Katie Perschau/Fourth Estate
BSA fashion show captivates Mason with bold style and expression
BY KATIE PERSCHAU, STAFF WRITER
The Black Student Alliance (BSA) at George Mason hosted its fourth annual fashion show, Love and Lust, on Saturday, March 29. The show explored a range of emotions through handmade and curated looks, a live DJ, and talented performances on the runway.
BSA models walked a candle-lined runway lit with glowing colors, immersing the audience in a journey of emotions to tell the story of love. The show began with red lights to symbolize the first emotion: lust.
“Red is bold, fiery, and impossible to ignore. It embodies passion, intensity, and undeniable allure…red is the color of attraction, stimulating the senses and waking deep emotions,” the show’s narrator said.
As dramatic music played, models prowled the runway in reds, velvets, lace and leather. They struck powerful and seductive poses while engaging with the audience by dancing and blowing kisses. One model stripped off a black silk robe, revealing chain-link body jewelry, and another wore a corset dress accessorized with pearls and a feather fan.
To signal the end of the first theme, three models slunk down the runway in simple yet bold dresses, drawing in the audience with confidence and daring glances.
When the lights blended into green, the narrator explained how the color embodied envy, desire and longing. Models wore earthy greens, softer fabrics, vests and buttoned coats.
To emphasize the theme, some models pretended to argue and push each other aside. They strolled casually, and several sent teasing waves to the audience. The final look for the green theme featured an outfit made entirely of crocheted fabric.
The next color, black, was a stampede of leather accessorized with masks, shades and purple lights. Rhythmic rap music played for the models’ energetic walks. Wearing streetwear and gesturing insults at the audience, the models commanded the runway for one of the show’s most upbeat and intense segments.
“In fashion and visual media,” the narrator said, “Black often conveys seriousness, defiance or hostility, emotions that arise in moments of anger.”
Katie Perschau/Fourth Estate
Purple lights faded to blue to signify the transition to sadness. A model wearing a veil of beads resembling tears walked the runway, followed by models in flowing blue outfits pretending to wipe away sobs. The looks included striking details such as gems on the models’ cheeks and shimmering silver jewelry.
The final theme of the show was true love. This theme was depicted using the color white to symbolize the pure, unconditional aspects of love and true affection, the narrator said. Models wore white lace, dresses, pearls and suits, and some handed flowers to the audience.
Praising the BSA’s creativity, audience member Meagan Raubenolt said, “I thought it was fabulous. Everyone was so confident and looked beautiful, and it was a lot of hard work put together from a lot of great people.”
Rehearsals for the show began in the fall of 2024. The BSA’s fashion show not only told a beautiful, emotional story of love but also showcased the organization’s talent and originality.
“It was definitely a surreal experience seeing my vision from a Google Doc come to life…I’m so beyond proud and grateful for all the work everyone put into the show, and it was a beautiful success,” said Director Skye Callaway.
