voices

Decades of austerity, ravaged funding, and shrinking arts and housing spaces have hit London’s creative community hard. What endures is the capital’s fervent spirit and creative energy – and the passion to share it. “I wouldn't be where I am without some amazing helping hands – people who supported me, nurtured my ideas and my creativity,” says Ronan Mckenzie, the designer behind Selasi, photographer, HOME founder and curator, stylist, and now, a course leader of Gucci’s Changemakers’ inaugural London programme. 

Mckenzie has, through her vibrant and still embryonic career, defied indefinite categorisation. In every aspect of her multidisciplinary practice, she forges authentic connections and community. Sharing that power and access herself, now, is all the more salient. “It's always been important to me at every step of my career to try to hold that door open for others and impart the knowledge that I've learned,” she explains. “I still feel really early in my career, and really young in terms of what I've done and what I've been able to do.”

Gucci’s Changemakers Programme, which first began in 2019, has now expanded into Europe with the launch of the Gucci Changemakers London (with more European editions to come, FYI). The goal has long been to give a voice to the next generation, with funding support to grassroots organisations and offering educational resources to diverse young people.

For this new London chapter and with a multi-year initiative planned, the Italian fashion house has introduced a series of grants to organisations including Art Against Knives, The Advocacy Academy and Rise 365, as well as a full scholarship programme with London College of Fashion (LCF), University of the Arts London (UAL) for creative students facing financial barriers. A major facet of Changemakers’ London roll-out sees Mckenzie lead a series of workshops with young people from the three chosen grassroots groups and Gucci’s scholars from LCF, UAL to co-create artwork for a showcase.

Alongside Mckenzie, Gucci is creating a much-needed space for creative knowledge-sharing, and the championing of collaborative work from young people – a still rare experience, in what can feel like an exclusive, inaccessible industry.

“If the young people who are part of Changemakers can see me, who's also a young person from a similar area, I hope it's inspiring,” says Mckenzie. “It can hopefully show them that their ideas are possible. I hope it can introduce them to other people who are familiar to them, who they recognise and can look up to, and gain insight and support from. That's something that I'm really passionate about being a part of.”

The works are set to be displayed in a London showcase this weekend (9-10 December). This is the first time these creatives have come together as part of Changemakers to publicly display their work. “It's important to have an opportunity to show your work and to have feedback from people outside of those who we know – I think that's really valuable as an artist,” says Mckenzie. Public engagement is vital, she believes, for art’s survival and betterment. “I'm a firm believer that you never know who's looking at your work, and you'll never know where your next opportunity can come from. Giving the public the opportunity to tap into a young generation of creatives is really powerful and inspiring too.”

Gucci gave Mckenzie creative freedom for the workshops’ directions – that meant a ripstop tour of art and making, from creative direction to perfumery, making a dress and using camera equipment. Mckenzie recruited a host of frequent collaborators and peers across mediums like photography, styling, and design: Joy Yamusangie, Ezra-Lloyd Jackson, Ricky Wesley Harriott, Eddie Cheaba, Justin Akomiah, her brother Marcel Mckenzie, and Daphne Milner, as well as Courtney Mitchell (basically, Mckenzie’s right-hand for HOME and Selasi), who led the workshops with her. “It was really special,” she adds.

“I built them based on what I would have liked to have been a part of and the opportunities that I would have liked to have had, and how I would have liked to have been spoken to.” 

With just four sessions to make the artworks you’ll catch on display IRL, there was a lot to cram in. The intensity helped forge important relationships. “I formed a connection with them,” Mckenzie says. “One that means I'm really invested in their futures as well. I'm really looking forward to seeing what they do next.” 

The urgency of such a programme isn’t lost to anyone looking at the dire framework that constricts the creative industries in the UK right now. Grim stats tell us how underrepresented marginalised voices are in the arts, fashion, and culture spaces, and how scarce opportunities to break through are. “The opportunity to have practical experience as well and be guided on how to make work is special,” says Mckenzie. “Having the support in the practical side of things, as well as the emotional, thinking, and creative sides of it is really important. I hope Changemakers grows into a long-standing institution, which really puts creativity and nurturing first, as well as showcasing artwork at its fore.”

Mckenzie herself continues to refine and figure out her own multidisciplinary approach. Whatever stage of your career or artistic practice you’re at, growth is vital.

“I do what feels good, I do what my heart feels is right. I try to follow the curiosity and excitement in my gut, my heart and soul,” Mckenzie says. Specific advice is redundant when everyone’s path to creativity is so very their own. “I don't feel I can tell others how to do it because my journey hasn't always been a smooth one!” she adds. 

“It's a constant reevaluation of what feels good and what excites me, and being open to learning and investing in myself. It very much is the beginning. I think in some ways, some of my creative practices have flourished, but in other ways, maybe they haven't. I think it's always important to see the humanity and the person behind the work, and give someone grace and freedom to do what they like. I'm really trying to be my own best friend in that capacity.”

Gucci’s Changemakers programme will continue into next year, with more opportunities for new, diverse voices in the creative industry.

The Gucci Changemakers showcase, curated by Ronan Mckenzie, will be open to the public 9-10 December