It's More Than Just Modeling

By Annika Jones
Spectrum Staff Writer

     From Naomi Campbell to Tyra Banks to Iman, modeling, especially among Black people, has risen to catch the attention of audiences everywhere. The legends that we praise have set the standard for the rooms and runways that newcomers are gracing. The catwalk has given opportunities to the faces and bodies of talented entertainers and the business continues to evolve through time. The expansion of talent and individuality that has presented itself through recent years has shown proof of the versatility and variety that embodies just what modeling is. 

     There is a vast amount representation in present day modeling that has broken the barriers put up by the past precedents of the modeling industry. From male models to plus size models, so much room has been created for people of all different sides of spectrum to come together. The limits have surpassed the sky and anything is possible in the world of fashion and showcase.

     With the Met Gala taking place in early May, the world of fashion is preparing for one of its biggest events of the year. A showcase of fashion where celebrities in every genre come together to display their best looks for the charity event held at the Metropolitan Museum in New York City. You can always expect to see the biggest names in fashion put their best foot forward to impress the nation with their artistic abilities.

     Now, at Bowie State University, the premier modeling groups have come together to showcase their modeling talent at the Bowie Torchfest Fashion Show. Kush Models and Bowie Models Inc. debuted incredible looks for students to appreciate and admire. Fashion pieces designed by Kinetic Styles and Kerosine Styles were modeled by men and women and all shapes and sizes.

     Kush models is a DMV based collegiate group that showcases photography, modeling, dance, and theater production. They have chapters across the universities in the DMV and hold workshops, auditions, and fashion shows. The hold community events such as Kush Week that took place at Bowie State University where they held an Olympic sports event, a pajama party, a headshot workshop, and an introductory round up where they held information to join or support the group.

     Bowie Models Inc. was also in attendance with diverse and creative looks. They are also a modeling group on Bowie State University’s campus that holds workshops, fashion shows, and performance art. They are laser focused on entrepreneurship, inclusion and expansion through networking and culture. Even as a relatively new group on campus and only having been around a year and a half, they have managed to put on several seminars and participated in quite a few fashion shows.

     At the Torchfest Fashion Show, they went all out. The energy was high as the walks on the catwalk were on point, precise and nearly touched perfection. The audience was highly engaged with the show and one particular audience member, Jasmine class of 2025, was “there for it all”. As a fan of both Kush Models and Bowie Models Inc., she was highly supportive of all the participants in the show and was excited to see the looks they would showcase.

     Designers Kerosene and Kinetic were two big artists in the show. Kinetic styles is a versatile brand that makes swimwear, outerwear, luxury, athletic, and street wear fashion designs. They crafted many pieces for the fashion show that were inclusive with various style options. Kerosene gave streetwear fashion that was trendy and tasteful to the audience who loved every piece.

     These fashion groups have given way to the special and uniquely creative minds that walk the streets of our campus daily. The outlet the groups provide is expansive and necessary. The vision that is executed every time these models walk is the true essence of artistic expression that is prevalent in modern day entertainment.

       Watching these groups support and uplift each other also shows how inclusive and inviting these groups are to welcoming people from all catwalks and runways of life to be themselves.