Students came out in droves to T.H. Harris Auditorium Wednesday to see what Black Dynasty Modeling Troupe would conjure up for their big spring show.
Inspired by the music and style of Kanye West, the opening number was titled, “All White with Black.”
The easily recognizable intro to West’s hit “Runaway” played as model Tiara Thomas, recent winner of the coveted Miss Cover girl title, emerged wearing a striking red leotard and tutu to match. Other female models were dressed in black and white ballerina garb as they twirled about the stage.
Black Dynasty engaged the audience as models posed and pirouetted their way down the aisles of the auditorium heading to the stage.
Wearing black, cropped slim-fit chinos with a leather strip from H&M’s Purple Label collection, Mister Black Dynasty Rah-kim Cherry assumed the role of maestro giving the audience the illusion that he was tickling the ivories and Bridget Moore, Miss Black Dynasty, stood atop the piano asserting “Model Supremacy”– the show’s moniker.
Black Dynasty performed six scenes showcasing style, sex appeal and signature posing. The scenes included “A Royal Affair” complete with vibrantly colored party dresses for the ladies and simple evening apparel for the gentlemen along with Mardi Gras style masks’.
DJ AP kept the crowd hype. ‘Just R3cess’ put on a dance spectacular to sustain the audience’s attention while set and wardrobe changes took place.
Choreographed to an exclusive mix of music from the 90s with a new-age twist, ‘Just R3cess’ performance was quite entertaining. Grooving to Chris Brown’s latest single, “Fine China” Brent Douglas pop-locked and wowed the audience with his moves.
Precision, an all female step team within Black Dynasty stepped in style. The stylish steppers pounded the stage with poise and accuracy.
Black Dynasty vice president Raven LeDay, a senior marketing major from Dallas said, “Precision represents the other side of sexiness-strength.” When asked which international fashion platforms influence Black Dynasty the most, LeDay mentioned Paris, Tokyo, and cultural aspects from Africa.
“It takes hard work to keep the tradition alive,” said LeDay about being in the oldest modeling troupe on campus.
Known for its radical methods, Black Dynasty did not disappoint during the “Playboy Mansion” scene. The men of Black Dynasty sauntered down the aisles and onto the stage baring biceps, triceps and abs. One brave model, Rah-kim Cherry, a senior from Chicago studying nursing, wore nothing more than European style briefs.
With cheers from the ladies and jeers from the fellas, one thing is for sure: He was modeling confidence. Coincidently, when asked what being Mr. Black Dynasty means to him Rah-kim had this to say, “It means you have to be most confident in all that you do-on an off the runway.”
While Rihanna’s “Pour it up” filled the auditorium, models displayed threads by Royal Bones of Monroe.
In an effort to give back to the students, Black Dynasty president, Dutchess Martin, a Lafayette native and senior history major, suggested raffling a set of Beats by Dre headphones. Kevin Kiese, a senior mass comunication major from Houston won.
“I alway wanted to hear how music sounds from a pair of beats, now I can,” said Keise.
The highlights of the show included the creativity of the all female revue, “The Perfect Model,” “Playboy Mansion,” and the excitement of Kappa Kappa Psi strutting on stage. Black Dynasty’s “Model Supremacy” delivered.