BORN N BREAD are a group of multi-talented friends hailing from South London whose cult NTS show gives a platform to new and exciting voices.
Stephanie, Abigail, Olivia, Adelaide and Chika have known each other so long they might as well be family (some of them are). Childhood friends growing up in Peckham, they saw South East London changing drastically around them over the last few years and decided to start a conversation about it. “After returning home post-uni, we noticed the change in our area due to gentrification” they tell me, “after growing up and hardly ever seeing narratives like ours in the media we decided to join forces.” Using Peckham as a jumping off space, BORN N BREAD have become a defining voice for London communities who are either misrepresented or ignored by the mainstream.
“Most of the time we are silenced as women and as black people. We tell our own stories, our own truths, our struggles and triumphs with no interruptions or wrong interpretations”
BORN N BREAD’s first creative outlet was a zine called “Black”, a cut-and-stick celebration of London culture and critique which combined their various interests. Although still making zines, they’re now they’re best known for a hilarious bi-weekly NTS show which they describe as a way to express themselves as “artists, friends, sisters and as multi-faceted women.” The freedom of the show is cited as particularly important, as “most of the time we are silenced as women and as black people. We tell our own stories, our own truths, our struggles and triumphs with no interruptions or wrong interpretations”. This refreshingly honest and personal conversation has rightly earned them a place as a platform for smart, open discussion among Londoners. It’s not all heavy though, they make sure to add that “if you tune in expect a lot of laughs”.
With so much already achieved, the collective have got 2018 firmly in their sights – and it’s unquestionably set to be their year. “So far we’ve published three sold out zines and are currently working on two more” they tell me, and while so many people use growth on social media as the key indicator of success, BORN N BREAD couldn’t be less interested. “Nothing is done online, everything you see is done by hand” they explain, “it's more about the processes; being together, creating together and listening to music whilst we work. It's very therapeutic. Self-care in a way.” London is lucky to have such an inspirational group of women that have its back.
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