Updated as of 10:56 p.m. on March 10 to include photo gallery.
With every seat taken in Yeager Hall, Elon junior Kaia Brown’s “Flashback Fashion” debuted at 7:45 p.m. March 7, bridging students, community members, and families through international and timeless apparel.
After serving as creative director for Elon’s Black History Month fashion show, Simone Royal, interim associate director of the Center for Race Ethnicity and Diversity Education, pushed Brown into hosting a second fashion show funded by Elon Student Involvement and in collaboration with the CREDE and Late Night Elon.
“I was definitely going to take on the challenge to see where my creativity took me,” Brown said.
Inspired by the iconic runways of Gucci and Versace, the junior aimed for each model’s walk to reflect their personality, complement their outfit and align with the runway soundtrack, mixed by DJ and mixing engineer Nailah Ware. The event was envisioned as a “teaser” for next year’s fashion show.
During practice sessions held in Yeager Hall, McKinnon Hall, and Koury Studio 5, students such as sophomore Jamari Heredia shared their motivations for participating in such a demanding and culturally significant production such as cultural expression.
“Initially, I was recommended to this show by Simone from the CREDE, but it gave me an excuse to sew something, to create and express my culture too,” Heredia said.
Other students were drawn to participating in this event due to the current political landscape, like Finn Wilkinson.
“Right now, a lot of what’s happening in the political climate is geared towards disenfranchising minorities and also striping them of their culture. This show is about embracing your heritage and reshaping what 'American' means in today’s society through fashion,” Wilkinson said.
Models, including freshman Almarie Williams, expressed their anticipation for the grand opening, along with what they’ve found most enjoyable during the creation process.
“I’m excited to see how everything comes out because we’ve been practicing hard for this. Looks and everything coming together,” Williams said.
Outside of Yeager Hall, senior Shriya Baru hosted a pop-up table for her brand KOLIS USA, which Baru describes as being a business that proves “less is more.” During the intermission for the show, five models flaunted their designed apparel, holding open newspapers reading the brand’s name.
All the graphics used to introduce the models were made by Elon senior Clay Burns, a graphic designer. They read different categories, such as decades and different countries, aligning with the garments worn on stage. The first model to appear on screen was junior Aliyah Preston, setting the tone for the dynamic showcase.
Flashes of camera lights illuminated the stage as each model strutted forward, their walks bold and distinctive. Every look was different with some pieces entirely hand-sewn. Some models emerged from backstage, while others made unexpected entrances from the venue’s exits—all ploys to keep the viewer on their feet.
To the audience’s surprise, a woman elegantly rose from her seat, revealing a striking blue and white 60s-inspired ensemble. She took a left and walked toward the stage, playfully opening her lace parasol, drawing shouts of unexpected delight from the crowd.
“It was super cool and different from other kinds of events I’ve gone to at Elon,” audience member freshman Taylor Polonsky said. “While the designs were impressive creatively for pieces put together in just a month, I think half the enjoyment came from just how engaged the audience was with the models and their outfit performances.”
No two performances were alike. Some students took the stage with choreographed dance routines, while others commanded attention with a single, dramatic hair flip. For the grand finale, Kaia brought all the models back on stage.
The show ended in a thunderous roar of applause, the audience clapping and calling out for more. The energy in the room was electric — charged with pride, joy and an undeniable sense of significance.
“Each person was able to go out and perform on their own accord, with their music and style,” audience member junior Elijah Pegues said. “I wouldn't just come to another fashion show like that one. l'm going to be in the next one, count on that.”
Brown said the most rewarding part of the show was seeing the “smiles on everyone’s faces” — a vision that was fully realized by the night’s conclusion.
All models include: Aliyah Preston, Finn Wilkinson, Jamari Heredia, Will Leonard, Bella Pelini, Kaia Brown, Makila Boyce, Jordan Armstead, Almarie Williams, Kemari Logan, Manuel Anyimah, Taryn Vandiver, Tariq Johnson, Princess Lorde, Chiebuka Tor, Jason Adama-Tettey, Raven Donaldson, Omar Khamis, Jas Jackson and Jaylasha Starks.