Clothing innovations, hip-hop beats and a message of inclusion converged Friday night during ASTRAL, a student-run music and fashion show that returned for its second year at the College of William and Mary.
The college’s fashion-themed Rocket Magazine and the Students of Hip-Hop Legacy organization teamed up to produce the event, which reimagined a section of the school’s Integrated Science Center into a runway and stage.
“This is definitely the coolest event William and Mary puts on,” said student Claire Seaton. “The space has been put to great use.”
The show’s ticket sales raised money for the Williamsburg Contemporary Art Center’s high school art scholarships. The event highlighted designers and musicians from across Virginia and emphasized the value of diverse voices within the arts community.
“We’re trying to get out the message of inclusion and make art for everyone,” said Annabel Bentley, one of the event organizers. “I think it’s really building up the arts in our school.”
Seaton praised the show’s focus on serving as a platform for artists whose perspectives are often overlooked, such as members of the LGBTQ community.
Another student, Ola Pozor, also praised the uplifting nature of the show.
“There’s no one definition of beauty. Everyone has that potential,” she said. “The creativity of this organization is really inspiring.”
The event saw students and other visitors lining the runway and looking on from the building’s second floor.
Paris Ball also checked out the event, excited to see a showcase of what William and Mary students can envision.
“You’re seeing people from all these different backgrounds and different social groups. There’s such an eclectic mix of people here,” he said.
Ball said he sees the show as an opportunity for unity in the midst of a divisive time.
“It’s a lot of fun,” he said. “There’s not really anything else like this here.”
