- Obi Agbo,
President of A Trend to Follow
I can’t help but stare as the models for A Trend to Follow’s upcoming fashion show gracefully strut across the stage. I am in awe at how poised they are, as though they don’t have a care in the world. The runway is their domain.
As a brand new student organization at ISU, A Trend to Follow feels it has a lot to prove. The group aims to produce creative events on campus, with the upcoming fashion show being used to spotlight important social issues. Through a dazzling blend of clothing, poetry and music, the goal is to leave a lasting impression on the audience.
The event will be staged in the Brown Ballroom on March 29, at 7pm. But for the moment, rehearsals are the center of attention.
After the last model walks, modeling coordinator Simone Matthews has them file in for a quick review.“You all did very well,” she says in a stern, yet pleased, tone. “Next time you take the stage we want to see everything you’ve got. We want you to make us feel like we are the audience on the day of the show. Bring it!”
The models listen attentively and nod as she speaks. I notice how close they sit to one another; as if they’ve known each other for ages. They giggle as other coordinators crack jokes and offer suggestions. These people have become a tight knit group; a family within the university.
Model Jannay Dionne nods when I suggest this to her. “We’ve all gotten extremely close since we started working on the show,” she says as she adjusts her high heels.
“It’s hard not to befriend people you see on a regular basis. We spend so much time together! I’m just glad we all get along because that makes practices fun and things run more smoothly.”
Jannay is an ISU junior, and a veteran in the modeling business. She has been working the runway since the age of 11; although A Trend to Follow’s fashion show will be her first on campus.
“For years I’ve been looking for an original event to be a part of and this show is exactly what I’ve been looking for,” she says. “Our show is informative. We don’t just model the clothes, we tell a story and I love the way it has been produced. I’m very glad I chose to be a part of this event.”
As Jannay and the other models line up for a second round of walking, I slip away to speak to Obi Agbo, the president of A Trend to Follow.
Obi is watching as the runway fills with high heels and beautiful people. Although he tries to give me his full attention, his eyes often wander back to the stage as he checks on the progress.
“They’re gorgeous aren’t they?” I say as we both stare. “Yea,” Obi replies. “More importantly, I think we’ve managed to pick some of the most dedicated models on ISU’s campus. They are the key factor for a successful show. I seriously think this is going to be a huge hit.”
So what makes this fashion show different?
“I want to give my university something they’d never seen before,” Obi says. “I’ve been to about three or four fashion shows at ISU and though each of them was well put together, none of them provided any kind of educational value for students. They didn’t present any life lessons.
" We have all kinds of social issues on this campus that are constantly overlooked. Nobody wants to touch on them - I’ve chosen to bring them to light.”
Obi drops his head a little and begins to stroke his chin. “As a minority student here at ISU, there are a lot of things I’ve noticed,” he says with a somber look in his eyes.
“I don’t notice many bad things necessarily, but there are little things that truly upset me. Like the way certain races stick together at parties or how student organizations with members of one particular race are reluctant to collaborate with organizations of another predominant race. I look at all of those things.
“For years I haven’t done anything about the things I’ve seen and that lack of action bothered me,” he continues. “Now that I am in the position to make a change I’ve taken that opportunity, that is how this fashion show came about.”
As a minority student myself, the words strike home. I too, have sometimes felt as though ISU needs to work on some aspects of its level of diversity. “Our show, Society in the Mirror, is not your ordinary fashion show,” Obi says. “It tells numerous stories of racial and gender stereotyping. It brings these types of situations to light and enables students to look at their peers in a different setting
“We touch on all areas of stereotyping, from ‘dumb blondes’ to ‘ghetto African Americans’. It is still a touchy subject but it is one that needs to be addressed. Students need to know that we have to stop allowing our views of others divide us; especially on a campus overflowing with opportunities.”
As I finish jotting down the last sentence, I ask if Obi had any more comments for me. After a second or two I realized he hadn’t heard me at all. Once again he is looking at the progression of his event; his dream turning into reality. I smile and continue watching his vision unfold.
On the night of the show the models will be joined by poets, singers and rappers, who will bring their own talents to the spectacle. It promises to be nothing short of spectacular.
I know I’ll be sitting front row. And I hope my peers will be there too, ready for a reality check; for a chance to see how society truly is.
I hope they are ready to view society in the mirror.