By Kelline Linton, Staff Writer
When fashion model Adam Tate swaggered onto the runway, spontaneous applause swept through the crowded lobby; his tight red leather pants and flashy sunglasses were audience favorites. Other ’80s models received the same positive enthusiasm with their football-style shoulder pads and bright leg warmers last Friday evening at ‘Exposed: A Fashion Story.’
Tate was one of several who paraded styles during the event as a tribute to black history.
The show was took place in the North Lobby of the Williams Performing Arts Center and centered on a lighted and carpeted runway. Audience attendance was larger higher than expected, said Mallorie Frank, director of the affair. More than 200 were present; all the chairs were occupied, and people were obliged to sit on the floor or watch from the second secondstory balcony.
Music played to correspond to each showcased decade, and two masters of ceremony, Charrelle Coates, junior biochemistry major from Clarksville, Tenn., and Ernesto Villarreal, senior interdisciplinary major from Huntsville, kept the models and pace of the program moving.
‘Exposed: A Fashion Story’ celebrated the African and Afro-American contributions throughout the decades from the 1940s to 2000s with authentic apparel.
“All fashion tells a story,” said director Mallorie Frank, senior sociology major from Dallas. “My goals were met and surpassed; I wanted to expose everyone to how African- Americans have influenced the world,” Frank said.
The Office of Multicultural Enrichment sponsored the show in conjunction with Black History month.
“We want fashion to remind people of the beautiful contributions of the African- Americans,” said George Pendergrass, director of Multicultural Enrichment. “We don’t always have to march to help people appreciate history.”
“Fashion is the lighter side of history,” Frank said.
A bigger fashion show might appear on campus in April, said Frank.
Models’ outfits for the event were bought at the Salvation Army Thrift Store, found in the back corners of closets or created by student fashion designer Victoria Zachary, senior interior design major from Dallas. The 1960s was introduced by a dramatic reading of The Revolution will Not be Televised, a poem by African American poet Gil Scott Heron, with images of “sex appeal” and “pigs shooting down brothers.”
“Revolution was a fashion,” said reader Al Haley, professor of English, who chose the poem for its African American context.
The decade was a turbulent time in Black History. “A lot of the [1960s] clothes took on a particular life personality,” said model Kenneth Dinkins, junior youth and family ministry major from Toledo, Ohio.
The 1970s continued the revolution theme and featured model Byron Martin, junior psychology major from Mesquite, as a Black Panther with a taped Malcolm X speech in accompaniment.
“You can’t leave out the Black Panther, just like you can’t leave out the bell bottoms from the ’70s,” Frank said. The 2000s featured eclectic style that mirrored past fashion. “We are a vintage generation,” Frank said. “We take something from behind and make it our own.”
“[Our decade] gave a glimpse of how fashion has repeated itself, which directly resembles history,” said model Josh Jackson, junior youth and family ministry major from Wichita, Kan.
Models for the show were of diverse race for a purpose said Frank. “Black history is not just for black people; it wouldn’t be history unless it included everyone,” she said.
“This was a multi-cultural event where everyone was involved,” said fashion designer Victoria Zachary.
The night was a success, said director Mallorie Frank.
“I’m so ecstatic. It wasn’t me; it was all my models and volunteers. I couldn’t have pulled it off with out everyone’s help,” Frank said. “It was Jesus; he was my inspiration.”
