Members of the Sigma Delta chapter organize fashion show to celebrate Black History Month and gather clothing donations for St. Vincent DE. Paul. 

On Friday, Feb. 22 Oregon State University’s Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. will be hosting a fashion show in the Memorial Union Ballroom at 6:00 p.m. The Black Effect: A Look into the DeKades of Black Fashion is a fashion show consisting of numerous outfits put together by student designers that represent African American fashion throughout the decades.

The Sigma Delta chapter has been on the Oregon State Campus since 2000; it is a dual chapter between the University of Oregon and Oregon State. Alpha Kappa Alpha was the first sorority founded by African American women in 1908. Amber Hill, a 4th year apparel design student at Oregon State and Vice President of the Sigma Delta Chapter, wants to revive the once traditional fashion show. She hopes to bring students together not only to make their sorority known throughout campus, but to celebrate Black History Month as well.

“The name Black Effect was inspired by the Beyoncé album, and it resonates with the theme of our show and the track on the album definitely embodies what we want to try and display,”  Oregon State student and Sigma Delta Treasurer, Dominique Holman said.

Hill and Holman collaborated to put the fashion show together with the help of the sorority sisters from OSU and the UO, as well as local designers, and the students who will be walking the runway.

Apparel design major, Alexander Hill, will have a few of his pieces appear at the fashion show this upcoming Friday. Hill is a first-year student at Oregon State, whose style inspiration derives from bootleg high fashion in relation to streetwear.  

“This is my first fashion show, and I’m really excited to see how it all comes together,” Hill said.

He not only has his pieces featured at the fashion show, but he has sold a few items at the local used clothing store, Suite Zero.

Other designers will be featured, such as Alura Unger, Amber Hill, and the creator of the People Of Colour brand, Darius Northern.

Read more about “People of Colour” one of the brands featured in the show

The Black Effect fashion show will be held in the Memorial Union Ballroom on Friday Feb. 22 at 6:00 p.m. There will be a clothing drive that the Sorority has arranged for people to donate to the local second-hand chain St. Vincent DE. Paul. The event is $8 for students and $10 for community members. For students in Greek life or students bringing a donation, it is $5, and for community members with a donation it is $8.