Intentionality, adaptability and motivation are at the heart of the team behind Swimming in Circles.
Queen’s Black Fashion Association (QBFA) is set to host their annual fashion show on Feb. 8 at Grant Hall. This year’s show, Swimming in Circles, is inspired by the Mac Miller album of the same name. Showcasing clothes sourced from local businesses, Black-owned designers and businesses, and with guest speakers and performers, the night is one the club has worked hard to prepare for.
The Journal spoke with Co-Presidents Binyat Akrem, ArtSci ’25, and Willo Thomas, ArtSci ’26, about the event, and what attendees can expect to see.
The pair expressed their excitement for the show and seeing months of hard work finally pay off.
“We’ve been building up to this for so, so long. Seeing everything come together—the designs, the models, the overall vision of the show […] I’m so proud of what everybody’s accomplished, but I’m also just so excited to share the experience with everybody that’s going to be attending,” Akrem said in an interview with The Journal.
“Being so close to actually seeing it come to life is always so satisfying, and just immensely gratifying as well,” Thomas added.
The show’s title and theme, Swimming in Circles, originated as an idea put forth by QBFA’s Creative Director, King-David Olajuwon, Nurs ’25. Built and expanded upon by the rest of the team, the theme encapsulates the process of self-discovery and personal growth, which aren’t always linear.
“It’s a process of growth and development that I think we often think about in a linear perspective, but really when you zoom out and look at the big picture, it’s almost like a continuous loop that we go through,” Thomas said.
Teamwork and trust in each other have been key in QBFA’s preparation for Saturday’s show. Each role contributes in different ways, with a shared motivation and vision enabling the team to adapt to bumps in the road. Communication among team is key in this process.
“It definitely takes so much teamwork. Our show would not be possible without the dedication of every single person on our team,” Akrem said. “We really struck gold this year with the people that we were able to put in those roles who really took it and ran with in the spirit of excellence,” Thomas added.
Though the annual QBFA fashion show takes place during February, Black History and Futures Month, it’s a celebration of community and creativity that exists on campus among Black students all year round.
“Our fashion show opens Black History Month every single year, and so we always try and have it fall onto that first week of February. But I think despite it being such a meaningful time to show our creativity, it’s more so just about the representation that we have, and the spaces that we create on campus where Black students feel valued, seen and empowered,”Akrem shared.
Akrem discussed the way QBFA helped foster community for her during her own time at Queen’s. Historically fashion has been an industry that has underrepresented and overlooked Black individuals, something QBFA helps to combat.
“The show is really a reminder of the Black artistry and culture that deserve to be at the forefront in February, and all year round,” Akrem said.
“Having spaces for Black students to just be Black students to do fun stuff, and express themselves, and be in a space where you can really just exist is so important,” Thomas added.
The co-presidents emphasized the importance of having spaces on campus for Black students to come together that aren’t strictly academic, allowing for creativity and joy to shine. This creative element is what makes QBFA stand out among other equity-deserving clubs on campus.
“QBFA has made such a big difference in so many people’s experiences here at Queen’s, along with all of the Black clubs here on campus. The community that these spaces have provided are irreplaceable,” Akrem shared.
Saturday’s show is one the co-presidents hope will leave a lasting impression on its attendees, with Akrem hoping that people can “walk away feeling like you’re a part of something meaningful.”
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