‘Shades of Black’

On a damp and windy February night, when most people would rather stay home than trek through the shadowy streets of Richmond, at least one hundred students, family, and friends chose the latter.

Diversity Theater’s “Shades of Black” at the University Student Commons was supposed to be an inspirational exhibition, recognizing those who morphed oppression into self-expression with particular emphasis on African-Americans. The producers of the show intended to showcase these revolutions through fashions from the 1960s, 1980s, and the future, according to the master of ceremonies.

To its credit, Diversity Theater managed to do three things successfully. First, it brought together a multitude of VCU’s cultural organizations in support of a common cause. Second, while “Shades of Black” had nothing to offer to the fashion industry, it was probably the most fun you’ll have at a university event all year.

Third and most importantly, it accomplished a feat so rare, you only see it once on BET all year. Within the African-American community there is a divide, particularly between women. Light-skinned females are often viewed as the most beautiful, and therefore are prominently promoted. On the contrary, dark-skinned women generally carry a heavy negative connotation.

Keeping in step with the country’s new mantra of change, “Shades of Black” ignored these common misconceptions. Beautiful black women – rail thin to full-figured – of every shade strutted down the long black runway. Their exceptional undertaking is not to be ignored. Unfortunately, this is where the compliments cease. For every commendation, there are two or more complaints.

When I go to a fashion show, I expect to be wowed, awe-inspired and entertained. The fashion should be thoughtful as well as thought provoking, tantalizing and forward thinking, even if reminiscent of days past. In my eyes, a fashion show is the pinnacle, the crest of concentrated work and craft. Not one of these characteristics was displayed.

After waiting nearly thirty minutes for the production to begin (I arrived shortly after 7:30 p.m.) I thirsted for the reason I’d come. I was met instead, with unorganized and largely impromptu introductions and sales pitches from everyone from potential student body presidents to local businessmen. It was a chaotic disarray.

Then came the fashion. While, the advertisements did not specify whether the show would consist of new designs or revamped garments, I expected better than this. The pieces of clothing were barely vintage, (largely from someone’s closet no doubt), and the outfits were hardly better. Only some looks were actually representative on an era. The fashion was not in chronologically order, which further added to the sense of bedlam.

It was not until the third quarter that any semblance of a fashion show occurred. It wasn’t enough. The futuristic portion of the program utilized pieces from the 80s segment. A quick look around the room would have told you that trends from the 80s are already in vogue. Their forecasting left something to be desired.

It finally ended with a model call. The models’ choreography was uncomfortable and repetitive, but the models themselves did a fantastic job. As I said before, while the fashion industry didn’t benefit from “Shades of Black,” if you just went to enjoy the fun, you probably were not disappointed.