If you found yourself center stage in Houston Gym last Saturday night, you would be forgiven for thinking you had walked into heaven itself.

But the blue-lit, ephemeral apparitions were none other than the creations of Runway: Amplify, the annual production of Buffalo State’s Fashion and Textile Technology (FTT) program.

In a historic move, this year’s RUNWAY fashion show was merged with the Buffalo State Foundation’s annual scholarship fundraising gala. The theme, Amplify, was aptly chosen to highlight the fundraising and advocacy aspects of the show.

“Bengala + RUNWAY, presented by New Era Cap Foundation, will amplify creativity, community, and opportunity in a powerful celebration that benefits student scholarships across all disciplines,” reads their website. “From planting trees to supporting youth empowerment, from food access to LGBTQ+ rights—each designer selects a mission and amplifies it through fashion.”

The combination made for a glamorous evening where attendees could first traverse through the Bengal Bodega, an array of pop-up shops from student and alumni entrepreneurs who sold everything from bedazzled thrifts, to crocheted hats, and even homemade candles. The BuffaLoveBus photo booth also made an appearance with a cloudy blue sky backdrop and a security camera style photo shoot.

Check out some interviews Michael Mitri of BuffaLoveBus and Bengal Bodega entrepreneurs here on The Record’s official YouTube channel.

The staging area, pre-show, was a relaxed, purple-lit, hangout spot that grew to a climactic buzz before showtime as designers and models alike hurriedly perfected outfits and ensembles.

Brooke, a member of the “glam squad” in charge of hair and makeup, described what she’d seen of the looks backstage: “There is not a single collection that has the same vibe to it. Every single collection has their own spunk, their own uniqueness. I was blown away.”

RUNWAY: Amplify started off with a hype-up from digital content creator Evan Chisholm and an introduction from student directors Jada Ivey and Trayvel Patterson.

“Tonight marks a powerful first: uniting philanthropy and student creativity in one shared event,” Ivey said.

Once again the music commenced blaring and thus began The Edit, a collection of one piece designs from Zeruiah Shadwick, Tristan Hume, Amaya Blatner, Alexander Imperi, Devrich Sanders, Julia Erbacher, Daniela Bolende, and Jaliyah Simmons.

Models competed for attention as a handful took the stage with clever outfits and smoldering looks. This category is meant to give emerging designers, often FTT underclassmen, the opportunity to present a look at RUNWAY. There was no shortage of distinct, eye-catching looks in The Edit.

But it was quickly onto the next, with student collections from Sadie Pratt-Filker and Kaylee Starkweather. Pratt-Filker dressed four models in baggy streetwear with a theme of muted gray stripes throughout. Starkweather, in contrast, dressed her quartet of models in an array of shapely, off-white dresses with sparkles and handmade jewelry.

Now it was the senior designers’ time to shine. Artis Wilkins’ collection started not with a bang but with a megaphone, as the central figure played auctioneer while four brightly-colored — paint-

splattered?! — models walked onstage to PinkPantheress and Zara Larsson’s now famous “Stateside.” The collection was meant to embody art itself. As the models walked off, the speaker reiterated the collection’s name, “She’s not an artist, she is what art is. Don’t forget it!”

Wilkins’ partnered with The Summit Center, a local behavioral health and autism services provider.
“Her work highlights the importance of accessible services and community understanding—using design to tell a story that deserves to be seen, felt, and supported,” per RUNWAY’s instagram.

Zeinab Keita presented a collection called “Ligne 223” that drew on West African weaving techniques and designs and featured her two male models shirtless and dancing onto the stage in flowing pants. Other models wore mixed fabrics and headwraps, and Keita herself came onstage in a red leather jacket to heavy applause from the crowd.

Partnering with Dumas RISE Providers, her collection highlights the organization’s commitment to empowering Black mental health professionals.

Brooklyn Fitzgerald presented next with a look inspired by Black dandyism that focused on pattern mixing and shifting textures. Models were clad in browns and faux denims with gold accents and ties stitched into each outfit.

Fitzgerald partnered with the African American Cultural Center.

“For my first runway collection I want to present who I am, and my culture is a big part of that,” Fitzgerald explained in her pre-taped, pre-show interview for “Dandy & Divine.”

Matthew Villalobos presented “Identidad” models appeared in looks influenced by Mexican and Mexican-American culture and catholicism. Models walked in long skirts with red and floral accents and crosses.

Villalobos, who appeared onstage in a simple black t-shirt to greet the crowd, partnered with Journey’s End Refugee Services.

Jaylene Perez was inspired by her Dominican and Puerto Rican heritage to create “Aqui Estamos” which featured bold colors against muted browns, with traditional headdresses and makeup. The presentation also included four dancers in traditional white dresses and Perez walking onstage to drums and maracas.

Perez partnered with the Volunteer Lawyers Project.

