Show presents styles for any occasion

The Black Student Union kicked off Little 500 week with one of the biggest fashion events of the season. The 3rd annual Little 500 Fashion Extravangaza held Thursday at the Buskirk-Chumley Theatre was the place to be. \nA diverse crowd packed the house. Popular hip-hop songs greeted the audience before the show's beginning. The show included an MC Battle and a performance by IU Essence, an all-female dance group, during the intermission. \nThe show started off with an intro scene that included an around the world theme. The models came out in Middle Eastern-inspired dress. Designers used ornately decorated scarves as bikini tops paired with jeans, with gold jeweled scarves draped over them. Some of the models wore flowing patterned baby doll shirts paired with jeans. The segment's surprise came when women in ethnic-style dresses came down the aisle with tambourines. \nAfter the Middle Eastern-style outfits, the show featured Asian-inspired clothing. The women carried black decorated fans and wore clothes in red and black. The show featured a short black kimono-style dress bordered in red satin, black satin pants paired with low cut wrap around and wide sleeve Chinese patterned shirts.\nAfrican-style dress was also a part of the show. Models wore short strapless beige dresses, while others wore long sleeved tarzan shirts with slashes in the arm paired with blue jeans. \nThe next scene was the nine-to-five scene. The models sported clothing worn to an office or business meeting. The women wore stylish white hats as the main accessory. Light colored slacks were used in most of the scene, paired with multi-colored draped shirts. Models also wore wore light colored or gray striped short jacket suits. The outfits were usually worn with open-toed sandals or with white leather boots. \nAn all-leather scene followed. The models wore leather and suede outfits donated by Wilson's clothing store. The scene presented a stylish outlook on leather fashion. This segment featured a brown, burgundy and carmel beige pant outfit, and suede halter tops were paired with denim mini-skirts. One of the models wore a tan suede mid-length coat trimmed with fur on top of a suede suit. Others wore suede suits in dark brown and carmel paired with suede floppy hats in matching colors. The next set of models came out as dominatrixes fully equipped with whips. Some wore black leather chaps over bright red shorts, while others wore leather mini skirts with halter tops or leather daisy duke shorts with fishnet stockings and halter tops. The male models wore red and white racing jackets in leather over white tees paired with jeans. \nThe intermission did not stop the show. IU Essence performed during the first half of the intermission. The second half of the show featured a short fashion show presented by Name Above Every Name, commonly known as NAEN, a local team of designers who decided to include their urban wear collection in the event. \nJermaine Ball, vice president of the company, was very excited about the debut. \n"I feel we have a comfortable and casual look," he said. "I feel like it will be accepted anywhere." \nThe collection was urban wear, but it had a creative twist. The female models wore men's shirts, which were tied and cut in a way to express a feminine street look. The shirts were worn long on one side and short on the other with slashes in the sleeves. One shirt was worn as a dress that was cut out and gathered in the back, with slashes in the sleeves. The male models wore jumpsuits in red, blue, and gray. One jumpsuit was made out of terry cloth. The accessories included hats and headbands. \nAfter the intermission, the show resumed with a lingerie scene, which included long satin gowns and sheer lace long-sleeved fitted dresses over matching white and black underwear sets. Some models wore cheetah print boxers, and teddies with lace trim. The men wore red satin robes paired with black fitted boxers, while others wore ocean blue drawstring pants with white tank tops. \nThe next scene was a formal scene. The men wore tuxedoes and the girls wore dresses. The dresses came in every color and style from neon green to beautiful hues of blue. Models wore silver and blue beaded corset top gowns as well as neon green fitted gowns showcasing the stomach and the back.\nThe next scene was the summer scene. It included white capris worn with colorful light-weight flowing tops. This part also featured a tropical print dress. The male models wore red and hawaiian print short outfits. The outfits were worn with open toe sandals and flip flops. \nThe last scene was an all white scene. Simple and laid back, the models wore white shirts, white bikini tops or tank tops and white bottoms.\nThe audience seemed impressed by the show's featured styles.\nFreshman Terrikay Smith commented that the music went well with the clothes.\nAt two and a half hours, the show might have been a little excessive. However, the show was well-coordinated and featured an impressive array of clothes and designers.\n"I think all the work paid off," said senior Kevin Mason, who organized the event for BSU.