The University of Missouri Residential Life’s Healthy Communities Committee hosted the first “Pose with a Purpose” fashion show at the Virginia Avenue Amphitheater
on Thursday, April 16.
The show was put on not only to promote sustainability with uniquely styled secondhand clothes, but to raise awareness about the basic needs and resources available on Mizzou’s campus, like the Missouri Students Association and Care Team.
Three categories of clothing were modeled: Y2K, business casual and Tiger pride. Models had to thrift parts of their outfits or use clothes they already had, but they could not purchase anything firsthand for the show. This encouraged the models to create stylish new looks while promoting sustainable fashion.
Models included undergraduate students, graduate students and Residential Life staff. Residential Life Director Erin Morrison modeled a trendy business casual outfit.
In between the different themes, free food and drinks were provided for viewers, and the different services that tabled the event spoke on how their presence on campus benefits Mizzou students and the greater Columbia community. The event also featured a DJ and was emceed by Marcus George, the assistant director of residential operations.
Mizzou student Islynn Nyanyo was a participant in Pose with a Purpose. She modeled for the Y2K and business casual categories, and her business casual suit was $12 from Goodwill.
Nyanyo said she chose to model because she enjoys fashion and curating her style.
“I love to throw a fit every day,” Nyanyo said. “So I saw that it was trying to get more recognition for, like, sustainable thrifting or shopping. I was like, ‘Heck yeah, I’ll do that.’”
Nyanyo explained that the inspiration for her Y2K outfit came from social media. She wore jorts from a vintage pop-up store, shoes from a vintage shop in Chicago and a trendy sports jersey from resale store Plato’s Closet.
“I went on Pinterest, and I was like, ‘Y2K, do I want to do cute Y2K? Or, like, streetwear Y2K?’ and I picked streetwear,” Nyanyo said. “I was trying to go for, like, a 2Pac kind of vibe.”
Nyanyo wore her Y2K outfit throughout the day and said she preferred it to her business casual outfit. She also plans to model in Pose with a Purpose again next year and hopes to see the show expand its themes.
“I hope there’s more sections and different, I guess, like, themes next year,” Nyanyo said. “But yes I’ll definitely do it.”
