Diamante Fashion Show Georgetown Friday Party

Dim purple-hued light permeated Gaston Hall as the audition buzzed in anticipation for the Diamante Way Prove, presented by the Georgetown Program Board. With a single spotlight on his face, Howard University student TK broke out into Nina Simone'southward archetype '60s song, "Feeling Proficient." As his stunning falsetto reminded attendees that "it's a new dawn, it's a new life, information technology's a new day," anticipation for the coming spectacle reached its height.

A brusque VICE News video began to play, opening with Martin Luther King's iconic "I Accept a Dream" speech. The clip portrayed Viola Davis emphasizing the importance of inclusion and diversity in her acceptance voice communication for the 2015 Emmy Award for outstanding Pb Actress in a Drama Serial, when she became the first black woman to win an Emmy in the category. The video went on to show the heartbreaking backwash of the Orlando nightclub shooting on June 12, 2016.

In but the first xv minutes, the show pushed its audition to deeply ponder the racism, homophobia and terrorism creating deep divides in this country. The terminate of the video obliquely referenced the prove's title, posing the question: "Diamonds are formed under pressure. What will you lot become?"

The get-go collection to go down the catwalk was "VI.II.6" or "626," designed by Maryland native Dominique Thomas. Colour blocks accentuated the singled-out shapes of the pieces, which include flared trousers, daring ingather tops and zippered vests in whites, blacks, reds and nudes.

"Young Genius Wild," a collection designed by Camion Horton (GRD '17) and Deshaun Rice (COL '19), came side by side, consisting mostly of unproblematic notwithstanding effortless pullovers with "YGW" emblazoned beyond the breast.

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The testify's highlight was undoubtedly the energetic dance performance to Beyoncé's "Flawless," choreographed and performed past the talented Francis Kendoll (COL '21) alongside 8 female person dancers. The fierce trip the light fantastic toe moves aligned perfectly with the lyrics' message of female empowerment and gender equality.

During the song's bridge, Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's voice penetrated the hall, defining the word feminist equally "the person who believes in the social, political, and economical equality of the sexes." Here, the show yet again used artistic forms to creatively advocate for social modify.

The collection of Jess Frankovich (COL '20), "2004 Uncle," was a mix of sometime and new, with vintage-way off-the-shoulder shirts, dungarees and sweatshirts that nodded to previous decades while staying modern.

Casual and simple, the pieces presented by the brand "Ideas Over Money" featured a mix of monochrome sporty pieces and structured coats; a noteworthy outfit in the drove was a long, gray, oversized jacket paired with burn-embroidered jeans.

Next, Georgetown a capella group Resonant Essence Alive sang a touching cover of Reverend James' "I Don't Believe He Brought Me This Far to Get out Me" in honor of the recent Parkland, Fla. shooting victims, whose faces were displayed on the screen.

The lyrics' message of hope among suffering and hurting parlayed perfectly into the monologue written by Nadra Dennis from the Center for Multicultural Equity and Access and performed by DeJaNeal Brown (NHS 'xix). The monologue commanded the earth to "wait for my shine" and encouraged individual and collective empowerment.

Bounding down the runway with a jukebox slung over his shoulder, Norman Francis Jr. (COL '20) debuted the "Online Thrift Shop" collection wearing a vintage royal blue biker jacket absolute with multicolored stripes. The models who followed also held props such as flowers and camcorders to reflect the playfulness of the '90s that the entire collection paid homage to.

The highlight pieces of the line were a dazzling blue evening gown with a plunging neckline and an off-the-shoulder leather jacket that post-Danny heartbreak Sandy from Broadway's "Grease" would have coveted.

Spoken word creative person Summer Time'southward (COL '18) powerful performance of her poem "Fractions" explored her difficulties trying to discover wholeness inside herself despite her mixed heritage. Her confident decision — "I am as whole as I will ever be" — evoked loud applause from the audience, which was left feeling inspired.

Although the show experienced some technical difficulties and had slightly long transitions, Howard University's DJ Noble successfully entertained the oversupply with rhythm and blues throwbacks and rap anthems such every bit Migos' "Motor Sport."

Men's fashionwear was noticeably strong, and the floral blazers and bomber jackets of the brand "Kourageux" and the checked puffer jackets of the make "HOODVLM" were particularly memorable.

Still, the standout drove of the night was "House of Clyopatra," designed by Nigerian native Ify. Opening with striking multicolored swimsuits, the line had an every bit impressive evening collection, with beautifully structured head ties and gowns adorned with bold West African prints.

As the models strutted down the catwalk for the last time, they held placards with statements celebrating aspects of their identities: "I am bisexual," "I am Latinx," "I am biracial" and "I am an immigrant." The placards highlighted the incredible diversity of the models in the show.

Finally, the evidence'due south curator, Kevin Adonis Martinez (COL '20), took to the stage to receive a boutonniere of flowers and a well-deserved round of applause. Clearly emotional, he exposed his vulnerability when he told the audition about his past struggles with low self-esteem.

"At a betoken in my life, I didn't know my worth. … I failed to realize I was human," Martinez said.

Although the thought-provoking and powerful performances made the testify's themes crystal clear, Martinez underlined the purpose once more, catastrophe his give thanks-yous spoken language with an affidavit of human worth.

"Diamante is about beingness a unique diamond and how everyone should exist prized," he said.