PROJECTS & COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
At S.H.A.C.E., we are committed to empowering underrepresented and disadvantaged creatives by opening doors to mainstream and commercial opportunities. Through our tailored training programs, one-on-one mentorship, and direct industry connections, we equip participants with the practical skills and professional confidence they need to pitch, produce, and profit from their work. From community workshops that build foundational expertise to commissioned projects with commercial partners, we create pathways for emerging talents to move seamlessly from the studio into the wider fashion, costume, and creative markets.
We are launching a new series of "Beyond Fabric: Crafting Textures for Carnival & Couture" Workshops in the UK, beginning 1 November, designed to teach participants the specialist skills required to achieve high-end costume finishes using sustainable principles and upcycled materials.
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Under Melissa Simon-Hartman’s creative direction, attendees will learn advanced decorative and surface design techniques that will directly contribute to the creation of spectacular costumes bound for Trinidad Carnival 2026. The workshops offer an inspiring and inclusive space for creativity, innovation, and cultural exchange within the UK carnival community.
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We are actively seeking investors and funders to expand this initiative by offering two talented local carnival artists a residential learning experience in Trinidad, where they will gain first-hand insight into the behind-the-scenes operations of a multiple award-winning carnival band.
As part of our commitment to inclusion and creative accessibility, S.H.A.C.E occasionally offers sponsored seats to selected local participants through community partnerships and pilot programmes. These initiatives allow emerging creatives to gain valuable training while helping us evaluate and develop our workshops for future public offerings.
TRINIDAD CARNIVAL 2026
THE NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM
We partnered with the Natural History Museum to deliver a series of “Redefining Fashion: Future Threads” workshops designed especially for young people in the local community.
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In collaboration with NHM scientist Krisztina Lohonya,
Melissa Simon-Hartman led hands-on sessions that taught inventive upcycling and textile-manipulation techniques using recycled Levi’s jeans rescued from landfill.
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Drawing inspiration from natural NHM specimens such as moss, shells, and butterflies, participants learned to translate these organic forms into fabric textures and embellishments. Their creations contributed to a culminating fashion editorial piece celebrating sustainable design and scientific discovery.
We were thrilled to embark on a partnership with an established carnival band in preparation for Miami Carnival 2025, giving S.H.A.C.E. students the opportunity to develop prototype costume designs for an international stage.
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Under Melissa Simon-Hartman’s creative direction, a select group of emerging costume makers explored the full process of professional costume prototyping, from concept development and material selection to decorative execution and presentation.
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Through this experience, participants gained industry-relevant skills, built confidence in managing timelines, and refined techniques for high-impact design production. The initiative strengthened S.H.A.C.E.’s mission to nurture global creative excellence and prepare artists for international opportunities.
MIAMI CARNIVAL 2025
SOMALI VOICES ENABLED
In partnership with Somali Voices Enabled, a charity providing
a safe space for Somali women and young ladies who have endured trauma from war, displacement, prejudice, and domestic abuse, S.H.A.C.E. delivered bespoke sewing workshops.
Sponsored by the UKCCA, which generously donated dead-stock fabric for the project, the sessions were led by mentor Remeaise Irish-Downes, teaching beginner sewing skills, alongside visiting tutorials by Melissa Simon-Hartman on intermediate sewing techniques.
Together, the group upcycled and transformed a donated dress which was worn by a flag bearer at the Commonwealth anniversary ceremony in London, March 2025. Through this collaboration, participants gained practical garment-making abilities and newfound confidence in their creative skills.