Hundreds filled the Al Lawson gym Wednesday night to see Florida A&M’s top models strut their stuff.
DJ Crooklyn set the tone for the evening of eccentric fashion and R&B artist Miguel music at this year’s FAMU Homecoming fashion show. Mahogany Dance Theater, Images Modeling Troupe, and Epicurean Fashion Experience, were among the organizations that performed.
The models didn’t just walk to be cute. They walked with a purpose. Recycled clothing from local consignment and second-hand stores were a major portion of the fashions.
Newspapers, were a hit in this year’s show. Models wore vests, flowers and even suspenders made of newspapers.
Mahogany Dance Theater performed a scene featuring Fabian Johns, a transgendered female who auditioned but wasn’t selected for FACES Modeling Troupe’ Inc.
The swimsuit scene, with its Alaska meets Hawaii theme, brought cheers and hollers from the crowd. The models were covered in fur and swimwear.
“Swimwear was my favorite part of the show; I really enjoyed the beautiful ladies,” said Jack Francis, a 22-year-old, fourth -year health science student from Bell Glade, Fla.
EpicureanFashion Experience put the audience in a time warp. The troupe’s interpretation of Woodstock included tie-dye and ‘peace’ signs.
” I felt high, like I could feel the grass. I was carefree,” said Chauncy Neolms, a 23, fourth year criminal justice student and member of Epicurean Fashion Experience.
As Kanye West and Katy Perry’s song, Alien, blasted over the speakers, models were decked in high fashion outfits with extreme accessories. All the models had an enhancement on their shoulders. They also wore cones and oversized flowers on their garments. Male models wore clothes accessorized with American flags. The scene was reminiscent of man’s first walk on the moon in 1969.
While fashion was the star of the show, Miguel and his music were supposed to be highlights of the night. However, some students walked away a bit dissatisfied.
“I was disappointed,” said Nateisha Straws, a first-year engineering student from Cocoa Beach, “I was like-What is Miguel.”