Paradox, Barbershop’s annual fashion show, returned to Roger Williams University with a night full of style and culture. The event featured 41 student models showcasing an array of unique looks that celebrated diversity, creativity, and collaboration.
Each round of the show paired contrasting looks, from futuristic to vintage, urban to rural, minimalistic and maximalist and many more. These rounds created visual juxtapositions that kept the audience engaged and applauding . To break up the rounds, dance groups such as Exposure and Okaze took to the floor and showed everyone amazing performances. After the intermission there was time for audience participation during a dance off, where an audience member was able to win a cash prize if they were voted as the best dancer.
The show represented around 13 different cultures, highlighting the wide range of identities and backgrounds within the RWU community. Many students’ favorite part of the night was the cultural round, where participants proudly wore traditional clothing and carried their country’s flags. Model Antonio Gonzalez described the experience as “ecstatic,” adding, “So much time and effort was put into this event by everyone behind the scenes. For us to go out there and give it our all and represent our cultures on our side, it was really amazing”.
This event was made possible by HALSA (Hispanic and Latinx Student Association) , AAA (Asian American Alliance) , GH (Global Hawks) , MSU (Multicultural Student Union) , BSA (Black Student Alliance) and WOCC (Women of Color Club). “It’s a big collaboration between the affinity groups on campus,” said model Natasha Alvarez.
Sergio Mallo, another model in the show, shared about the time and effort that went into the night: “We’ve been rehearsing endlessly for the past month or so. It’s been a lot of work, and we were excited to finally show it.”
The Paradox fashion show is about more than just style, it’s about unity, pride, and self-expression. Through fashion, students celebrated their identities and cultures, showing the connection between creativity and community at RWU.
