NOiR Presents Decadence, Celebrating a Decade of NOiR

Local Fashion Show Highlights EMU students, other locals
By Marissa Staples

Everyone loves to enter a party fashionably late so they can make a grand entrance. With the focus of the night being the models of NOiR, the show was sensationally 40-minutes late, but stunning.

Brittany Kozerski, president of NOiR, brought in there 10th year of the NOiR Fashion Show with culture, glamour, and a feature fearless ending of recyclable wear. Dresses were made out of old shower curtains, Meijer and Kroger grocery bags. Supporting the environment, proceeds were donated to the Nature Conservatory. The Conservatory will use the proceeds to purchase and protect close to 100 acre of Michigan land.

Even though the show was held at the U-M Union, EMU was definitely in the building. Former emYOU! The Magazine student spotlight Katrell Duncan strutted a fierce walk wearing Golden Hanger Design Clothing Line by Henry Spencer.

“This is my second year doing the NOiR show and I love it. The designs are great,” said Duncan.

Emanuel Upshaw, senior EMU student, was unquestionably the crowd-pleaser. He commanded the runway as soon as he took his first step out. The applause, screams and shrieks did not cease until he stepped off. NOiR was Upshaw's most prominant show thus far during his modeling career, but he's gained notariety from participation in EMU Fashion Week, Bowling Green Fashion Battle, and the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Delta Beta Chapter Fashion Show 2009.

“This is a career for me," said Upshaw. "Come October, I’m moving to New York to pursue my modeling and acting.” The Business Management major will be graduating in April.

The 11-scene performance featured the titles of Le NOiR et Blanc (avec vert), The Glamorous, The Rebel, The Cultured, The Honey, The Hustler, The Provocateur, The Sophisticated, The Retro, The Socialite, and The Fearless.

“The Glamorous” featured mid-length flow dresses and blouses with raised feather shoulders complimented with high-waist skirts. The men wore three piece suits with the tie outside the vest. I liked it but some may think it’s too pompous.

“The Rebel” gave ladies a chance to utilize those holey stockings, turning them into a fashion feature instead of a fashion faux pas, under a skirt. They may help you save money during this recession, but they are not too tasteful.

“The Hustler” was an all male scene that featured looks similar to Jim Jones and Juelez Santana with a little Diddy swag.

“The Provocateur” paid homage to the “Bedroom Goddess” letting every man in the crowd play out their own fantasies in their head. Women wore pearls, letting them be the only cover for their breast along with lace panties. The bare-chested fellas wore only boxers and socks to let the ladies minds wonder. One tip for the guys though: wrinkled boxers in the bedroom are not sexy!

“The Retro” highlighted the look of mixing patterns. Having a box circle pattern top with a box print skirt actually does work as long as the colors match. But the 'flower print' still hasn’t made a comeback yet. Although the hippie, tie-dye dress with colored stocking may work… depending on what club you are going to.

“The Socialite” established that the hooker dress is out and the party dress, Kimora-Lee-Simmons-style is in! Ladies, leaving the men with a silhouette of what they could have is perfect. Showing too much will only get a dance at the club, not an offer for dinner later.

NOiR did a great job celebrating their 10th fashion show. By the end of the show everyone left stimulated with a sense of fashion and how to truly own what they wear!