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Syracuse University senior and African Student Union president Luwam “Lulu” Ghebremichael wanted this year’s Rip the Runway to encapsulate the entirety of Africa. Models strutted looks ranging from the printed ankara fabric of West Africa to traditional celebratory Ethiopian pieces.

“I wanted people to know that every African land is rich,” Ghebremichael said. “We are full of riches not only in value but in beauty, in lifestyle, in culture, in every aspect.”

On Saturday evening, SUs ASU and Fashion and Design Society hosted their second annual collaborative runway show. This year’s theme was “Land of the Riches,” which captured various dimensions of African culture through fashion lines, created by three off-campus and three student designers. Around 150 students, alumni and faculty members attended.

Ghebremichael drew inspiration for “Land of the Riches” because she said many people only recognize African culture from western Africa because of the area’s comparatively larger population. When she reached out to both the ASU and FADS teams, they appreciated her inclusive perspective.

“We want to bring the two communities together,” Jada Williams, a junior and the president of FADS, said. “We want to get people from different backgrounds, diasporas, communities and get the FADS community more connected with other communities on the Syracuse campus.”

FADS and ASU executive board members began meeting in early July to review the show’s theme and plan each organization’s needs for styling, makeup and photography. Ghebremichael said working closely with Williams, who is also her friend, helped move along the show’s production.

Alexander Zhlitsov | Staff Photographer

Layers of African culture were showcased by student models at the recent ASU x FADS fashion show. Over 100 students, faculty and alumni were in attendance.

At the start of Saturday’s show, styled in a red mini dress and curly updo with a microphone in hand, Ghebremichael gently jogged across the stage to introduce Nigerian design company Obioma Fashion, one of the night’s three off-campus creatives.

ASU worked with Obioma three years ago for another runway show, so the organizations’ heads invited the brand to be a part of this year’s show too. Founded in March 2016 in Washington, D.C., Obioma combines western United States and African styles.

On Saturday, Obioma showcased ensembles from its recent lookbook, which included elements like colorful, traditional ankara fabric contrasted with exposed corsets, high-knee platform boots and lace tights.

“Land of the Riches” also incorporated entertainment interludes by on-campus dance teams Outlaws and One World. As they performed, many audience members cheered on their friends from the seats and sang along to songs including “Big Bank” by YG and “Truffle Butter” by Nicki Minaj.

Fallou, a Senegalese emigrant, designer and CEO of Harlem-based brand Baayfall Fashion, was the night’s final off-campus featured designer.

“Fallou understood the theme well and displayed her fashion to be artistically different and more cultivating under the fact that Africa is bigger than just what y’all think it is,” Ghebremichael said. “We’re all built with great-minded people, talented people who are working to bring our name up as Africa.”

When Fallou took the stage to present her line, she wore patchwork khaki pants and a crew neck that read “Live Long And Prosper.” She discussed her inspiration and creative process.

Fallou’s line included some intricate designs and concluded with 90’s-inspired streetwear looks of graphic t-shirts and hoodies styled with jeans, cargo pants, kitten heels, Timberland boots and gold jewelry.

“This is a legacy for me because spirituality touches deeper,” Fallou said. “Healing comes from knowing who you are. Healing comes from doing the shadow work. My fashion is always about the ancestors.”

Toward the end of the show, ASU e-board members invited audience members to gather on stage and practice their own model walks. Friends encouraged one another to show off their struts. They lined the back of the stage and walked, some alone and some in groups, to the sound of laughter and cheers erupting from the crowd.

Williams was the last student designer with a featured look. Ghebremichael encouraged her to display her project “Beautiful Chaos.” Though Williams said the collection didn’t necessarily go with the “Land of the Riches” theme, she was still proud to show it.

Near the show’s end, Sonia Issa, a 2023 graduate and current masters student at SU, was introduced as Miss Africa 2024. She walked confidently on stage to “BROWN SKIN GIRL” by Beyoncé, SAINt JHN and Wizkid. She posed in a navy blue gown adorned with glistening stones and a tulle train.

Alexander Zhlitsov | Staff Photographer

Sonia Issa, the winner of Miss Africa 2024, awarded by ASU, walked the backlit runway at the ASU x FADS “RIP the Runway: Land of the Riches” show.

The audience broke into applause once more as models took a final walk on the floor.

“Everybody has been so helpful and we’re so appreciative of everybody who’s in the FADS community and the ASU community for welcoming us with open arms,” Williams said. “This has been a great journey.”

Published on October 7, 2024 at 12:18 am