The “African Fashion Show” presented by the Black Student Union proved that a fashion show isn’t just about walking the runway.

Loud rhythmic beats of popular West African drums started off the two-hour event that featured traditional and modern African clothing where models not only showcased the outfits, but eight different important scenes taken from African traditions and culture at Cesar Chavez Student Center’s Jack Adams Hall.

Melanie Eke, BSU event coordinator at SF State, bridged together a theatrical aspect while incorporating fashion where models ended each act with a strut and a pose.

“This fashion show is just a little spiced up,” said Eke, 20, “with attitude added to it.”

Audience members were shown traditional African birthdays where money was showered on a birthday girl, a dance and court an African queen, the process of naming a newborn child, a traditional African wedding and the popularity of hairstyling and drumming in the culture.

Garments worn were bold and colorful, representing each scene appropriately. This showed the audience the proper wear for each occasion and still kept it visually fashionable.

Silk, which made up the majority of fabrics used, according to Eke, flowed and shimmered while detailed hand-embroidery sparkled beneath the spotlights.

All the clothing featured as traditional were borrowed from Black Specialty Gifts, a gift shop located on Ocean Avenue between Granada and Miramar Avenue.

Along with the various traditional style of African wear, SF State alumna Talia Taylor showcased her more modern influenced line of clothing that featured casual wear, bold prints and bright colors.

“[My designs] have hip hop flare, a bit skater-ish with African aesthetics,” said Taylor, 23.

Taylor’s creations were sold at the event with 10 percent of the proceeds going towards her recently created FLOW Study Abroad Scholarship that will help sponsor African American students who are interested in studying abroad.

Printed t-shirts were laid on a table, many with the print “African Queen” as the art and design.

“To me, there is no other way to describe a women, period,” said Taylor. “It’s our legacy.”

Taylor credits her inspirations in her designs to her personal experiences, struggles with image and class issues. She describes her line of clothing as untraditional and edgy.

“African Fashion Show” model Teela Watts modeled Taylor’s light khaki blazer with a bold print of the word “Colored” along the back with a glittering outline of Africa below.

“It’s fun to get to do something for ourselves and enjoy our African fashion,” said Watts, 23.

SF State junior and BSU King’s coordinator, Coby Obiesie, wore a fancy navy blue and white dashiki, a men’s garment widely worn in West Africa that covers half their body, which he got in Nigeria four years ago.

“We may be in America, but we are not disconnected from our roots,” said Obiesie, 20. “The attire expresses our connection to our root, reveals more of a pride in our culture and it means being comfortable with our African identity.”

For Taylor, the fashion show is an opportunity.

“It gives us a chance to embrace our own aesthetics instead of conforming to what mainstream says is beautiful,” said Taylor. “It also allows us to appreciate each other and each other’s natural beauty.”

SF State senior Erin Haywood, co-host of the event, says the traditional clothing is a connection back to the origin and ancestry of African culture.

“Clothing is a big part of our ancestry,” said Haywood, 21.

Along with clothes, the fashion show featured traditional dancing from the Negro Student’s Association, narrative description of each scene, reading of traditional African proverbs and a comedic skit.

“The best part about this show is being able to share with others African culture as a whole and teach them about African customs and traditions,” said Eke. “After giving a glimpse, I hope everyone would want to do more research about the African culture on their own.”

“Our goal is to make sure everyone leaves here with something taught,” she said.