In today’s pop culture, one community consistently stands at the forefront because of their bold, daring and unapologetically unique fashion trends: the Black community.

Senior fashion design student, Paige Darling, embodies this force and has recognized it in her peers too. The idea to showcase garments by Black students first came to her in her Sophomore year, “I used to work in the building,” Darling said, who at the time noticed not only was there a lack of representation within fashion on campus, but most students didn’t even know about Oscar Ritchie Hall.

Oscar Ritchie Hall, named in honor of former Professor of Sociology and the first African American to serve on the faculty of any predominantly white university in Ohio, houses the Department of Africana Studies, the African Community Theatre and the Uumbaji Art Gallery, where the exhibition is being held. The building serves as a safe space for minority students to interact with their culture and for every student to learn about it.

Inspired by being in her last semester at Kent State, Darling decided to turn her two-year-old dream into reality. With a generous mannequin loan from the KSU Fashion Museum and moving services provided by Oscar Ritchie Hall, Darling was able to put the exhibition together at no cost to herself or the designers.

“I named it Trendsetters because I feel like the Black community isn’t very recognized for the trends that they put in the fashion industry and in the community in general,” Darling said.

Walking through the gallery, a common thread is evident: confidence.

“I think Black women are very confident and I think you have to be to go through the world. I think all of these designs really embody that confidence” Darling said. “Every piece feels strong, feels confident, feels sexy.”

Although the pieces are so unique, they complement each other in a way that makes them feel like a cohesive story. From Darling’s futuristic, Rick Owens style dress to Paris Bourn’s breakaway-sleeve, colorblock puffer it is clear that these designers are not afraid to do the unexpected.

“I think we’re all really finding our design styles, too, and who we are and how we wanna be known as designers and that probably really shows,” Darling said, who has three showstopping pieces in the exhibition.

For young designers, getting your work displayed can be the difference between falling through the cracks and finding success. At the exhibition’s opening night, many designers thanked Darling for the opportunity, which is one they will never forget.

Although she is graduating, Darling is hopeful this exhibit won’t be the last.

 “I think this would just be a great thing that’s doable to continue,” she said. After all, there definitely won’t be a lack of pieces to showcase—one thing about Black designers is that their confidence and ability to innovate will only continue to grow.

Check out “Trendsetters” in Oscar Ritchie Hall’s Uumbaji Art Gallery until April 30th.

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Hi! I’m Kayla Friedman, A Magazine’s editor-in-chief. My staff and I are committed to bringing you the most important and entertaining news from the realms of fashion, beauty and culture. We are full-time students and hard-working journalists. While we get support from the student media fee and earned revenue such as advertising, both of those continue to decline. Your generous gift of any amount will help enhance our student experience as we grow into working professionals. Please go here to donate to A Magazine.