“I have dealt with immigration and I.C.E. personally, through my family. I am the child of an immigrant so I really wanted to work with an organization that provides legal aid to families facing

immigration issues,” Perez said in her pre-show interview.

Miya Giddens presented “Sol-Luna” in partnership with Habitat for Humanity, and designed her models as birds to represent nesting and finding a home. Her models appeared in first in tufted, feathery browns, then in rich peacock blues with accompanying feathers, as a tufted white swan, and lastly as a fiery red phoenix. Giddens herself appeared in a flowing, black ensemble.

Jenovique Kissenga, in “Essence 243,” curated looks filled with bright, bold colors, a few animal prints, and solid black bases, or even canes, that gave her collection an air of regality. A live saxophonist in all black provided the musical backdrop to the presentation. Kissenga appeared onstage to applause in a light brown pantsuit.

Kissenga partnered with HEAL International, a refugee-run non-profit that helps refugees and immigrants adapt to their new lives and homes. Her collection “is a celebration of empowered femininity, inspired by rich, visual language and the cultural philosophy of Congolese dandyism.”

A half-time show of sorts was put on by Legacy Dance, where more than a dozen white-clad dancers stole the show for a high-energy mash-up.

Jalee Martinez presented her collection “Battle of Life” next, with models appearing from the crowd in camouflage, uniform-style pieces with dog tags, garrison army caps, and red accents. Red and green tartan prints and bold red make-up further solidified Martinez’s style.

“In my garments, I’m using camo and tartan to amplify the quiet wars we do have within ourselves,” Martinez said, in speaking of her partnership with local mental well-being organization, Compeer.

Erin Luna’s “Embody” collection featured striped red skirts with red and white sweetheart neckline tops for the women, and black striped pants with black, uniquely collared shirts and more red accents. Luna appeared simply in a loose white top to greet a roar of applause from the audience.

She partnered with The Rachel Warrior Foundation, which helps domestic violence survivors.

Alexis Ward designed Haus of Le Luxe with a red maxi-dresses, gold handprint bodices and headdresses, and a sparkling gold dress with flowing sleeves and a Statue of Liberty-esque crown. The final looks were black and silver with a feather crown and a wide, tufted gown. Ward appeared in a matching red outfit for her 70s inspired collection which was all about “building confidence.”

She partnered with UPward Design for Life, which furnishes homes for families emerging from homelessness.

Jafracy Rodriguez created “Armadura de los Muertos” which featured black and denim streetwear styles with traditional Mexican influences. Rodriguez followed her models in a large white jacket with the Virgin Mary on it and held a Mexican flag to the crowd. She partnered with Voice Buffalo, a non-profit which champions racial justice and equity.

Sui Par’s collection “Threads of Hope” displayed core colors of white, red, and green with floral and beaded gold accents. Par waved to the crowd in a short black dress and sweater.

Par’s collection was inspired by Stitch Buffalo, which “empowers immigrant and refugee women through textile art and economic opportunities.”

David Wiggans presented the penultimate collection “Revolution,” an ensemble inspired by the “four pillars: strength, independence, individuality and passion.” Silhouettes appeared on screen first and gave way to models in black and red leathers, dark sunglasses and white shirts, before a bride-like figure in white ran on stage. Wiggans himself stayed on theme and appeared in a white button up and brown leather jacket.

Wiggans partnered with Homespace, which provides services to adolescents impacted by the foster care system.

A model for Wiggans, LeGrand, is in fact the face on all those Amplify posters you’ve probably seen all around campus and online. The Record secured a behind the scenes interview with him, watch here!

Grace Villanueva presented the final collection, “Sombra del Agua,” or “shadow of the water.” Her models wore looks mimicking trash bags, one with a hoop gown mold, another with a black, bat-shaped bodice. Her pieces experimented with volume and echoed the efforts of her non-profit partner, Buffalo Niagara Waterkeepers.

Villanueva walked on in similar, plastic-y garments, and had a trailing assistant splash water on her outfit at center stage. Villanueva replied by removing a plastic skirt to reveal a second underneath.

While Bengala solicited scholarships for students across the University’s academic programming, RUNWAY presented at total of $7,000 in scholarships to a number of student designers last Saturday night.

Best in Show went to Fitzgerald’s “Dandy & Divine,” and included a $1,500 prize sponsored by Renata Toney and a brand campaign from Legacy House Studio.

First place amongst senior designers, with a $1,000 prize, went to Artis Wilkins with her collection “I’m not an artist; I am what art is.” The $750 second place prize was awarded to Jenovique Kissenga and “Essence 243.” While third place and $500 went to Erin Luna and her “Embody” collection.

A number of other awards went out for production design and excellence in tailoring, as well as prizes for The Edit and Student Collection.

Amplify proved to be a jam-packed night full of energy, creativity, and advocacy. From the skilled student designers, to the alumni entrepreneurs, guest judges, and sponsors, it left one with a strong impression of just how much is borne from the Fashion and Textile Technology program, and the Buffalo community as a whole.