“We Are One”Meets Fashion

Westminster’s Black History Month celebration took a new creative direction in a fashion show last Thursday.

Anna Grace Likes Editor-in-Chief

Every February for the past several years, Westminster has invited the community to attend a Black History Month celebration event that they call “We Are One.” The event seeks to showcase achievements in Black culture and highlight speakers, musicians, artists, and other African-Americans who are renowned in their field and can provide the community with an enriching experience and education on Black culture. This year’s theme was fashion, and with that typical program came a new addition to the night: a fashion show.

“Guest speaker and Alum Caira Butler, alongside Professor Trawick from Lindenwood University, had a presentation on some of the most influential Black fashion designers and trend setters of the eras (60’s- Now). This showed everyone just how important many Black designers have been to society in creating fashion trends,” explained D’Naija Ammons, senior and participant in the event.

From there, they moved to the fashion show, which displayed African-American trends and designs through the centuries. A runway was set up down the middle of the Grand Entry from the large grand staircase in the middle, and bright lights and cameras followed the student models down the catwalk.

it shed a new light on an area of art and design that is not often showcased in a high school setting.

“Every moment of this experience was exciting, but I was really nervous at first about walking in the fashion show since it was something that I had never done before. Overall, It was so great to see everyone gathered together to celebrate Black History Month in such a fun and engaging way! I most definitely believe that the night adequately celebrated different aspects of Black Culture, and was a great way for us to get all together!,” said Ammons.

After the show, a reception was held in the Hub, where attendees could observe styles exhibited in the show up close and sip on Pawprint coffee. Entirely student-run, the reception was an enjoyable way to wrap up the night and embrace community.

“Both the fashion show and program exhibited how Black history really is, even though small details were used. It still helped many to understand that there are different achievements and not all achievements look the same. Even as a Nigerian I think it is extremely important to learn about different parts of black culture, and I would agree that it was celebrated admirably,” said Obanigba.

Sophomore Busola Obanigba was one of the models in the show, styled in 70s-era African-American fashion. “Since I was a model, I got to try on different outfits to see which ones fit me best. Then, when the designers saw all the outfits, they agreed on an ideal fit,” said Obanigba.

Students and everyone in the community agreed that this was a fun and different way to approach Black history celebration, and

Overall, the night was a huge success and brought positive attention and education to an exciting area of African-American culture.