The Costume Institute of the African Diaspora (CIAD) is a growing resource hub for students, teachers, researchers, designers and anyone with an interest in garments, accessories, textiles or any form of body adornment from Africa and the African Diaspora.
CIAD has been established to advance the study of costume, clothing and textiles from the African Diaspora.We define the African Diaspora as being where African people and people of African heritage reside in significant numbers and have developed cultural practices and customs.
CIAD aims to promote access to costume history and developments in contemporary fashion. We hope to provide the best and most varied opportunities to understanding and studying every aspect of costume and dress from the African Diaspora.
Mission
Our mission is to be the main port of call for information regarding costume, fashion and textiles history, and development from around the African Diaspora.
To provide viable and realistic opportunities for the study of African Diasporan costume, dress and textile history.
To encourage the development of the cradle to cradle philosophy with the teaching and promotion of the three R’s (reduce, reuse, recycle) and how they relate to the creation of textiles, fashion and costume.
To develop a network of organisations and businesses from across the African dispora and in so doing create a mutually beneficial bridge between cultural organisations worldwide.
