PIONEERING THE GAME AND EMPOWERING DUAL HERITAGE WITH NIKE

As an incredible summer of sport nears completion, we reflect on how big sporting events provide an unlock in communities celebrating their interconnected roots. Sport brings people together and the rising generation reject the notion of being split between cultures, and proudly embrace their dual heritage.

Today’s diaspora no longer see themselves as one or the other – we live in a time where nationality contributes to identity as much as ethnicity, however we are not half and half, we are whole and whole.

As one of the most multicultural cities in the world, London is home to a richly diverse diaspora with an unmatched ability to influence the local and global culture of sports. From third spaces to shared colloquialisms, this is the home of blended heritage and nuanced identity.

To celebrate and unite London’s diaspora communities, GUAP magazine and Nike caught up with some London faces who are pushing culture forward, exploring their thoughts on sport as a form of self-expression, what it feels like to see the diaspora win on a global stage and how they’re redefining the terms of their own success. 

The photo series blends elements of traditional cultural heritage with modern athletic apparel, to tell a disruptive story at the intersection of sport and style. Freshly inspired by the summer of sport, our game changers explore new passions and assert their multifaceted identity with pride as they reshape the cultural landscape of London through sport, style, and self-expression.

From Uganda to Brazil, this series captures Tabitha Mary, British-South Asian Model & Content Creator, Scully, British-African Presenter, A&R & Writer, British-European Presenter & Content Creator, FD, British-Caribbean Creative Director & Designer, Sharkkana, and Brazil’s own Lirian Santos, a British-South American Football Freestyler.

“Being both British and Caribbean gives me the ability to mix up both cultures – both of those things are so important to how I am as a person, how I move, my references and it even influences my creative process. It’s something that’s within me and a part of me.”

“To embrace your dual heritage means to talk proudly about all the parts that make you, and to forge your own identity. Your strength is in your uniqueness and I’m happy when people show pride in who they are and where they come from – it creates new perspectives that are always going to push us forward.”

“People always refer to London as being a melting pot and I definitely agree with that, especially being born in Germany and moving over here. I instantly got exposed to so many different people, cultures that I would have never got exposed to if I stayed – it’s beautiful because you get a glimpse into their life. You get to you learn different things from different people and see the world through their lens”

“I think London’s diaspora communities have changed the game – it’s allowed people to be in touch with their culture in this country, but also take it to the countries that they’re a part of. It allows the UK to flourish more than it ever has before.”

“With football we don’t just have one way of playing, in the UK you’ve got to be strong and solid on the pitch. Brazilians tend to play with a lot of flair and be really expressive, so having that kind of mixture adds to the game and different cultures make the sport more exciting.“

From fashion to athletics, the blend of dual heritage identities enriches personal expression and reshapes industries. The stories of individuals like Sifan Hassan and Martine Rose demonstrate how dual heritage inspires innovation to create new narratives.

Born in Ethiopia, raised in the Netherlands, and with Somali roots, Sifan Hassan is a Dutch-Somali, a world-class athlete who has enriched the world of sport with her multifaceted background – contributing to her extraordinary ability to excel in middle and long-distance running, making her one of the most versatile and accomplished athletes in the world completing the historic treble this Summer.

In the world of fashion, trailblazer Martine Rose, a British-Jamaican designer and Nike collaborator, has used her dual heritage to challenge contemporary style. Rose’s impact on fashion extends beyond aesthetics, beyond her blend of traditionally formal British menswear with the rebellious spirit of Jamaican culture – she has become an influential voice for the greater representation of people from diverse backgrounds. Her marriage of fashion and advocacy of diversity and inclusion is a statement of the complexities and fluidity of belonging to more than one culture.

Ultimately, the dual heritage identity in London is not just a reflection of the past but a blueprint for our future. It continues to shape the cultural fabric of the UK across sport, fashion and art, with influential figures stepping into the spotlight to represent a confluence of cultures, and the strengths that come from such diversity.

Discover more from our Fashion section here and our Arts & Culture section here.