All across London there have been mini celebrations and events to mark the 100^th ever International Women’s Day – and down in Dalston there was a particularly hip version of events going on.

Fed up with the rubbish role models on offer to the present generation of girls, Loren Platt and Teo Connor have set up an amazing art exhibition and program of cultural events over the next few days in the Russian Club Studios in Dalston.

fashion pieces by the accessories designer and prop stylist Fred Butler

Under the Banner (and a very smart banner it is too) ‘Blessed are the Art Makers’ and with taglines like ‘Young women desperately need role models – and what the media gives them is heiresses, sex objects, surgery addicts and emotional wrecks. There must be better suggestions’ and 'The W Project celebrates women working across the creative industries. We aim to promote empowering role-models and help build a better creative community for the future.’

moss installation by Anna Garforth with the artist Josephine Chime

The girls have curated the exhibition from a squillion pieces all by female artists and creatives; what better place to start in the hunt for some more positive role models . . . ?

Here are some of the Amazing pieces – a moss installation by Anna Garforth, amazing fashion pieces by the accessories designer and prop stylist Fred Butler and hand carfted pieces by feminist artist Josephine Chime  . . .  and lots and lots more!

If you think you like the sound of any of this and you can make it down to East London in the next few days then you will find the program of events – each one of them interactive and dynamic, on the website thewproject.com

Pictures throughout by the multi talented Fred Butler!

- Naomi Attwood