Creativity, climate and community converge on Nov. 8 when Gifted Empowered and Motivated Sisters and Culture Works Collective present their third annual fashion show and art gala, “Black Environmentalism: A Fashion Show and Art Experience.”
The event invites fashion designers, artists, and attendees to explore the intersection of race, nature, and creative expression. GEMS Vice President RaMaya Taylor said she hopes the show inspires action and awareness to protect the environment.
“The importance of Black environmentalism is making sure that everyone has a safe space and also making sure that everyone knows what it takes to cure the community and cure the planet,” she said. “The planet is slowly dying, but if we spread this, if we do this theme and spread awareness, hopefully it would give people a sense of accountability and take action in that.”
Students can contribute as either designers or models, or submit their artwork to the gallery. Keeping with the theme, Deborah Onuosa, president of GEMS, encouraged designers to draw inspiration from thrifted pieces or their own wardrobes. Applications to participate are currently open and will close Oct. 10.
The theme, developed by GEMS Marketing and PR chair Grace Harris, was inspired by a talk given by journalist Vann R. Newkirk II last year at the Hall Center for the Humanities. Harris said she wanted to conceive a theme that reflected the way the environment affects Black communities in the U.S.
“As the environment and climate change gets worse, the more our communities are being affected by that, so I just had that thought of ‘we should really be focused on environmentalism.’ And then obviously with fashion, environmentalism comes in with things like fast fashion,” she said. “Thinking about how we can reduce our waste in fashion and how that helps conserve the environment.”
Black communities have always been at the forefront of environmentalism movements, advocating for clean air, safe drinking water and a more sustainable planet, according to the University of Arizona.
“[Black environmentalism] is important because it allows us to show our personalities and emotions,” Onuosa said. “It’s also important because, like, Black people have historically been behind and kind of thrifting has been a way for the less privileged to be able to have access to items. And I think through that, Black people using that to still be able to curate looks and look amazing is very important.”
The show’s past themes were Afrofuturism and Black Joy. Karmina Douglas, CWC president, said the themes and shows provide Black students the opportunity to share their artistry face-to-face with the KU community.
“It becomes much more personal and intimate when you’re able to get together in person to talk about why you do what you do or what you get inspired from,” she said.
Onuosa shared a similar belief on the themes.
“The importance of this event is just to give a space to Black people on campus, not only to show their creativity, but to also come together and just find like-minded people,” Onuosa said. “To be able to be appreciative of what our people are able to create, but also have a good time of community just celebrating one another.”
More information can be found on GEM’s Instagram and Culture Works Collective’s Instagram.
This article was edited by Head News Editor Elliot Akerstrom. If the information in this article needs to be corrected, please contact elliot.akerstrom@ku.edu.
