BSA Fashion Show 2025

I was lucky enough to attend the BSA’s 2025 annual fashion show on February 21st, and let me tell you, it was spectacular. A celebration of black culture as well as culture in general, the show blended tradition with sustainability and innovation, creating an unforgettable experience. Here’s a breakdown of some of the highlights of this show:

HBCU Greek Life Merch

The show opened with its first runway, a homage to HBCU Greek life, celebrating the vibrant heritage and culture of fraternities and sororities within the history of HBCUs. Featuring merch from well known black fraternities and sororities such as Alpha Kappa Alpha, Alpha Phi Alpha, and Kappa Alpha Psi, this runway served as a proud declaration of identity and community and its historical importance within society.

Hard Truthz

True to its name, the “Hard Truthz” runway was unapologetic and raw. The streetwear collection presented was stylish yet gritty, embodying the essence of urban life and urban street wear. Bold graphics and unfiltered messages made each piece its own statement, demonstrating the brand’s motto of staying true to your authentic self. This runway was more than just fashion; it was a message, a movement, reflecting the authenticity of street culture and edge.

Throwback to 80’s-90’s

Up next was an 80’s to 90’s era throwback, hailing to the iconic streetwear trends that held those decades in a chokehold. A combination of oversized denim, tracksuits, and retro prints created a colorful celebration of the past.

Slim Sodane

The next segment featured the Providence born and made brand, Slim Sodane. Known for a focus on sustainability and affordability, the local brand lived up to its motto of “look good, feel good”. Each meticulously handmade piece combined street style with eco friendliness, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability without compromising authenticity.

MSSS + JWU Dance Team Performance

Scattered in between the various runways were performances by the JWU dance team as well as JWU’s very own majorette, stomp n shake, and step team, MSSS! Bringing energy and rhythm to the stage, both teams performed a wide variety of choreography to multiple prominent artists, such as Tyla, Rihanna, and Beyonce. With a seamless blend of traditional and contemporary styles, these performances reflected the overall theme of the night, which was celebrating black culture and culture as a concept.

Cultural Heritage

Celebrating diversity, the cultural heritage runway showcased models in the traditional designs of their culture. Flags representing each model’s heritage, as well as brief musical segments, added a beautiful reminder of the intertwining of culture and fashion and how it should be celebrated.

Black Out

Concluding the event was the powerful black out runway. Models and performers alike were dressed in all black clothing, ranging from casual to formal wear, creating a striking yet understated visual. Dramatic lighting and music lended to the significance, leaving a lasting impression and leaving you wanting for more.

Overall Impression

The fusion of different themes surrounding culture made this event the standout show it was. This wasn't just a fashion show, it was a celebration. It was a celebration of black culture, as well as a celebration of cultures and community around the world. Each runway was pristinely curated, in order to best demonstrate the overall theme of the night. It is safe to say BSA succeeded in creating a platform where the intertwining and celebration of fashion and culture once again.