During my first semester at Barnard, I founded Black Style at Barnard (BSB) in response to a lack of Black representation in the fashion societies on campus. BSB began as a digital archive of the styles and outfits of Black Barnard and Columbia. I aimed to not only highlight individual looks, but to create a culture around Black Style—curating collections and editing videos showcasing Black outfits for campus milestones such as the First Day of Classes, Valentine’s Day, and “Blacchanal”—dubbed from Columbia University’s annual spring concert–Bacchanal.
What started as a digital archive on Instagram transformed into a style collective, and I have been able to collaborate with Black creatives across Barnard and Columbia to create meaningful projects uplifting the styles of our Black peers.
The following are a series of BSB projects throughout the years. BSB is excited to resume project production and student collaboration in Spring 2025.
MAE x BSB
April 2024
In collaboration with Columbia-student artist collective Morningside Art Exchange and Black student models/production assistants, BSB produced a photoshoot and premier screenprinted collection.
Style Interview
March 2024
BSB conducted its first “style interview” and personality shoot with CC ’24 Kiahra Read.
B.O.S.S. x BSB
February 2024
The concept of a B.O.S.S. Babe is one that is multi-dimensional, encompassing any and every which way Black students on this campus are unapologetically Black and fly as hell. B.O.S.S. Babe models to wore their baby tee in a way that reflected their personal style. This photoshoot was accompanied by a BSB Relaunch meeting in the Zora Neale Hurston Lounge on February 6th, 2024.
Black Style Mirror Installation
March 2023
BSB installed a mirror in the first floor of Diana—one of the College’s most trafficked buildings. Black students documented their outfits, and sent pictures to the BSB Instagram.
Tomisin Fasosin 