Howard University’s annual Student Fashion Show made a stunning return during the 2025 Homecoming celebration, captivating audiences with its mystic and thought-provoking theme “Nervana.” The event transformed the university’s Crampton Auditorium into a glowing arena of creativity and artistry. Featuring custom pieces designed by students and an exclusive Jordan Brand collection inspired by Howard’s football team, the show became one of the most talked-about highlights of the Homecoming week.
A Concept of Transcendence
The “Nervana” theme reimagined the Buddhist concept of nirvana — a transcendent state free from suffering, desire, and self. The show began with an ethereal narration echoing through the auditorium, asking, “Who has the nerve to escape Nervana?” As soft, haunting music filled the room, models appeared beneath dim lights, embodying the balance between serenity and rebellion.
Runway as Performance Art
Show chair Jaimon Washington, a senior majoring in interdisciplinary environmental studies, promised a spectacle that would leave the audience speechless — and he delivered. Thirty-two student models brought the concept to life through choreographed movements, theatrical poses, and symbolic gestures. Their performance blurred the line between fashion and art, transforming each look into a living expression of creativity.
The Three Acts of “Nervana”
Control
The first act opened with Nina Simone’s “I Put a Spell on You,” introducing a series of athletic yet elegant designs from the Jordan Brand × Howard collection. Models wore jerseys, hoodies, dresses, jackets, and shorts featuring the Howard Football insignia, paired with signature Jordan sneakers.
Hysteria
The second act began with a satirical “Nervana News” broadcast, where a mock anchor delivered surreal headlines about a perfect futuristic world before being dragged offstage in chaos. This scene transitioned into grunge-inspired looks — flannel layers, plaid fabrics, faux furs, skull motifs, angel prints, and accessories like toy racecar belts — reflecting the energy of rebellion and disorder.
Samsara
The final act, “Samsara,” represented the endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. Models appeared in military-inspired designs — camouflage prints, combat vests, utility belts, and fingerless gloves — walking with intensity and defiance. The atmosphere shifted from chaos to catharsis, capturing the eternal rhythm of transformation.
A Celebration of Creative Identity
For Washington, the show was more than fashion — it was a statement of identity and unity. “Being able to express yourself and your creativity is something that’s very important to the Howard community,” he said. “There are so many different creatives and cultures here at the Mecca, and this show gives us the chance to tell our story — through clothes, through movement, and through confidence.”
