Black Fashion in Action
Vanier Black Student Union Fashion Show with J. A. Boateng
Formerlly called the Pana African Society, Black Student Union (BSU) organizes a fashion show every year during Black History Month. The first fashion show was held in 2017 and this year’s will be on Friday, February 27th. The club President Jedidah Adomako Boateng has been overseeing the club since Fall 2025.
The purpose of the club is…
“To have [a] space for Black students to strive, to [share] any concerns or comments, and just to be themselves without having to be seen as different, weird, or even loud. It’s a space for us to be ourselves. We promote Black excellence whenever we see a kid who’s not doing well or a kid who thinks about dropping out. [W]e try our best to give them resources. Our goal is [to promote] Black excellence in every aspect of life.”
Who came up with the idea of having a fashion show?
“Catherine Dorcas Boateng (my older sister).”
Black culture is rooted in so many aspects of life. Of all the different ways to present it, why a fashion show?
“Fashion, food, and language are the biggest thing that build a culture. When you think of your culture, you think of the fashion, the food, and the language. [S]o for us to show Black culture, I felt like fashion was one of the best ways. Yes, everybody knows our food [which is] Caribbean African, African-American, etc… [B]ut fashion is such an underrated way to show people what we – [Black people] – have done. If you’re not a fashion fanatic, [and] you don’t know about Naomi Campbell, these are things that could be taught.”
Explain to the readers what the process of putting together a fashion show looks like. From finding models, finding outfits, funding, designing the set, music, lighting, photo and videography, etc.
“Kirsten and Student Life are the greatest assets that anybody in the school can ever have. She was able to have funding put aside for the fashion show. [To find models], we have to just flat out ask. I am now very used to rejection, but it’s fun nevertheless and the people that do come have a great time. For the clothes, we have a woman named Jane, she makes the clothes, and she rents them to us. For the traditional and formal section of the modern section, we find Montréal designers to showcase their designs, and if the models have outfits that make them feel confident, they can bring them and model them. It’s all about expressing yourself, being creative and confident. We have a team that designs the set and makes if feel like it’s not Jake’s. For photo, videography, and music we look to the Vanier clubs. The photography club, Vanier television, and the DJ club are all gonna help with the show and we are very excited and grateful to showcase the talent of the Black people at our school.”
What is the most challenging element when organizing such a large-scale event?
“The most challenging things are making everything accurate to our exact vision and making everyone happy. [B]ut my team and I are doing a great job so far and we hope that all the Black history month events go great.”
What are some of the main differences from the very first BSU fashion show compared to this year’s fashion show?
“The very first fashion show was done during a different era in Vanier, back when it used to be a predominantly Black school. There was a lot of volunteer models, and a lot of people came out to see the show from Dawson, Marianopolis, and other schools. In comparison to this year‘s fashion show, there’s a few less models, but don’t worry, I’m on that. However, we have a higher quality of clothing, of performances, and just a little bit of a higher calibre in general. We now have a makeup artist, a hairstylist, performers, a DJ, etc. So it’s just a little bit of a higher calibre than it was. We’re doing all of this to remind people that we’re Black and we’re still here in Vanier.”
Why is it important to promote Black History and culture at Vanier?
“When people think [about] Black people at VC, there’s normally a negative [thought that comes to mind] or just something stereotypical. My goal is to not only promote the culture, but [to] remind people that we’re not just loud Black people. We are the culture. We are the moment. [W]e are the movement.”
Why is it important to keep the legacy of the BSU fashion show alive?
“It represents history, culture, and community. When past coordinators like Catherine and Pearl led it, they didn’t just organize a show. They built something meaningful. They created a space where Black students could feel seen, celebrated, and proud. Keeping it alive honours the work they put in. It shows that what they started mattered and still matters. It also keeps the tradition going for the next generation. New students get the same opportunity to express themselves, showcase talent, and feel connected to their culture.It’s about legacy, family, and community and making sure the impact doesn’t stop. And for the future team good luck and I wish you well.”
Last year, it was observed that notall models were Black students. Explain to the readers the importanceof diversity and inclusion through the lens of this annual project.
“Our goal is for people to know that we are here. [I]n the past couple of semesters I have been here, the Black community at Vanier has been divided so I wanted to bring us together. I want diversity in the show because having people that are not Black appreciate our culture instead of appropriating it is a very big thing for me. I want everyone to feel welcomed and honoured to be a part of this.”
What do you hope people take away from this year’s fashion show?
“I hope people leave feeling proud, inspired, and connected. I want them to see that Black creativity, culture, and style are powerful and diverse. This show isn’t just about clothes it’s about identity, history, and expression. I also hope people take away a deeper appreciation for Black designers, models, and artists in our community, especially here in Montréal. Most of all, I hope they leave feeling empowered like they just witnessed something meaningful, bold, and unforgettable. We have the Vanier dance team that I’m very excited for that and I hope the Insider is too.”
Photo Credits: Kristen Whitelaw
