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Summer may be winding down, but the sunshine never stops with Curated Caribbean. Our mission is to spotlight Caribbean culture all year-round, from food to festivals and beyond.
Explore this month’s handpicked, Caribbean inspired finds including the Caribbean Takeover, The Black British Book Festival and Built By We.
Plus, let the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority transport you to the tropics with the Saint Lucia Showcase 2025: Consumer Edit. I’ll be there too as one of the market stall holders, alongside a brilliant line-up of other businesses of St Lucian heritage, enjoy musical performances, creole lessons, and face painting.
And catch me at Somerset House for their free Step Inside Think Outside Weekend to celebrate their 25th Birthday on 13th & 14th September.
Scroll down for full details on all this and more.
Curated Caribbean Picks: Top Discoveries
Join the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority for the Saint Lucia Showcase - The Consumer Edit on Saturday 20th September at the Millennium Hotel and Conference Centre, London.
A celebration of travel, music, and culture. Enjoy a day of live performances, market stalls (including mine), quadrille dancing, Creole lessons, steel pan, face painting, and more, followed by an evening of entertainment headlined by Saint Lucian favourites.
It’s the perfect chance to immerse yourself in Caribbean music, Caribbean traditions, and the rich Saint Lucian heritage that reflects the wider Caribbean spirit.
The Black British Book Festival, UK & Europe’s biggest black literature festival takes place on 19th October at the Barbican Centre, celebrating Black British Authors.
The event brings together established authors and emerging voices for an inspiring day of culture, creativity, and community.
On Saturday 27th September, the Caribbean Social Forum presents Caribbean Takeover. A family-friendly celebration of Caribbean culture at Royal Museums Greenwich.
Expect a fusion of Caribbean music, Caribbean dance, and Caribbean art, all in one unforgettable day.
Taking place across the National Maritime Museum and Queen’s House, the event will feature music, dance, art, and heritage activities for all ages.
This year also marks the Caribbean Social Forum’s 10th anniversary, promising an extra special celebration of Caribbean creativity and community.
On the 20th September, ColdIslanders, in association with Newham Council’s Heritage Month 2025, presents 'Built By We', a workshop, film screening, and reception celebrating Caribbean-led third spaces in Newham.
Join them for a day of creative activities including a textile workshop with designer Kris Thomas, screening and panel talk of films exploring community spaces and Caribbean heritage plus drinks, food, DJ & photobooth with Takenya Holness.
Image from @coldislanders
Book your tickets for Black Power Desk, World Premiere at Brixton House from 1st - 28th September.
Set in 1970s London, Black Power Desk tells the story of two sisters navigating love, loss, and community in a time of change.
Blending the soulful sounds of Lover’s Rock, Reggae and RnB with a powerful new score performed live, this original musical explores sisterhood, resilience, and the music that defined a generation.
Photo from @brxhousetheatre
Celebrity chef Ainsley Harriott joins journalist Lorna Cooper for the Wandsworth Enterprise Hub's African Caribbean Food Month Launch to share how his Caribbean roots inspired his love of cooking and his journey to becoming one of the UK’s most beloved chefs on Thursday 2 October OSMO Battersea as part of the Wandsworth Enterprise Hub.
The event also includes a panel on the future of African Caribbean food in the UK, live entertainment and food vendors with samples (first come, first served)
Architecture, Modernism and Politics in the Caribbean
Join professor Alex Martínez-Suárez on 2 October at the Architectural Association as he explores how modernist architecture in the Caribbean reflected shifting politics of the 20th century, shaped by authoritarianism, postcolonial transitions, and struggles for democracy.
Drawing on his award-winning research, he highlights the region’s distinctive tropical modernism and the urgent need to preserve this unique architectural heritage.
Photo by Jabari Timothy on Unsplash
Tomorrow’s Warriors Presents Harlem Renaissance: A 100 Year Revolution at the Southbank Centre, London on 13th September.
Discover how the Harlem Renaissance shaped global Black identity. Join Tomorrow’s Warriors with Bonnie Greer, Margaret Busby, Soweto Kinch and Kevin Le Gendre as they explore its lasting influence, from Jamaican poet Claude McKay to today’s artists across the diaspora.
Photo from @southbankcentre
Back to school (or work) after the summer break? We know the thought of it doesn't fill everyone with joy, so we have created brightly coloured stationary to bring some sunshine to your return to the routine.
Missed these?
