Binghamton University Black Student Union annual fashion show Friday night was nothing short of fabulous. Students, alumni and 26 models gathered in the Events Center to support the 20th year of the show, which donates all of the night’s proceeds to BSU’s youth program.

‘We really want Binghamton students to know that this event is not about the fashion. It’s about the children with troubled backgrounds who we are helping with our youth program,’ said BSU member Janet Mejia, a senior majoring in sociology.

Charity is clearly very important to BSU, especially regarding the youth living in the city of Binghamton. The organization even welcomed two children to the stage who couldn’t get enough of the spotlight. But one of the biggest excitements of the evening was the Caribbean Student Association’s announcement that Elephant Man will be coming to Binghamton in November for its annual carnival.

The theme for this year’s fashion show was ‘The Innovation,’ because for the first time a male was presenting the show in a new and different way. The fashion show displayed the works of New York City designers, as well as designs from Binghamton’s very own Fashion Industry Club.

The show’s host and BSU’s social cultural coordinator, Gilbert Arias, conveyed the show’s ideal of creating a better community, from the line of green clothing made from recycled material to the ‘Gentlemen Scene’ which promoted treating ladies with respect and keeping it classy.

The ‘Green Scene’ showcased its avant-garde styles made completely from recycled materials. They utilized garbage bags, table cloths, newspapers and other materials to design dresses, pants, leggings, tops, skirts and so much more. It’s amazing what one can do with some rubbish as material. The models also tore up the stage with their odd, yet graceful movements that wonderfully complemented the structure of the garments.

The audience was dressed to impress and anxiously waiting for the show to start, which it finally did at 9:15 p.m. with the Triple L Society designed by Lawrence Nurse.

People took the stage two at a time, walking from opposite sides in mostly guy-girl pairings. The clothes started out chic-casual with sweatsuits and T-shirts, but were eventually elevated to vests and dresses. Navy and red were popular colors and defined zippers were a common trend.

Emcee Ariel ‘A Breezyy’ Pesante then announced the second scene: the ‘Feminist Scene’ designed by Regina Jean Paul.

Appropriately named, the section displayed the ladies in an empowering way. There were many short dresses with chains, lace and the color black as common themes. The models were very playful with each other in, by far, the most excellently coordinated section of the entire show.

There was a short break from the fashion festivities as X-fact’r took the stage in a near-perfect stepping performance that made the crowd go crazy.

Not to be shown up by the ladies, the men did their thing afterward in the ‘Gentlemen Scene.’ This selection was all about respectable men who treat women the right way. There was a lot of khaki, vests, sweaters, dress pants, boots and overall preppy clothing.

Next, the ‘Senior Moment’ took the stage as BSU seniors showed off their wares. Fraternity emblems were displayed and the seniors had a blast strutting their stuff for the audience.

The International Flag Dancers kept the crowd going during the show’s intermission featuring a coordinated hip-hop performance.

The last scene was the ‘Egyptian Scene,’ along with a performance by the Black Dance Repertoire.

Eileen LePage, a junior majoring in biology, said the show definitely did not disappoint.

‘The show was fantastic!’ LePage said. ‘It definitely exceeded my expectations.’