Models of the Mecca (MOTM) held their latest class showcase dubbed "Ascension in Black," this winter. The program featured three sequences that brought spectators on a trip through Black expression, uprising, and renaissance. 

A model skates down the runway as the lights dim. The cameras flash. The music begins. The Class VI model showcase is underway. But who turns the light down? Who activates the camera lens? A group of 50 individuals worked together to bring the showcase to life and introduce new members to the campus community.

Model shows are interwoven in Howard University’s culture with annual showcases at Homecoming and Springfest. In between, Howard's model groups put on regular presentations to commemorate the initiation of new members. 

Conjuring a world that allows the viewer to lose themselves in the project each year, these shows are no easy task.

Ascension in Black combined two ideas conceptualized by Jada Lewis and Zora Allison: Ghetto Renaissance and "punk-rock, dystopian." Creative direction co-leaders, Phoenix Smith and Nadia Wong led the 11-person creative direction team to bring the vision to life. 

 “It strengthened my communication skills,” said Wong. “If I want to do this, I have to make sure that I am explaining it the best way possible.” 

Smith emphasized that creating mood boards requires more work than people think. “Pictures, words, words on top of the pictures, additional pictures on top of the words!” she said, frantically.  

After conceptualization comes execution. Each team worked diligently to carry out creative direction’s ideas.  

“For the first scene, it was more so geometric styles, you [saw] a lot of shapes and very intricate design,” said head hairstylist Jemima Peters. “The second scene was more seductive, so we had long hair, flowy hair, and lots of wig installs as opposed to the last scene where it was very afro-punk. That’s where you see a lot of afro-centric styles. We were able to communicate what the scenes were through hair, I definitely made sure I emphasized that this year.”

 11 stylists took on the challenge of dressing nearly 50 models. This tall task included sourcing all fashion looks for each model.  

Harris, alongside her team, designed the final looks for the ‘X’s Rebirth’ scene which was meant to reflect a story of the Black Renaissance and rebirth. It felt like the outfits were “meant to be” as each item was sourced from secondhand shops.  “The things that I made, [were] kind of like avant-garde pieces, things with a lot of volume, but also a fragileness, to the items but at the same time I still wanted to have an impact with strength,” said Cameron Harris, a student stylist, and designer. “So I added a lot of things with raw edges.” 

Jemima Peters, a lead hairstylist, took on a “motherly role” during the planning process, trying to ensure people were fed, problems were solved, and hairstylists felt confident while also holding each member accountable. 

“This is your name, this is your show, nobody is going out there looking like a mess,” she said

Just days before sending models down the runway, Smith and Wong were informed the items they ordered weren’t going to arrive in time. Smith recalled the two reminding each other to remain unwavering when relaying the information to their “kids,” the inexperienced Class VI creative directors.

Smith and Wong sent their team off to hunt through D.C. for replacements for the missing pieces soon after. Class VI creative director, Casandra Jones, felt this moment was pivotal in personifying the show. It spoke to the very themes they hoped to portray. 

“Repurposing items and things like that, in it of itself, is the future. Especially within Black culture, taking things recycling, and giving it new meaning,” said Jones. 

Though a fulfilling project, Smith was transparent about the “mental toll” putting on a great show takes on the modeling organization. In the two weeks leading up to the showcase, they spent most of their days in Blackburn, with each other. As Smith put it, “using all of their brain capacity” for the completion of the show. 

As the student creatives look to the future, they hope to take time for themselves. 

“It feels like I can breathe now,” says Harris.