Overnight, the Emory University Barnes and Noble Bookstore underwent a stunning transformation. A striking runway replaced the quiet, familiar space typically lined with academic apparel racks. High-energy beats pulsed through the store, completely shedding its book-centered atmosphere. As the evening arrived, well-dressed guests poured in, ready for a bold night of fashion.
Barnes and Noble and BLACKSTAR*, Emory’s first and only Black student publication, hosted a dazzling fashion show on March 28, showcasing Emory’s latest merchandise alongside BLACKSTAR*’s “To the Max” streetwear collection. Barnes and Noble General Manager Kate Stacks and Associate Director for Special Projects Cedric Blatch collaborated with the magazine to create this project. The first half of the show starred Emory merchandise, while the second featured BLACKSTAR*’s fashion line.
BLACKSTAR* Editor-in-Chief Zo Lorenzo (25C) explained that the organization aims to celebrate the Black community’s creativity by providing a platform for fashion enthusiasts.
“Originally BLACKSTAR* served as just a magazine for Black Emory highlighting the excellence, creativity and beauty within our Black population,” Lorenzo said. “Since I joined BLACKSTAR* as an Editor-in-Chief, I wanted to expand BLACKSTAR*’s reach by serving as a creative vessel for other orgs, and not just orgs, but just other departments at Emory.”
The bookstore reached out to BLACKSTAR* in July 2024 to collaborate on a fashion show, according to Blatch. He described his desire for the show to bring a fresh perspective to students.
“I had this idea in July of, ‘What if we did a fashion show to show off some of the merch?’” Blatch said. “I wanted to do something creative, something that maybe hadn’t been done before here at the university.”
The night started with a mixer, allowing the audience to mingle with fellow fashion enthusiasts. The audience members’ dress did not disappoint, as some styled sports jerseys, pleated skirts and stiletto boots — exuding individuality and reflecting the shared interest in style that brought them to the event. Among the guests, Ruth Wei (26PH) expressed her awe for the audience.
“I also noticed, not just people on the runway, but everyone else was dressed so nice, so fashionable,” Wei said.
As the show approached its start time, the audience entered the third floor of the bookstore. Upon arrival, a photo backdrop welcomed guests and visitors eagerly posed for snapshots. Further into the venue, a long runway stretched across the room, lined by rows of chairs for the audience.
The show opened with an energizing speech from Blatch, hyping up the crowd before the models took the stage. When the show began, the lights dimmed and music filled the room as the audience sat in anticipation.
The first half of the show featured the bookstore’s latest merchandise. The models strutted onto the stage, displaying their individuality with playful poses as the audience roared. One look featured a white Emory crop top paired with low-rise, ripped baggy jeans and a stylish pair of Timberland boots, all tied together with chunky accessories — adding a streetwear flair to campus merchandise.
The second half featured BLACKSTAR*’s streetwear collection, showcasing various influences from Black culture on fashion. These influences span across multiple eras, starting with the ’70s. In particular, the collection drew upon the fashion of popular Black artists throughout history.
“We did theme photo shoots on how these different Black eras influence fashion,” Lorenzo said. “We looked at Grace Jones, we looked at Prince.”
According to Lorenzo, another key element of BLACKSTAR*’s collection is maximalist themes, which embrace extravagance through layers, patterns and textures in clothing. The magazine wanted to blend historical influence and contemporary streetwear to understand and highlight the intricacies of Black fashion.
“We wanted to explore how certain Black aesthetics are seen as excessive but capture the beauty within the excess of Black culture — so crazy hairstyles, grills, heavy jewelry, really oversized clothing,” Lorenzo said.
The first model entered the stage in a camel-beige trench coat, sashaying down the catwalk as she mouthed along to a pre-recorded introduction to the show. As she approached the end of the stage, she paused, then reached the lapels of her coat and swung it off. The trench fell away, revealing an oversized dress shirt layered with multi-colored plaid designs, juxtaposing workplace chic with maximalist elements. The over-the-top introduction and the dramatic reveal set the tone for the show, cementing BLACKSTAR*’s unique character.
The show culminated with a final walk from all the models and the crowd cheered as they exited the stage. Audience member Sylvia Chang (26PH) reflected on the event’s impact.
“It really gives students the opportunity to show their creativity, to have a platform to share it with people in the community,” Chang said.
This novel intersection between campus apparel and student-designed streetwear celebrated Emory students and staff’s commitment to innovation. Not only did the event showcase the talent and creativity of the community, but it also testified to how the passions of the past and present can coincide.
“The sky’s the limit when it comes to creativity,” Blatch said. “You can do anything you want if you put your mind to it. And I want students to recognize — don’t let anyone tell you no. If you have an idea, find a way to execute it.”
