SEMO students and organizations partnered to establish new ways of on-campus marketing, promotion, and community building by orchestrating a self-built fashion show.
On Saturday, March 22, SEMO’s Sigma Gamma Rho sorority partnered with campus influencer students Slept on Cam and Arianna Stay Woke to help market their on-the-rise clothing brands and promote campus outreach through work with NPHC Greek Life at the campus University Center.
Sigma Gamma Rho leaders Aja Richardson and Alaysia Belmo helped host and coordinate the fashion show while using their platforms and administrative positions to promote the event.
SEMO’s “Divine 9” Greek organizations coordinated and helped model various pieces throughout the show. The organizations that participated were Alpha Phi Alpha, Zeta Phi Beta, Sigma Gamma Rho, Omega Psi Phi, Kappa Alpha Psi, Alpha Kappa Alpha and Iota Phi Theta.
Participating students were able to choose their own outfits and display ensembles from various categories: business attire, Divine 9, Stay Woke and Slept On brand merchandise.
Owner of SleptOn Llc Cameron Duncan developed his brand around 2017. He has participated in multiple program events, community campaigns and business operations to help establish his brand and art creations across different platforms.
Duncan shed insight into what his trademark represents and how he wishes to affect his community.
“Slept On is dedicated to celebrating the overlooked, the forgotten, and the underestimated individuals brimming with untapped potential and hidden talents. We are on a mission to ignite greatness within ourselves and others, illuminating our unique stories to inspire the world, encouraging recognition and appreciation for the remarkable contributions of every individual,” Duncan said.
Duncan hopes to connect to more individuals along the way, working further towards possible collaborations with SEMO, expansion into more brand products and his developments for an on-campus organization that aligns with his brand goals and motivations.
Fellow show participant, junior health science major, and Zeta Phi Beta student Sanaa Lewis feels students were able to experience the collaborative efforts of off and on-campus works and find inspiration within the event for their own businesses and community operations.
“This was my first time doing something like this. I got to meet new people, get out of my comfort zone, and I can tell it has a big impact on campus. Events like this lets other people who have on campus businesses broadcast what they have going on and inspires them to explore what they can do with their brand,” Lewis said. “And doing stuff like this helps show the black students on campus how we can make it as a community and how we really work for their support.”
The fashion show exposed not only on-campus brands but also the behind-the-scenes work. Helping bring focus to these campus organization projects has demonstrated their inside efforts, capabilities, and fight for community.
Freshman graphic design major Kris Petty felt the fashion show gave a great opportunity for diverse students to come together and embrace the unique works put together.
“The fashion show was phenomenal, and I enjoyed seeing all the brands and people come together and really experience the black community on campus be a collective and move as one unit in support of one another,” Petty said.
SEMO’s next collaborative event is with Semo Blackout. The campus Stomp & Shake team will host a field day on April 12 in Parker Field from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. This event, in collaboration with Slept on Cam, will include games, music and food for all participants.
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