Fashion: Street Style vs. Mainstream

Creativity in the Age of Labels & Influencers

This talk forms part of Design District’s Creative Conversations series, taking place at Urban Village Fete in Salon on 18 May 2025.

Once a symbol of grassroots rebellion and individuality, street fashion has evolved—now shaped as much by global brands and influencers as by the people on the ground. But in an era of branded aesthetics, curated feeds, and algorithm-driven trends, can authentic self-expression still thrive?

This panel explores how the fashion industry both empowers and restricts creativity, questioning whether today’s style movements are truly community-led or brand-engineered.

Meet the Panellists

Host: Robert Elms

Broadcaster, writer and proud Londoner, Robert Elms has spent decades capturing the spirit of the capital. His long-running BBC Radio London show is a love letter to the city—celebrating its music, culture, history and ever-evolving style.

From documenting the ‘80s creative scene for The Face to penning four books including The Way We Wore, Elms continues to shape and reflect London’s cultural landscape.

This year, he returns to Urban Village Fete as host of Creative Conversations in Design District—leading a day of thought-provoking talks with some of the city’s most exciting creative voices.

Max Bryder

Max Bryder is a London-based fashion designer and founder of BRYDER—a label known for merging utility with a modern aesthetic. With a focus on innovative textiles and refined workwear silhouettes, his designs bring function and style together in quietly bold ways.

At Creative Conversations, Max brings his perspective on contemporary fashion, creativity and the role of design in everyday life.

Clara Chu

Clara Chu is a London-based artist and designer whose namesake brand turns the everyday into the extraordinary. Known for transforming household items into vibrant fashion accessories, her work blends pop art with purpose—challenging fashion norms and raising awareness around waste.

Winner of the Young Designer Award from Climate Change All Change, Clara is currently collaborating with London schoolchildren to imagine more sustainable futures through design.

Wayne Hemingway

Designer and social entrepreneur Wayne Hemingway is co-founder of HemingwayDesign—a multi-disciplinary studio known for projects that put community and positive impact at the forefront. Alongside his wife and creative partner Gerardine, Wayne has spent decades shaping places and experiences that bring people together.

A founding force behind Urban Village Fete, he’s also the co-founder of Charity Super.Mkt—an award-winning concept redefining second-hand retail and raising millions for good causes. Wayne brings a lifelong commitment to good design, grassroots enterprise and bold, community-led change.

Topics include:

• The Origins of Street Fashion – How subcultures shaped global trends.
• Labels & Influence – The fine line between inspiration and appropriation.
• The Social Media Effect – Is creativity thriving or getting lost in the algorithm?
• Reviving Individuality – How to reclaim personal style in an age of mass influence.

Join us as we unpick the evolution of street fashion, exploring its past, present, and future in a world where expression meets commerce.

Your ticket comes with 1 x non-alcoholic drink from Bureau Restaurant. Make sure you check into the talk early, retrieve your drink token, then grab your drink before finding a seat.