As models walked onto the stage in the Al Lawson Jr. Multipurpose Center, the audience knew this year’s fashion and hair show would be different.
“This year’s homecoming theme is ‘United We Strike,'” said Lamont Howard, chairman of the fashion and hair show. “We wanted to exemplify unity, at the same time, diversity – what better way to do that by having an international theme uniting everyone across the globe?”
The idea of the international fashion experience was to show the student body how people dress around the world and how style is not just in America. The show was based on diversity, culture and fashion capitals across the globe, such as London, Tokyo and Italy.
“Florida A&M has students from all walks of life,” Howard said. “The institution always focused on their fashion, and I wanted this fashion show to be global.”
The show included five scenes, which represented a style genre across the world. Fashion models ripped the runway with styles from America, Europe, Tokyo and South Africa.
The American fashion scene portrayed an urban style, such as New York and Los Angeles. The European genre showed a more sophisticated and formal wear, as seen in London and Italy.
Clothing from Tokyo was a colorful street style. Models who walked in the.
Student stylists and designers created many of the pieces worn in the fashion show. Local clothing vendors and small businesses also contributed to the models’ attire.
Although the fashion show committee was limited to the Tallahassee area and faced challenges such as time restraints, committee members were inspired to use their surroundings to complete each scene.
Faith Lyons, a first-year business administration student from Pensacola, Fla., was a model for the European and African scenes.
“The fashion show helped people to see where styles originated from,” Lyons said.
Students were welcomed into the fashion show with a long red carpet, which was also a new feature for the event.
Kelvin Clark, a third-year psychology and sociology student from Jacksonville, was not only a stylist for the fashion show but is also a clothing designer for Cloud City Clothing.
He said the outfits and music for the scenes were perfect and considers this year’s show to be one of the best ever.
Another element of the fashion show was the hair show, which the student body requested.
The hair show included creative styles and designs from colorful dreads, weaves and natural hair. The Rattler’s Edge and Hair Essentials Salon were featured in the show.
Crème of Nature sponsored the event. The group donated products to the show and sponsored individuals to represent its hair products during the hair show segment.
Howard said he hopes the fashion show enlightened the audience to new styles.
“When people leave the fashion show, I want people to be able to connect to their cultural conscience,” Howard said. “This fashion show isn’t just about fashion, it’s about experience.”