From the Front Row to the Judge’s Table: What Judging a Fashion Show Taught Me About Black Style, Power & Presence

When I sat down at the judge’s table, I didn’t just see looks; I saw stories. I am often on the front row at fashion shows, but I had never been asked to judge one. That was a different ball game. Honestly, I had to sit with the question and really think about whether this was something I really wanted to do. I think sometimes we get imposter syndrome or feel like we’re not good enough. And for me, that’s exactly what I felt when the Middle Tennessee State University TXMD department asked me to be a judge. Looking at the other judges, I found myself wondering: “Do I really measure up? Am I good enough?”

And I am.

So last Friday and Saturday, I spent my afternoon with MTSU’s students judging their fashion show. But I took their ask very seriously. See, the very year before, these were my students. It meant that they trusted my expertise, but most importantly, they trusted me.

I was the only Black woman judge, which means the pressure was on.

The fashion show, titled “Melting Point,” really highlighted climate change — or the lack thereof in the industry. Fashion is one of those industries still grappling with how to teach sustainability in classrooms and really sustain it in designs. But Gen Z knows they want to be sustainable, and they know they can get there.

The show broke it down into three scenes:

• Deforestation

• Climate Change

• (The third scene was a surprise, but you get the idea!)

As a judge, I got to vote on my favorite looks, and ironically, two out of the three looks I voted for won. We went backstage and judged the looks with no indication of the designer; there was no prior information given. The winners took home Best Design, and two out of the three of them were Black girls. And I know it may not seem like a big deal, but it is.

For many Black students, studying fashion is a privilege. Oftentimes, young Black students are pushed into careers like education or nursing. They’re told to get a good government job and not to follow their passion, because that’s a luxury many of us just can’t afford. So to see them not only in the show but to win speaks volumes.

Judging the fashion show was spiritual for me. It reminded me of my why. I’m in this industry to push and support creatives who look just like me. Style is power, and Black women have always had it.

What most people didn’t see on that runway was the emotional weight of presence — of being the only Black woman at the judge’s table. It wasn’t just about scoring a look or evaluating construction. It was about protecting the vision, making sure our stories were seen, felt, and valued. It was about standing in the gap for designers who looked like me, and for the ones who might never get that same shot. That kind of responsibility doesn’t come with a scorecard — it comes with lived experience. And it’s also the invisible labor that Black women often carry in these spaces: making sure our perspectives aren’t erased, our creativity isn’t watered down, and our voices aren’t the ones left unheard. That’s the work that doesn’t get acknowledged, but it’s the work that shapes the culture.

I was the only Black woman

judge; holding space.

Call to Action:

So here’s the deal — local fashion shows like this one are so much more than just runway presentations. They are opportunities to show up, support, and honor creatives who deserve to be seen. Whether you’re an industry vet or just getting started, your presence and voice matter. Let’s continue to support the visionaries and innovators who are pushing the boundaries of what fashion can be.

Shout out to the designers and MTSU for trusting me with this space. I’m here for it, and I hope you are too.

What do YOU think makes a fashion show powerful?

Leave a comment below, or drop me a DM. I’d love to hear your thoughts on what makes fashion more than just a pretty look.