TASA Holds “The Vibrant Continent” Fashion Show at Trinity College

Bella Chirkis ’27

News Editor

On Saturday, Nov. 16, the Trinity African Students Association (TASA) held their 11th annual fashion show, culminating a week of events for Afro-Week 2024. This year’s theme for the show was “The Vibrant Continent,” and the show began at 8 p.m. at Mather Hall. The group organized an after party at Webster Hall in Hartford. The first 100 Trinity students at the door got in for free. With a late start, TASA brought in about 75 Trinity students cheering on their peers modeling traditional clothing. Students prepared their walks once a week for over a month and the club’s cabinet helped with leading the rehearsals. The show came together on Saturday, when the designers arrived at Trinity College and students had the opportunity to wear their designs for the first time, and walk the runway later that evening. 

In an interview with Selam Olson ’28, a first-time model in the fashion show, the Tripod was given a greater insight on the process of practice with the show and its preparation. The walks that each student did were highlighted with importance during the rehearsals, and they differentiated depending on what section each student modeled in. Each designer wanted different expressions to pair with their artistic clothing. 

“For my first walk, they said to be stoic and have a straight face. The other walks I was told to go with the music and be upbeat, more expressive and have fun with it. The first section, which was more modest, was more mindful while they were walking in order to be more traditional and appreciative of the design,” Olson said. Each section had articulate differences in expression and walking to further emphasize the idea of the clothing. Students modeled either by themselves or in pairs, and they all worked with one another to figure out what those pairs are and who worked well together. There were multiple sections with people who modeled just by themselves and then a specific section where the pairs wear coordinated outfits and walk down the aisle in sync. 

Olson’s attire was from the brand Obioma which is a company from Nigeria. The theme of the clothing is to mix traditional Nigerian styles with Western styles, and the brand works to implement Western elements into traditional clothing. The clothing was casual but still of high quality. When asked about the importance of the fashion industry, Olson stated what resonates the most with her: “An expression of culture. As a group in the fashion show, not everyone was African which made the show even better because we could appreciate the culture, and express one’s culture and background. The beautiful thing about the fashion industry is the way that expressing one’s culture is accessible.” TASA’s fashion show explored cultural identities through fashion and expression, and students were able to display pieces of them and their families to a large and uplifting audience. 

Olson wants to thank everyone who came to the show and supported it. Make sure to keep an eye out for future events by TASA on their Instagram @trincollasa.