At Mercer, there is a student organization known as MU Runway: a fashion club composed of undergraduate students who live by the motto “Walk with confidence.” This club was initially started in 2023 but was officially established in 2024.
MU Runway started to establish its presence on campus with “What Are You Wearing Wednesdays,” which showcases students’ outfits of the day on social media. However, in addition to their digital spotlight, they also put effort towards throwing a fashion show on campus.
MU Runway's events coordinator Bartum Kulah Jr. ‘26 expressed confidence that the club would continually evolve to include annual shows in which students could participate, express themselves and push narratives for social change.
As Kulah noted, fashion was always on the agenda. As a new club at Mercer, they were eager to present themselves to the world, but the question remained: how could they achieve that?
“We wanted to do something different that Mercer hasn't seen before, and that really motivated us to organize a fashion show. There hasn't been a fashion show on Mercer’s campus yet, and we wanted to bring something unique,” said social media director Cordalia Peters ‘25.
This year, MU Runway hosted a fashion show in Penfield Hall on Feb. 1, to showcase the creativity and passion of Mercer University students. The theme was “Threads of Revolution,” focused on four key topics that conveyed the underlying message of “Wear The Movement.” Aiming to tell the story of various movements through fabric and resistance, addressing social change related to colonialism, capitalism, climate change and human rights.
On their Instagram, the team described "Threads of Revolution" as, “A movement woven with the fabric of resistance, where every stitch tells a story of defiance against colonial legacies, reimagines the threads of capitalism, champions the planet’s survival, and envisions a future where human rights are the default. This is a tapestry of bold youth voices, where fashion is not just worn, but wielded as revolution.”
The board and members used these themes to tell a story. According to Peters, the fashion show was a way to inform people about what was happening not only in the United States but all over the world.
“To say that fashion can be a statement is important. It’s not just about looking good. Often, fashion has history and holds cultural significance. Many people express themselves through fashion, reflecting their values and passions. It’s a complex topic, but fashion allows us to communicate what we want and what we value,” Peters said.
Though the team had a lot of success, struggles did present themselves as they had to figure out how to create this experience through a limited budget and clothing supply. To overcome these challenges, the team reached out to local community vendors to help support the show and portray the story. They went to local thrift stores in Macon like Wear and Elizabeth's Vintage who sponsored them for free to source pieces for the show. With the help of these stores and models using their own pieces, the show was feasible.
“Last year was more streetwear, very trendy. This year we are trying to convey certain messages and we just hope that through all the hard work we put into the outfits, that the board gets it. We understand it but we hope that the audience will understand and get it. We hope the message is reached by the target audience, and that people understand that fashion is a statement.
The show aimed to transcend political views and delve into the nature of society.
Obed Eke '27 reached into his jacket to reveal a newspaper from the Wall Street Journal that read, “climate change is real.” He began sprinting down the aisle screaming “It’s real! Climate change is real!” Suddenly, the chorus of Kendrick Lamar’s song, “Real,” began.
During the show, each theme was introduced with a short video that defined the category and projected impactful imagery for the audience to absorb.
First up was colonialism, which featured models wearing shirts that said "Made in Congo," wrapped in chains to symbolize the lasting effects of colonialism. Models were also dressed in traditional attire from various countries, representing the diversity of cultures that exist in colonized countries.
During the capitalism portion of the show, the iconic song "Money, Money, Money" by ABBA played as the models walked down the runway. These models were dressed in high-end, old-money clothing that represented wealthy status. One model wore a white dress adorned with red dollar signs, and on the back of the gown, was the phrase "Eat the rich." This phrase, attributed to Jean-Jacques Rousseau, was directed at the wealthy elite during the French Revolution.
As the model walked, she was given a cake with the words “let them eat cake.” The phrase, often incorrectly attributed to Marie-Antoinette, was actually coined by Rousseau in Book VI of his "Confesssions."This moment aimed to draw attention to the inequity of wealth disparity during that time and now.
As the night progressed, the story of the revolution took the stage. Kulah, Peters and all those involved wanted to leave their audience with a deeper understanding of social change.
“We’re all people, we all face challenges,” they emphasized. “This show is meant to inform and inspire individuals to step beyond their personal experiences and recognize how societal issues impact us all," Kulah said.
The show closed playing, "American Oxygen" by Rihanna—a song that takes listeners on a powerful journey through the triumphs and struggles of the American Dream, weaving together themes of aspiration, resilience and identity.
Alisha Mitchell '26 is majoring in Journalism and Political Science at Mercer University. She is a part of the Student Government Association and works for Mercer’s Undergraduate Admissions office. Alisha is highly involved on campus and loves writing for The Cluster. When she isn't writing or working, she enjoys sitting outside in nature or thrifting with friends.
