Written by Nicolas Francis
League of Storytellers
Last Saturday, Geneseo’s own Caribbean student association hosted its annual fashion show for Carnival. Carnival is the Caribbean holiday celebrating indulgence before the fasting and reflection of Lent. It is normally two days of festivals, parades, parties and of course, fabulous outfits. This year’s theme was Blackout Fete. According to the CSA Blackout Fete is a Caribbean-inspired soca party and nightlife event where attendees wear all black attire.
The night started off with a member introduction for the people running the show, the CSA E-Board. The group is built up of 12 members, a few of whom are freshmen. These roles include the president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, PR of media, PR of arts, SA rep, ACE rep, choreographer, photographer, the creative director/event coordinator and the freshman rep. This section ended with a short speech by the president, Ambriah Wallace, which ended in her wish for us to enjoy the show and dinner. Speaking of dinner, it was a wonderful coconut curry shrimp for the entree, with white rice, rasta pasta, and maduros, or sweet plantations. And for dessert, vanilla cake and dulce de leche ice cream.
The first artistic act of the night was a vocal rendition of no games by Serani, followed by the first section of styles, Streetwear. This section highlighted the fusion of Caribbean culture with modern street fashion, creating looks that are both stylish and expressive. Outfits combined bold graphics, layered pieces, and statement accessories that reflect everyday influence both on and off the islands. It showcases how Caribbean identity continues to shape and inspire current fashion trends in a fresh, urban way. Many styles showcased jeans and other pants, hoodies or sweatshirts and some kind of accessory like a purse or piercing.
Directly after this section was a performance by the Zeta Phi Beta Incorporated chapter at SUNY Geneseo. Zeta Phi Beta is a historically black sorority that was founded at Howard University on January 16, 1920. It was founded on the core values of Scholarship, Service, Sisterhood, and Finer Womanhood. This was a spoken word performance cataloging the history of the sorority and also included a hand percussion performance during this section. This was followed up by a dance performance.
The next section was the cultural section. This section celebrated the deep-rooted traditions and heritage of the Caribbean and other cultures through fashion. Designs feature vibrant colors, symbolic patterns, and garments inspired by various islands and their histories. They also often included the flags of various countries. It serves as a powerful reminder of cultural pride, honoring the legacy and diversity that define the Caribbean experience. Many of these models were dressed in the flags, colors, and traditional ware of the various Caribbean (and a few non-Caribbean) countries.
After this section came “show your style.” This segment allowed participants to step outside of structure and fully express their individuality. Each look was unique, blending personal creativity with elements of Caribbean influence and modern fashion. But primarily it was unique to every model, what they normally wear. It highlighted confidence, originality, and the freedom to define one’s own sense of style.
The next event was a Kahoot on Caribbean trivia. The winner of this competition got the right to dessert first. This competition had questions like various true/false questions, guess the flag questions and questions about where various celebrities were born.
After this came the formal section. This section presented a more refined and sophisticated side of Caribbean fashion. Outfits were designed with elegance in mind, featuring sleek silhouettes, rich fabrics, and carefully crafted details. It demonstrated how Caribbean-inspired design can translate into polished, high-fashion looks suitable for formal occasions. These included dresses, skirts, suits, and other accessories that are associated with the more formal or elegant side of Caribbean culture.
The last section was the Carnival section. This was the largest, and most flamboyant section of the night. These outfits showcased often just bikinis or other similar clothing combined with large and imposing feather displays worn on the back of the model. Costumes are designed to stand out, featured bold colors, elaborate feathers and intricate designs that reflect the artistry of carnival traditions. There was also a gallery of previous carnival headdresses from other years. It captured the vibrant spirit and high-energy atmosphere of Caribbean Carnival celebrations. Each look embodies freedom, joy, and self-expression, bringing the lively essence of the islands to the runway. The movement, music, and dynamic presentation work together to create an immersive experience that mirrors the excitement of Carnival itself. This section not only entertained but also honored a cultural tradition that is deeply rooted in celebration, resilience, and community.
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