Katie Perschau/Fourth Estate

Jay Toussaint talks about his experience with the Black Student Alliance Fashion Show

BY KATIE PERSCHAU, STAFF WRITER

Self-expression is a staple of Mason pride. This school year, Sophomore Jay Toussaint, a member of Mason’s Black Student Alliance, stepped out of his comfort zone to audition for the organization’s annual fashion show. 

While the students won’t walk the runway until March 29, Toussaint has been practicing and attending rehearsals since October. He said his decision to audition allowed him to participate in a unique activity and strengthen his sense of community at Mason.

Toussaint values self-expression and enjoys exploring different music genres and experimenting with fashion. However, he hadn’t considered participating in a fashion show until joining the BSA. 

“I originally wasn’t going to do it…it looked really cool, but it was so out of my comfort zone. I like taking pictures and I like putting outfits together, so I was like, [runway modeling] is something I would do if I wasn’t self-conscious, so why not just do it and get the experience because you don’t get less self-conscious by not doing anything,” Toussaint said. 

Toussaint was initially nervous to audition because he was the only male in rehearsals, but he soon found that the other BSA members were eager to support him. 

“They were so nice. They clapped after every walk and told you you did a good job; they really tried to work with you,” he said. Now, he describes the rehearsals as productive but also full of laughter, jokes and singing along to runway songs. 

While Toussaint originally joined BSA to get involved in an organization, he said that getting to know other Black students on campus has increased his confidence and made him feel more in touch with his identity. 

“Even if I don’t do [the fashion show] next year, at least I can say that this was something I was a part of,” Toussaint said. “If your friends aren’t Black, you can feel sort of detached from the identity…so [participating in the BSA] has made me feel more secure on campus.”

Toussaint encouraged students to participate in the BSA and the fashion show for the experience and community connections, whether they plan on making it a long-term commitment or just want to try something new. He said the fashion show offers a unique opportunity to build a portfolio and meet like-minded students. 

In addition to the BSA, Toussaint said that living in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences learning community during his freshman year helped him find a supportive group of  friends. 

“I feel like I definitely wouldn’t have made as many friends who were in my major and doing things related to my course load if I hadn’t joined the CHSS learning community. I feel like GMU does a good job of getting specific niche groups of people together,” he said. 

By auditioning for the fashion show, Toussaint has learned to not take things too seriously and to embrace new experiences.

“Not everyone is perceiving you the way you’re perceiving you all the time,” he said. “Some people are just as nervous as you.” 

As Toussaint prepares for the upcoming fashion show, he hopes his experience will inspire other students to take risks, step out of their comfort zones, and find confidence in unexpected places. 

Come support Toussaint and other Mason students at the BSA fashion show on March 29!