"Beyond the Fabric" Fashion Show Features Local Black Designers

Photos by Dakota Nicholson '26

The fashion show featured the work of MelissaSade's Designs and Jackie Harris.

"The purpose of the event was to open Point Park and our members to the fashion world within Pittsburgh," said BSU president Kayla Brown.

"There is a large community of Black and Brown fashion designers in the city who have stories to tell through their art and clothing," Brown continued.

MelissaSade's Designs makes abstract formal attire.

"I always enjoy working with the Black Student Union at Point Park," said Melissa Charles of MelissaSade's Designs.

"A highlight of the event was the third round of the show, where both designers collaborated and mixed their pieces together," said Brown.

The BSU plans frequent campus events, which can be found on The Herd and Instagram.

Beyond the Fabric Fashion Show — 14 images

View All

Beyond the Fabric Fashion Show — 14 images Photos by Dakota Nicholson '26

A woman walks down the catwalk wearing an iridescent animal-print gown.

The fashion show featured the work of MelissaSade's Designs and Jackie Harris.

A man walks on the catwalk wearing a snakeskin-print vest and pants.

"The purpose of the event was to open Point Park and our members to the fashion world within Pittsburgh," said BSU president Kayla Brown.

A woman displays the back of a jean jacket that reads "Love."

"There is a large community of Black and Brown fashion designers in the city who have stories to tell through their art and clothing," Brown continued.

A woman walks on the catwalk wearing a long black dress.

MelissaSade's Designs makes abstract formal attire.

A camera captures a woman on the catwalk wearing a button-down shirt with a graphic on the back.

"I always enjoy working with the Black Student Union at Point Park," said Melissa Charles of MelissaSade's Designs.

A line of students stand on the stage displaying the fashion.

"A highlight of the event was the third round of the show, where both designers collaborated and mixed their pieces together," said Brown.

A line of students parade down the catwalk.

The BSU plans frequent campus events, which can be found on The Herd and Instagram.

A woman walks down the catwalk in a tan outfit.

A student photographs a woman on her phone.

A man walks on the catwalk as he pulls on a red button-down shirt.

Audience members hold up their phones to photograph the person on the catwalk.

A woman walks on the catwalk wearing a red dress.

A woman on the catwalk wears a colorful long dress.

On March 7, Point Park University's Black Student Union (BSU) held a fashion show featuring local Black designers MelissaSade's Designs and Jackie Harris.

BSU President Kayla Brown, a senior forensic psychology major, has planned the event twice.

"There is a large community of Black and Brown fashion designers in the city who have stories to tell through their art and clothing," Brown said. "The Black Student Union wanted to highlight this niche community while also building connections for future events and opportunities to collaborate more closely with creatives in the Pittsburgh community."

"When Kayla reached out informing me that there was going to be another fashion show, I was filled with joy," said Melissa Charles, of MelissaSade's Designs.

Her designs, which she describes as "abstract formal attire," had been featured at the previous show in February 2024.

"A highlight of the event was the third round of the show, where both designers collaborated and mixed their pieces together," Brown said. "This created a unique segment where their individual styles blended, giving the audience the chance to see how the designs could interact and complement one another."

Follow BSU events on The Herd and Instagram.

See more of MelissaSade's Designs on Facebook and Instagram.

"Beyond the Fabric" Fashion Show Features Local Black Designers Thursday, April 2, 2026