Students strutted the runway at the Carleton Black Student Alliance’s annual fashion show last Friday, showcasing a variety of looks under this year’s theme: “Noir Legacy: The Future is Black.”
Student volunteers styled and modelled outfits spanning several categories, using a lookbook provided by the organizers for outfit inspiration.
Dylan Ntemgwa, the Black Student Alliance’s student issues coordinator, said organizers made sure models could walk for their preferred categories to nurture their creative visions and expressions.
“Black voices have to be heard not only politically, but in art,” said Ntemgwa, a third-year psychology student. “Black people “express ourselves in art — whether it’s painting, our hair, (or) the way we dress up.”
Ntemgwa said he hoped the event would foster authenticity and confidence.
“The main thing I want people to take away is just to be yourself,” Ntemgwa said.
Models “have confidence — not only confidence in being Black, but as human beings.”
Neuroscience master’s student Ruth Nobossi modelled in the show, as she did in 2024 and 2023. She said she decided to participate in the shows to display her fashion sense, which she described as “creative” and “eccentric.”
This year, she modelled for five categories and said its theme highlighted the cultural influence of Black creatives.
“A lot of styles we have are because of Black fashion artists who paved the way years ago,” she said. “Even the name, ‘Noir Legacy: The Future is Black,’ has an air of Black excellence and pride.”
Nobossi added that it’s particularly important to appreciate Black people’s legacy of cultural and fashion long appropriated contributions.
“They’re seen as ‘ghetto’ or ‘bad’ — all these negative connotations — when Black people have those styles originally,” she said. “But then Western media or non-Black artists showcase them, and suddenly it’s ‘fashionable’ and ‘cool.’”
Models showcased the diversity of Black fashion across time.
Some categories centered on identity, like with “Cultural Couture” and “Diaspora Streetwear.” Others showcased artistry, like “The Innovators” and the floral “Petelera,” and specific styles, such as “Afro-grunge” and “Black Western.”
Some Black-owned brands featured in the fashion show vended at the event, selling clothing and accessories alongside stalls offering other goods, like beauty products and traditional West African foods.
Local Black artists also performed at the show, starting with a spoken-word performance about racism and cultural appropriation by artist and writer Opemua Edelifo.
Saxophonist Amanesi Oshowa, also known by his stage name, aman3sii, performed a jazzy song before the intermission, and R&B singer Maeesha B concluded the lineup by performing her original tracks with backup dancers and a live band.
Meanwhile, DJ Jemimah “K2” spun tracks throughout the show, with a variety of songs and genres suited for each category.
The shows help Black students find community at Carleton, said Divine Jojolola, the student alliance’s events coordinator.
“The vision (stays) the same — empower and give a platform to Black creatives,” said Jojola, a fourth-year computer science student.
He added the fashion shows demonstrate the brilliance in Black creativity, which he said not everyone sees. He said a key takeaway is that Black people are and will continue to be culturally relevant, referencing the theme: “The future is Black.”
Nobossi said she has returned as a model for these fashion shows year after year because of the empowerment and the community she has felt from walking the runway.
“Most of the magic, even though you don’t really see it, happens backstage. (It’s) making new friends, being empowered and being in community and helping each other.”
Featured image by Zayn Daureeawoo/the Charlatan
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