For immediate release

SOUTHBANK CENTRE AND MASTERCARD ANNOUNCE

FASHION UNDRESSED

What does our fashion sense reveal about our individual identity in an age of conformity? How do we use style to make a statement about who we are or to transform ourselves into someone different? How do trends start and how does our cultural heritage influence what we wear today? Southbank Centre has teamed up with MasterCard in a new partnership, Fashion Undressed with MasterCard. This festival puts the ordinary person at the heart of fashion by exploring the distinctive, diverse and inventive style of people from all walks of life and investigating the influence of epoch-defining fashion movements on our everyday lives. Fashion Undressed with MasterCard is a two-year partnership featuring the first ever dedicated fashion weekend at the arts venue in July (23-24) and major fashion events during three Southbank Centre flagship festivals: Alchemy (20 -30 May), Africa Utopia (31 August - 4 September) and Being a Man (25 -27 November). The partnership builds on the 5 year-long collaboration between Southbank Centre and MasterCard and opens up the world of fashion to everyone through a series of exhibitions and performances, runway shows and pop-up shops showcasing the work of local and emerging designers. Fashion Undressed debuts at this year’s Alchemy, Southbank Centre’s festival of South Asian arts and culture, on Saturday 28 May. Taking a look at style influences from the Indian Subcontinent, events include How to Style a Sari and Young Asian and Breaking the Mould. The highlight of the programme is a runway show displaying brand new designs and drawing on the cross-cultural influences of South Asia and the UK. Fashion Undressed takes over the Southbank Centre site for the art centre’s first ever dedicated fashion weekend from 23 - 24 July with major indoor and outdoor

fashion shows. The programme includes practical sessions on fashion, exhibitions and debates exploring the complex interplay between fashion and art, and a series of performances celebrating fashion in all its forms. Southbank Centre Artistic Director, Jude Kelly said: “Our fashion choices play an integral part in defining who we are and what we want the world to know about us. Fashion belongs to the person on the street and this is a chance to celebrate the power it brings to them and the many cultural and artistic influences we recognise through what we choose to wear. “We are delighted to partner once again with MasterCard to give fashion an important place in our festivals and to encourage people everywhere to come together and share what fashion really means to them.” Nicola Grant, Head of Marketing UK&I at MasterCard added: “Our cardholders love the benefits our partnership with the Southbank Centre brings, and we’ve been really proud to be a part of so many diverse events over the past 5 years. Fashion Undressed with MasterCard allows us to continue that partnership and be a part of a new and exciting programme. MasterCard cardholders will have access to Priceless Experiences at the Southbank Centre, as well as unique benefits and offers all year round." For further information please contact Isabella Sharp, Corporate Communications Manager, on 020 7921 0967 or isabella.sharp@southbankcentre.co.uk or at MasterCard, James Thorpe on 020 7557 5430 or james.thorpe@mastercard.com Notes to editors Fashion Undressed with MasterCard images can be found here: https://drive.google.com/a/southbankcentre.co.uk/folderview?id=0Bw3VtFa6t46_YkhhTjJERno2TGM&usp=sharing

Fashion Undressed with MasterCard at Alchemy Tickets to Fashion Undressed with MasterCard at Alchemy will go on sale to Southbank Centre members on 19 April and to the general public on 20th April. Further information at http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whatson/festivals-series/fashion-undressed-with-mastercard Events include: Style my Headscarf 28th May, 11am-12noon, Level 3 Function Room Fashion and Religion 28th May, 1pm - 2pm, Level 3 Function Room Men, Fashion and Turbans 28th May, 2.30pm - 3.30pm, Level 3 Function Room Where is the South Asian Model? 28th May, 12.30pm - 1.15pm Level 4 Green Bar How to Style a Sari 28th May, 12noon - 4pm Level 2 Foyers Embroidery in Design 28th May, 12noon - 4pm Level 2 Foyers Block Printing 28th May, 12noon - 4pm Level 2 Foyers My Big Fat Asian Wedding, why the hype? 28th May, 1pm - 1.45pm, Clore Ballroom The History of the Sari 28th May, 11am - 11.45 am, Clore Ballroom Young, Asian and Breaking the Mould 28th May, 12noon - 12.45pm, Clore Ballroom More to be announced shortly. Alchemy, Southbank Centre’s festival celebrating the cultural connections between South Asia and the UK, returns for a seventh year (20-30 May 2016), exploring the region’s art, artists, politics and society as a whole. Over the last six years, Alchemy has grown to become the largest festival of South Asian culture outside the subcontinent and presents exciting collaborations and new work from both emerging and legendary artists, across dance, music, theatre, visual art, comedy and literature – as well as a stimulating array of workshops, book clubs, talks, debates and food. This year sees an increased focus on British Asian artists, fashion, Shakespeare with a South-Asian twist, and addresses contemporary issues from the LGBT Asian community to radicalisation. Further Alchemy information at www.southbankcentre.co.uk/alchemy About MasterCard

MasterCard (NYSE: MA), www.mastercard.com, is a technology company in the global payments industry. We operate the world’s fastest payments processing network, connecting consumers, financial institutions, merchants, governments and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. MasterCard’s products and solutions make everyday commerce activities – such as shopping, traveling, running a business and managing finances – easier, more secure and more efficient for everyone. Follow us on Twitter @MasterCardNews, join the discussion on the Cashless Pioneers Blog and subscribe for the latest news on the Engagement Bureau. Southbank Centre is the UK’s largest arts centre, occupying a 21-acre site that sits in the midst of London’s most vibrant cultural quarter on the South Bank of the Thames. The site has an extraordinary creative and architectural history stretching back to the 1951 Festival of Britain. Southbank Centre is home to the Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall, Purcell Room and the Hayward Gallery as well as The Saison Poetry Library and the Arts Council Collection. For further information please visit www.southbankcentre.co.uk. We are carrying out vital restoration work on the Hayward Gallery, Queen Elizabeth Hall and Purcell Room to make the buildings fit for future generations to enjoy, more information can be found here: letthelightin.southbankcentre.co.uk.