The Birth of Cool: Style Narratives of The African Diaspora considered the individual and group stylepractices in different parts of the African as prisms of cultural and social commentary. Based on case studies of either complete looks or a single garment, with a daterange from the late 19th century to the 21st century, the book considers expanded notions of place, heritage and auto/biography.

This network aims to redress the under-researched status of dress and the African diaspora, namely: Europe; Africa; USA; the Caribbean; South America. The provision of a series of forums over two years where established and new researchers can discuss the consumption, production, collection and display of dress, textiles and beauty regimes is an unprecedented method of developing this area of study. It would be a major contribution to the advancement of studies on the African diaspora and would provide a broader knowledge base for a wide variety of international academics, practitioners and students.