The Black Student Alliance’s annual fashion show brought old-school vibes, new-school flair and a political message to a packed Guillot University Center Performance Center April 13.

The theme for this year’s event was #IAmFashion, and it aimed to promote Black history, culture and entrepreneurship, said BSA President Rahsaun Fletcher.

Host Chenequa Farrar, owner of 3208 Entertainment Complex in Huntsville, kept the audience entertained along with DJ PaPaRooster during the breaks, and she introduced the show’s five themed segments: African print, the ‘90s, Innovative Stylez Boutique, Laquience Boutique and the Black segment.

During the first set, shirtless male models, some with face paint, accompanied female models in a range of African print clothing from dresses to accented denim jeans and pants with matching jackets. The clothing came from C’est Leverne in Huntsville.

The following break proved just as entertaining as the show since many Greek organizations stepped to their favorite songs and audience members danced to hits like “This is How We Do It.”

The second set, showcasing the ‘90s, featured, oversized coats, unique handshakes, suspenders and a plethora of stripes.

Innovative Stylez Boutique’s fashion in the third segment featured jerseys, distressed jeans and shorts and camo jackets, with one having “Don’t touch my crown” on the back.

Laquience Boutique’s set brought attire for a night on the town, like neon pink tops, florals and jumpsuits.

The last segment was the Black segment, which Ferrar said was to address issues within the African American community.

“We knew from the beginning we wanted to make a political statement,” Fletcher said. “We threw in a little bit of ‘Black Lives Matter,’ and we also tried to pay homage to the Black Panther (Party).”

It began with Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have A Dream,” and the models performed to Beyonce’s “Freedom.” Throughout the segment, many displayed symbols such as praying hands, the “hands up, don’t shoot,” pose, and the Black power fist. As models walked the runway in black blazers, gowns and jeans, the last two clasped hands in a show of solidarity.

“It spoke a lot of truth about what’s been going on in our country, and the unity at the end with the holding hands of the white male and the black female (showed through),” said senior Jazmine McCleary.

Senior Ruby Villalobos said she enjoyed the passion the models had throughout the night.

“I really enjoyed that all of the participants seemed like they were committed to it and that they enjoyed themselves, which showed in their performances,” she said. “The meaning behind each (segment) showed through.”