On Feb. 22, Colorado Mesa University’s (CMU) Cultural Inclusion Council (CIC) held their second annual fashion show, with major developments branching off last year’s event.
Five of the six cultural alliances within CIC participated in the fashion show with the themes “Unapologetically Black” by the Black Student Alliance (BSA), “Born This Way” by the Genders & Sexualities Alliance (GSA), “Aloha Friday” by the Ho’olokahi Polynesian Alliance (HPA), “A World of Roots” by the International Student Alliance (ISA) and “Feria de Colores” by the Latino Student Alliance (LSA). Each cultural alliance started to prepare for the fashion show in Dec. 2019.
“[BSA] chose the theme “Unapologetically Black” because it’s Black History Month,” assistant coordinator and model for BSA, Mahlet Mamo, said. “I thought it was really powerful. We wanted to be as ‘us’ as we could be, as much of ourselves as we could show everyone. In a space where maybe sometimes people don’t get to see diversity, each [alliance] came together to be as authentic as possible.”
Noah Stahlecker for The Criterion
Models were asked to check in at 10 a.m. in preparation for the event. After check-in, a full rehearsal, a three-hour break and cocktail hour, the fashion show ran for approximately two hours. Before the show could begin, additional chairs were set up to adjust to the number of audience members who bought tickets the night of.
“The past two weeks, Jasmine [Tellez] and I stayed up till 2 a.m. working on the clothes [for LSA],” coordinator of LSA, Nayeli Hernandez, said. “It took us really long because we did some hand stitching and then we also used the sewing machine […] I’m so proud of my models for working their clothing. I’m just so happy everything worked out. We worked really hard.”
Brenna Barkley for The Criterion
During the show, the director and assistant director of the CIC, Jasmine Tellez and Gaby Rodriguez, introduced each alliance’s performance with playful banter and facts related to the cultural alliances’ presentations. CMU’s campus radio station, KMSA 91.3, DJed the event. There were also live performances, raffle ticket giveaways and a video presentation that gave audience members insight into the inner workings of the CIC.
“There’s still a lot of adrenaline going [after walking on the runway],” model for LSA, Faith Wood, said. “It’s so crazy, but I’m so happy to be a part of this. All the alliances came together, we’re all cheering everyone on. It was the best thing I’ve done this whole year.”
Brenna Barkley for The Criterion
“Compared to last year, I think the setup is better, and the [Meyer] ballroom is a better place to have the fashion show,” model for the BSA, Imani Lewis, said. “I do think that last year they had more events. They had a step team and other people come on. They had an actual live band play music, so I think that was better. But the way it’s set up this year is a lot more professional.”
