Click here to support our 100th year as the nation's oldest Black collegiate newspaper!
Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

The Hilltop

Variety

Models of the Mecca Present: Ascension in Black

Photo Credits: Tionne Thornton  @visuals_by.tee. Models: Chloe Adkins, Jaquan Anderson.

The room went pitch black, then, seemingly out of nowhere, a tall, skateboarding man welcomed the audience down the aisle to send the audience a message: the renaissance was coming. Models of the Mecca welcomed their sixth class to the organization by hosting a fashion show named Ascension in Black. 

Ascension means rising to an important position or higher level, which the class demonstrated at the showcase. Amber Nunnery, the Models of the Mecca president, believes class six is the most diverse class yet. 

“Class six is definitely one of the most diverse classes and it is the largest class since being founded,” Nunnery said. “I think what makes them different is they are very outspoken and passionate about their craft, but they really lean on each other to get stuff done.”

Photo credits: Brianna Bryson @bm.archivess Models: Samira El-Amin.

The showcase was divided into themes: Rebirth, Down in the Valley, and Zone VI. Nunnery went on to explain the meanings of each theme. 

“Our first scene highlights punk and our second scene is down in the valley, which encourages female empowerment and feminism overall,” Nunnery said. “Our third scene is Afrofuturism, so going into the future and what it looks like for Black people.”

Sophomore advertising major Jada Lewis is one of the creative directors for this year’s class. She said that the creative direction team wanted to show that there is more to Black people than suffering. 

“We wanted to make it to where we are presenting Black culture in a way that has not been seen before,” Lewis said. “We made sure we were not duplicating anything that has been done before while also showcasing a different side of Black people instead of suffering, revolution, and having to protest.” 

The first scene was all Black mafia inspired with hints of metallic. The rager scene reminded the audience of the Mugler Campaign that was just shot two weeks ago. The difference between the two stood out because of the unusual items the clothing was made out of. One outfit that stood out during this set was made out of metallic plastic hands covering her breast area and a handmade skirt made of cotton gray gloves pinned together by silver safety pins. 

Class six stylist Asaad Martin was one of the masterminds behind the wardrobe for scene one. He gave insights into what the vision was. 

“It’s a futuristic look on the actual Zone six. Think of what the ghetto would be like if it was futuristic so a lot of Black, a lot of chrome, and a bunch of oversized looks,” Martin said. “We ended up sewing a lot of things that look like silhouettes but larger.” 

Sophomore BFA Musical Theatre major, Nia Potter, says that her alter ego comes out when she models. 

“I get adrenaline the moment I step on the stage and just that transformation into your alter ego,” Potter said excitedly. “My alter ego’s name is Nia Imani and she’s just everything I want to be in a person. She’s fearless and she just has this presence when she walks into a room.”

From the dark rage theme to the metallic bikini outfit with stripper heels and the angelic ending, the Models of the Mecca did not disappoint. The show ended with the popular song “Alien Superstar” by Beyoncé and received a standing ovation.

Copy edited by Alana Matthew

Advertisement

You May Also Like

Columns

With top talent, major investments and innovative perks, the Unrivaled Basketball League’s inaugural season proved a player-owned league can thrive while reshaping women’s basketball.

NEWS

The ACLU of Washington, D.C. issued a letter imploring local universities to protect their students' First Amendment rights in light of student arrests.

Columns

The Dominican Republic enforces strict immigration policies against Haitians while demanding fair treatment for its own migrants abroad, creating a double standard.

Variety

Playboi Carti’s “I Am Music” shattered streaming records of the year so far, and his Opium label has evolved into an aesthetic that has...

SPORTS

Ten Howard football players display their talent in front of NFL scouts in pursuit of their professional dreams.

CAMPUS

Students navigate scholarship and internship applications amidst official transcript delays in Howard’s Office of Registrar.

CAMPUS

Members of Howard’s Speech and Debate Team expressed frustration over “Best Team” title misrepresentation and alleged bad sportsmanship.

Columns

Conservative lawmakers are using vague language to justify censorship, forcing teachers and librarians into self-censorship out of fear, silencing marginalized voices and threatening fundamental...

Columns

Pharmaceutical companies fund most clinical research, shaping medical science to favor profit over patients. How does industry influence distorted outcomes and what can be...

Variety

Howard’s K-pop dance team, 1 Of A Kind (1OAK), became the first HBCU team to compete in a local all-girl-dance group showcase, blending Black...

Variety

The Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts hosted a one-night-only staged reading of the late Chadwick Boseman’s play, “Deep Azure” at the Howard...

NEWS

As President Donald Trump continues his reduction of the federal workforce, some of D.C.’s residents are feeling the impact of these decisions.

CAMPUS

Nikole Hannah-Jones told a crowd of fellow Howard students and faculty at The 1619 Project screening that the Emmy Award-winning series “could not be...

NEWS

In an executive order signed by President Donald Trump, the National Law Enforcement Accountability Database (NLEAD) was deactivated at the beginning of his term.  ...