Model in STYLE struts down the runway during the Cowboy Carter Fashion Show.
Western Michigan University’s S.T.Y.L.E. hosted a “Cowboy Carter”-themed fashion show Dec. 5 in the Student Center ballroom.
The show served as tribute to the music artist Beyoncé Knowles-Carter and as a way to celebrate black culture in the fashion industry.
“We incorporate a lot of aspects of our fashion shows that stem specifically from black culture and just celebrating that within each other and everybody,” said Sydney McCarrall, S.T.Y.L.E.’s community outreach chair. “That’s a really important piece of the fashion show that people should recognize.”
The aesthetic of the show was inspired by Beyoncé’s album “Cowboy Carter,” and most of the outfits worn by models were also inspired by the album.
“We had the theme of ‘Cowboy Carter’ which I adopted for my outfit tonight,” said S.T.Y.L.E. Model Efebaniel Evwaraye. “I took that and made it my own thing, adding some denim and my favorite pieces of jewelry.”
Earlier parts of the show were inspired by two other albums from Beyoncé, those being “Renaissance” and “Homecoming.”
“For the ‘Homecoming’ round I wanted to show more tribute to WMU,” said Lexi Hannah, the event coordinator of S.T.Y.L.E WMU and a model in the show. “My favorite event is on St Patrick’s day so I did a green WMU shirt and I cut it up and made it into a two-piece shirt.”
Hannah continued: “For my ‘Cowboy Carter’ look I wanted to have kind of a picnic table vibe, something playful and fun.”
Evwaraye was pleased with how the show ended and the social opportunities it offered.
“This has been a great chance to meet a lot of people and step outside of my comfort zone,” Evwaraye said.
Hannah shared similar sentiments.
“This is a very highly anticipated show,” Hannah said. “Because of that it felt good to know that all the work we contributed paid off and we could make something as amazing as this.”
McCarrall was appreciative of how dedicated the show was to the legacy of Beyoncé.
“My favorite part was definitely just the fact that it was Beyoncé and ‘Cowboy Carter’-themed and it was celebrating her and her art,” she said.
For more information on S.T.Y.L.E WMU and any upcoming events visit their Instagram page: @style_wmu.