Bianca Saunders Unveils '38 Love Lane' Zine Exploring Jamaican Identity
The British designer’s third zine features striking imagey by Kwabena Sekyi, words by Jordan Anderson and a special interview with her mother.
With 38 Love Lane Bianca Saunders announces the release of her third print zine, set to launch this April. Made in collaboration with Amsterdam-based photographer Kwabena Sekyi Appiah-Nti, the multi-modal book explores the nuances of Jamaican identity through striking images of daily life captured in Jamaica, writings by Jordan Anderson, and contributions from the designer’s mother.
Bold and raw images taken by Kwabena Sekyi in Jamaica distill moments in daily life rooted in family, love and community. Two men and their family members are pictured in close embrace, enjoying the natural landscapes, riding on motorcycles, and resting in homes decorated with personal memorabilia.
Juxtaposed with Kwabena’s intimate portraits are personal photos from Saunders’ mother Yvonne’s travels to Jamaica — some printed on crumpled cardstock, others bearing the thick white borders of instant photographs. The introduction written by Jordan Anderson is followed by an interview with Yvonne Saunders, presented in gentle typeface through the remainder of the zine.
Bianca Saunders/Kwabena Sekyi Appiah-Nti,
The cultural dualities explored in Saunders’ deeply personal work further expand upon the themes explored in her apparel collection, including her FW25 presentation “Dichotomy.” Presented in London last January, the collection also drew inspiration from Jamaican life referencing archival Jamaican dance videos characterized by repetition and intricate coordination. In her SS25 runway presentation, the designer explored her cultural roots to synthesize a cross-cultural narrative about Jamaican tourism.
“For me, creating dedicated print projects outside of my collections is about expanding our world beyond fashion,” Saunders tells Hypebeast. “I have aimed for that from the beginning, such as when I did personal politics and created my first zine, and I want to continue that – it keeps me creatively stimulated. It’s an opportunity to explore ideas in a different medium, whether that’s through photography, writing, or curation, while still maintaining the brand’s perspective,” she continued.
To celebrate the collaborative project, Bianca Saunders and Kwabena Sekyi are hosting an in-person launch party at Reference Point in London. Set for the evening of April 10, the local bookshop and bar will host a conversation with Bianca Saunders and Kwabena Sekyi, unpacking the creative process behind the zine.
Limited copies of the project will be available at the launch event (tickets here) and the zine can be pre-ordered online at the Bianca Saunders web store.
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