BLACCC Alt Crit: Bianca Saunders ✨
Join us this Wednesday 29th April for our 3rd session at Central Saint Martins
Comrades!
Before we jump in, a huge thank you to everyone who has joined us for the first two sessions - for your presence, openness, and generous, thoughtful contributions. It’s been powerful to begin shaping these spaces together.
We’re really feeling the impact of these alt crits already and have been moved by the responses:
“Thank you for the deeply nourishing vessel you have co-created.”
“The space was so affirming and encouraging… I left feeling energised, inspired, and challenged.”
“I felt heard and seen… it was magical, almost otherworldly. I have no words to describe it.”
Hearing this affirms why BLACCC exists and reminds us how necessary these kinds of spaces are.
We’re continuing to build a series of critique spaces grounded in care, cultural awareness and our lived experience.
Also, based on your requests, we’re starting an Instagram group chat to keep the alt crit conversations going! Follow us on Instagram and DM us to join the chat.
We’re delighted to invite you to our 3rd BLACCC Alternative Crit at Central Saint Martins.
BLACCC Alt Crit: Bianca Saunders
🗓 Wednesday 29th April 2026
⏰ 2–4pm
📍 Central Saint Martins, D111 (London)
🎟 Booking required (free)
What is BLACCC?
BLACCC (BLK Art Collective CSM) is a student-led initiative founded by us - Dionne Elizabeth and Huguette Tchiapi Kameni - as past students of the MA Fine Art and BA Fashion programmes at Central Saint Martins.
We created BLACCC in response to long-standing disparities in critique and feedback experiences for Black students across UAL.
Too often, cultural context is misunderstood, overlooked, or left unexplored - impacting confidence, development, and sometimes outcomes.
BLACCC reimagines the crit with care at its core.
Our sessions centre Black students, while welcoming a wide range of practices and approaches. We aim to create spaces that are:
– culturally attuned
– supportive and rigorous
– non-competitive and consent-led
About this session
This session takes the form of a workshop + critique space, facilitated by us alongside our guest mentor.
You’re welcome to join as a presenting artist or as an observer.
Across the session, we’ll move through:
– an introduction and conversation with the guest mentor
– space for questions and dialogue
– three artist feedback sessions (reply to this email if you’d like to be considered as a presenting artist)
– a short break
– time to connect and network
As always, the space is shaped by collective care rather than hierarchy.
Food will be provided.
Guest mentor: Bianca Saunders
We’re honoured to welcome Bianca Saunders.
Bianca Saunders launched her London-based namesake label in 2017. The brand explores the nuances between tradition and modernity, intricately navigating the seamless blending of masculine and feminine elements in its design ethos.
Crafting an aesthetic that delves into the psychology of men’s tailoring, with the aim to usher in a modern, reinvigorated evolution of menswear and beyond.
With a growing circularity responsibility, the brand works with repurposing dead-stock and regenerative materials to ensure environment is a key focus.
Bianca has received numerous accolades, including the BFC/GQ Designer Fashion Fund (2024) and the New Establishment Menswear Award (2023).
Who is this for?
– Black students at CSM
– Students working on or recently completing a project
– Those seeking culturally responsive feedback and dialogue
– Artists across disciplines: fine art, fashion, design, film, architecture, writing, and beyond
Practical details
– Free to attend
– Booking required
– Limited places for presenting artists and observers
🎟 Book your place via Academic Support
Looking ahead
We’re continuing to build this offering.
If this feels aligned, we’d love for you to:
– attend
– share this with someone who might benefit
– subscribe for updates on future sessions
If you’d like to suggest a mentor, we’re always happy to oblige - these are shaped for us and by us and we want you to feel part of it. Comment below or hit reply to let us know your suggestion.
With care,
Dionne & Huguette
Co-founders, BLK Art Collective CSM (BLACCC)
📷 Instagram: @blkartcollectivecsm
📮 Subscribe: blaccc.substack.com