Creative Direction & Cultural Advisory

Alongside leading Kalikas Armour, Jatin Patel undertakes selected creative-direction, cultural-advisory and speaking engagements across fashion, culture and the creative economy.

Jatin works with cultural organisations, brands, public bodies, partnerships and creative practitioners seeking clear strategic thinking, distinctive creative direction or an experienced voice within a wider conversation.

Jatin’s experience spans cultural governance, strategic development, creative-economy advocacy, cross-sector collaboration and the translation of ideas into practical, public-facing work.

He was part of the core group that authored Medway’s Ten-Year Cultural Strategy and later co-chaired the board for Medway’s UK City of Culture 2025 bid, supporting governance and collaboration across the cultural sector, local government and regional partners.

Jatin has been involved with Creative Medway since its inception. Initially elected to lead its Spaces and Places theme, he now serves as Vice Chair with responsibility for Creative People, supporting inclusive engagement, governance development and strategic partnerships.

After completing six years as Chair of Ideas Test, an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation operating through the Creative People and Places programme, he continues to support the organisation as a Trustee.

He is also an alumnus of the Create South East investment-readiness programme.

Jatin brings together the perspectives of a practising designer, creative entrepreneur and cultural leader. His approach connects ambitious thinking with the structures, relationships and practical decisions required to move an idea forward.

Advisory work may include cultural strategy, creative-economy development, governance, partnership thinking, project development, public narrative, inclusive engagement and collaboration across culture, education, health, business and local government.

Creative-direction projects may move across fashion, performance, editorial, events and cultural storytelling.

Selected work may include fashion and visual direction, artist and performance dressing, editorial concepts, cultural and institutional collaborations, event concepts, live presentation and material-led or experimental projects.

A project may begin with an idea, an occasion, a story or a particular audience. Jatin can support its development from the initial concept and visual language through design, styling, construction and final presentation.

The form depends on the story, the partner and what the project needs to communicate.

Jatin contributes to panel discussions, roundtables, keynote talks and conference presentations across fashion, culture and the creative industries.

His speaking themes include creativity as infrastructure, identity and representation, creative enterprise, access and participation, responsible making and the long-term value of fashion and craft.

Advisory, creative-direction and speaking engagements are undertaken selectively. Each project must have a clear purpose and align with the principles of integrity, responsibility and meaningful transformation that underpin Jatin’s wider practice.

Engagements may be undertaken in person or remotely, across the UK and internationally by arrangement.