AFROX fashion show captures the essence of Black culture 

Natalie Barr, Staff Writer

Daisy Palmer, a senior psychology student, saw a post on a model’s Instagram story and decided to attend the BLK Runway’s AFROX show.

“The graphic design, the representation of Blackness, the eccentricism of it all just really gravitated towards me,” Palmer said.

Palmer believes a show like this is important for an industry like fashion, which is still predominantly filled with white designers and models, she said.

“Blackness and Black uniqueness is the start of everything, and we need to be represented into these spaces,” Palmer said. “It’s great to just see people represent these spaces well.” 

Kayla Feliciano traveled from Charlotte to support her friend, BLK Runway director LA Ricks, whom she’s known since high school, Feliciano said.

“I can’t wait to see what she does, she’s so creative. I know she’s gonna put her own spin on it, but I’ve been following her Instagram,” Feliciano said. “I just love how she’s showcasing the designers, putting their stories forward.” 

Feliciano hopes this show, focused on Black creatives, will have a big impact on the way people view fashion and the industry, according to Feliciano.

“It’s not just white people that are doing things. It’s Black people, too,” Feliciano said. “A lot of the fashion that we have that’s showcased by white creators was originally done by Black creators. I just love it. I’m so excited for her.”

Friends and family surrounded designer Yan Shabazz after he presented his first collection at BLK Runway’s AFROX show; Shabazz knows his “big plans” will be accomplished, he said. 

“I love my family and my friends, they showed through,” Shabazz said. 

Shabazz’s collection “Black Church” was featured in the AfroCentric section of the show, inspired from the role Black churches have had throughout history, according to Shabazz. 

Every detail, from the makeup, the designs and gestures displayed at the end of the runway, had meaning to the overall message for his collection, he said.

“All my models are telling a story when they walk to the end of the show,” Shabazz said.

“They all had a gesture they were given to do and that tells the different story about the Black people in the church and how we act around other people.” 

Sketches started over winter break, designs began spring semester and two new looks made a week before show day, he said. An accidental cut from scissors during a final backstage fitting changed the garment, but it added to the overall meaning, according to Shabazz.

“It works with the symbolism that I was trying to show for the piece of clothing, which goes all the way back to slavery times,” Shabazz said. “I cut up the front and back of the garment to show the treatment we got during slavery and started putting the blood all over it, and I think that really showed through, too.”

Shabazz wanted to make his family proud when they saw his collection, and felt he did just that, according to Shabazz.

“When I came out to walk with my models, I gave them all big hugs, my dad, my brother. That was nice and on the way back I was motioning ‘I love you guys,’” Shabazz said.