Under the glow of gallery lights and the anticipation of a live audience, student designers took to the runway as the Sevyn Fashion Modeling Troupe transformed the Crossman Gallery into more than an exhibition space April 4. For one night, it became a stage where personal expression, artistic vision and campus creativity combined in a striking, all-black showcase.
This year’s theme, “Noir,” drew inspiration from both the French word for black and its association with dark, moody themes in literature and film. The concept was divided into three distinct eras: dystopian, modern-day and utopian, each offering a different interpretation of the theme while maintaining a cohesive aesthetic.
The show opened with the dystopian era, introduced by Sevyn officer and sophomore Cherish Henson, who served as narrator throughout the night. Her descriptions helped frame each collection and guide the audience.
“Dystopian means unapologetically distressed, utility over luxury, with every rip telling a story,” Henson said.
The looks in this section leaned heavily into deconstructed fashion, with layered fabrics, distressed materials and utilitarian styling that emphasized survival and resilience. Each outfit told its own story, reflecting a world shaped by chaos and adaptation.
The entire show was designed by Sevyn president Adian Parks, a junior majoring in liberal arts who began conceptualizing the event nearly a year in advance. While Parks led the creative vision, he emphasized the collaborative effort behind bringing the show to life, crediting members of his fashion committee, Ramita and Jeremiah, for their contributions.
“I knew I was going to have to come up with a fashion show, and for some reason, both black and eras spoke to me. I wanted to intertwine those together,” Parks said.
The second era, modern-day, shifted the tone from survival to self-expression. Henson described the era as bold and trend-driven, drawing inspiration from early 2000s fashion.
“Modern-day is represented by something bold and fashionable; think Y2K,” Henson said.
This portion of the show featured a mix of streetwear and contemporary styles, from reworked denim to statement accessories like hats, hair scarves and layered jewelry.
Models rotated through each era with little overlap, allowing each segment to stand on its own. The Crossman Gallery was transformed to match the theme. Paintings and display cases were cleared out, leaving a minimalist environment that placed full attention on the runway and outfits. The set design was intentionally simple but effective. A backdrop of newspapers with a spray-painted logo contrasted the white walls serving as dressing partitions. Dim lighting enhanced the moody, noir atmosphere. The stripped-down space allowed not just the clothing but also the models wearing it to take center stage.
Several pieces in the show reflected an emphasis on sustainability and creativity through upcycling. Rather than relying on entirely new materials, designers thrifted clothing and reimagined it into something original.
“We all thrifted and took clothes, pieced them together, redid them, remitted them; kind of like upcycling,” Parks said. “However it’s really important to also remember the theme, especially in fashion, because it goes beyond just wearing clothes.”
Between eras, the show paused for an interactive intermission that invited audience participation. Along with refreshments, attendees were given the opportunity to step onto the runway themselves, posing for professional photos and briefly becoming part of the show. Many audience members arrived dressed to match the noir theme.
Following the intermission, the final era, utopia, brought the show to a very sleek and polished end. In contrast to the distressed dystopian looks, this segment emphasized precision, structure and refinement.
“Think precision, perfection, sleek and sharp,” Henson said. “Leather dominates this era as it is both polished and demanding. This is what we call evolution.”
The show closed with a final statement that tied all three eras together.
“Three visions, three eras, one color: this is Noir,” Henson said.
For Parks, the event was not only about showcasing fashion, but also about establishing Sevyn’s presence on campus as a creative force.
“I hope they take away that Sevyn Modeling Troupe runs the fashion in Whitewater and that this show represents what we can do and what we can create,” Parks said.