Curated Caribbean discoveries from the last edition that are still worth checking out!
Last month we highlighted @everyfishbar. You can't go wrong with a classic fish and chips for lunch or dinner, but the Every Fish Bar team take things a step further with a jerk and jollof twist.
Or how about starting your Christmas shopping early (yes, Christmas - it will be here before we know it!)
If that thought also fills you with dread then you can buy something for yourself too from Ayana Benjamin's Caribbean inspired jewellery. Check out her jewellery here.
Caribbean Taste of the Month
IslandSlice Rum is a fusion of St Lucian traditions and Scottish distilling expertise. They pay homage to the rich culture of the Caribbean while infusing it with the time-honoured craftsmanship and precision of Scottish whisky-making.
The one that caught my eye is the Scotch Bonnet Rum, described on their website as 'hot, but still very cool. Your slice of Island life with a twist. Surprisingly sweet, unexpectedly fruity.'
Image from @Islandslicerum
More Discoveries
This month, I’ve come across even more incredible finds that simply had to be part of Curated Caribbean! Here are some additional gems to explore:
Writing Black Joy
Author Keshia Sakarah, creator of the beautifully crafted cookbook 'Caribé', joins host Monique on the Writing Black Joy podcast.
In this episode, Keshia explores how food can preserve heritage, nourish the soul, and tell powerful stories of home, family, and identity. A must-listen for food lovers, culture enthusiasts, and anyone passionate about Caribbean roots.
🎧 Have a listen of this and other inspirational podcasts from Writing Black Joy.
Image from @writingblackjoy
Diverse Gifts
This is not a new discovery for me as I ran one of my Raffia Embroidery Workshops there, but it's well worth another mention if you're gift buying for a birthday, anniversary or if you are an early-bird Christmas shopper... in fact its great for any occasion, where a unique and thoughtful gift is needed.
Whatever your reason, check out Diverse Gifts, an award-winning gift store based in Brixton, London, run by the amazing Anita.
You will find inclusive cards, gifts, stationery, toys and more.
Can't get to Brixton? You can also shop online.
Image from @diversegifts
Black Gardening in Britain Callout
The Garden Museum are building their collection of objects on the topic of Black Gardening in Britain, and need your help!
Continuing their exploration into the legacy of Black Gardening in Britain, the museum is seeking to expand the collections display with donations from the public.
If you have anything that you feel tells a story: pamphlets, garden plans, images, journals, botanical items, garden ornaments, short films or have any contacts that can point them in the right direction contact Edward Adonteng via email (edward@gardenmuseum.org.uk) with the subject “Response to Black Gardening in Britain Callout”
V&A African Heritage news
Discover untold stories in the V&A’s collection. Celebrate Black joy, explore fresh ideas, and help shape new narratives with museum experts and guest voices.
Step Inside Think Outside Weekend
Somerset House turns 25!!
Image from @SomersetHouse
Somerset House is celebrating its 25th birthday on 13th & 14th September.
This special occasion marks Somerset House's transformation from government offices to an internationally acclaimed cultural hub, inviting visitors to explore rarely seen spaces and engage with their vibrant creative community.
The weekend will be filled with a diverse program of free, family-friendly events, installations, performances, and workshops. Including mine where I will be running a family friendly creative drop-in workshop.
Come and join us as we celebrate the home of cultural innovators. From Studios artists, Black Business Residency participants, Makerversity members to creative start-ups and organisations.
Get organised!
Although we’re well past the halfway point of the year, there’s no better time than now to check in on your goals. If, like me, you need a plan, we’ve got just the thing to help you stay on track. Explore our planners and notebooks to get started.
Share Your Caribbean Discoveries!
Have you come across any inspiring stories or exciting discoveries celebrating Caribbean culture and the diaspora? Whether it’s Caribbean fashion, Caribbean food, or Caribbean-inspired art, I’d love to spotlight your discoveries. I’d especially love to hear about hidden gems or events outside of London. Email hello@tiharasmith.com to share your finds with me, and I’ll do my best to feature them in the next Curated Caribbean to share with our community!
About Tihara Smith
Tihara is a fashion designer and textile artist passionate about design, the Caribbean and sharing the Windrush story. She loves creating distinctive pieces that allow people to have a little piece of the Caribbean 🌴✨
Disclaimer: Please note that I am not affiliated with any of the brands or businesses mentioned in this blog post. For any questions about their products or services, please contact them directly.
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