UNCG Students Come Together for a Good Cause!

Countless of students from the University of North Carolina of Greensboro (UNCG) attended the Threads Fashion Show on June 9, 2017, which was organized by students of the Threads Organization who are majoring in Consumer, Apparel and Retail Studies (CARS). There were approximately eight student designers and each showcased a collection of five designs – each designer’s collection told a different story and expressed individuality and a unique sense of style. One fashion designer, in particular, chose to address the issues of the Charlotte riots from this past year. For example, she designed an all-black collection where her models wore hooded dresses accessorized by a piece of duct tape transcribed with the names of fallen African-American victims, such as Sandra Bland, Mike Brown, and Tamir Rice.

In the months leading up to the fashion show, UNCG students started a protest on campus called, “I Matter Mondays.” Each Monday, students took a stand for what they believed to be unjust actions on behalf of law enforcement by dressing in all black. With tape covering their mouth, each student who participated in the protest vowed to take an oath of silence; students also gathered together to have prayer circles, movie night, spoken word/poetry events – all of which aided in bringing together people of all ethnic backgrounds.

“It was amazing to see such a powerful statement of comradery put in such an artistic form – this is what art and fashion are about,” says Rachel Reed a student of UNCG who participated in “ I Matter Mondays.” While students at UNCG hoped to have made an impact during these events, most are unsure as to whether or not this tradition will continue. However, it’s safe to say that students would rather see a change in regards to justice being served, then to have to continue these silent protests. “We just want to see justice being served for all those who commit a crime, even law enforcement agencies,” says Reed.”