Student fashion show features styles from around the world


The lights dimmed in Plachta Auditorium on Friday night as dark silhouettes of models appeared on stage behind a red backdrop, preparing to walk the runway.

Students excitedly waited in a line that started at the entrance of Plachta Auditorium, nearly extending to Warriner Hall’s exit, for the doors to open at 7:30 p.m. for the Organization for Black Unity’s 16th annual fashion show. The show was titled "Le Voyagè" and featured fashion styles for men and women from locations all over the world, including California, New York, Detroit, Paris, Japan and more. Students designed clothing, planned the event and modeled clothing for the show.

Alpena freshman Mariah Purol said although she is not entirely into fashion, she was excited to see another aspect of campus that she does not get to experience as a science major. 

“I was looking forward to seeing what’s come out of CMU — the creative stuff,” Purol said. “My friends and I are mostly science majors and we don’t get to see the artistic side of campus.”

Before the models began walking, the audience was surprised by the performance of a student rapper who goes by the name "Finesse."

Eastern Michigan University student Darius Anthony, one of the clothing vendors for the show, was invited to help put together the fashion show by a member of OBU. He created about 15 of the outfits in the show.

In addition to fashion, Le Voyagè showcased other creative performances from students, including the dance team Rampage, and musical acts that included Chicago junior Deonte Gardner, also known as Cassius Tae, who rapped with live orchestration during a segment of the show.

A visiting guest from Flint, Keonna Summerville, said she thought the show was exceptionally better than when she attended the year before. 

“I’m really impressed with the creativity and the styles,” Summerville said. “They’ve honestly worked so hard and you can tell they want to show it off. I went to the fashion show last year and it was really good, but this time I think they’ve leveled up.”

Arbor Hills freshman Ayjah Guy said overall she was not expecting the fashion show to be so lively. 

“My favorite part was when they guy sang,” Guy said. “I almost freaked out. And what I liked about the fashion was seeing some things I would and would not wear, or that I would purchase.”

 Detroit freshman Jonathon Hosey said he was simply impressed with the fashion show in all. 

“I have to say having not experienced this show before, it has exceeded my expectations,” Hosey said. “I think it was very well choreographed and they just appeared so polished. I think they’ve made a really good impression. I have my reservations about some of the censorship that should or should not be in the music, but I thought it was well orchestrated. They’ve done a great job.”

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