State of Mind Vol. 3 — A Recap of Art, Healing and Community

On a cold January evening in Salford, 150 people gathered for the third edition of State of Mind — Àyòọba's signature community event blending art therapy, fashion, and collective healing.

The evening opened with a guided meditation by Dr. Amara Diallo, one of the therapists in our wellness directory, who led participants through a visualisation exercise connecting clothing memories to emotional states.

"I asked everyone to think about a garment that made them feel most like themselves," Dr. Diallo explained. "The responses were incredible — from a grandmother's wrapper to a first pair of Jordans. Fashion holds our emotional history."

The art therapy station, run by Fatou Sow, invited attendees to create fabric collages representing their identity journeys. The results ranged from abstract expressions of displacement to vivid celebrations of dual heritage.

State of Mind is proof of what Àyòọba has always believed: that fashion, wellness, and community aren't separate domains. They're different expressions of the same fundamental human need — to be seen, understood, and valued for who you truly are.