Beauty in Distress (BID) hosted a fashion show in the Chamberlain Student Center on Saturday, April 5. Models sashayed while wearing the all-original pieces, musicians played their hearts out, and photographers darted about to capture the event.

BID put on its annual fashion show, “Element X.” The theme was the clashing of the four elements: earth, air, fire, and water. The event was an energetic, feverish triumph as scores of artists marketed, networked, and sold their various crafts. 

Founded sometime around 2017 by then-freshman Hydia Bearfield, the club didn’t receive its charter until 2020, according to 21-year-old Amya Dickens, a senior psychology major with a minor in entrepreneurship. Since then, the presidency has changed hands many times, and for now, the job belongs to Dickens. She worked her way up from event coordinator to vice president. From there, the sky was the limit.

However, while BID may be best known for its fashion shows, the club doesn’t fit neatly into a little preconceived box.

“We definitely always try to do something with fashion, arts, or entertainment,” said Dickens. “We’ve done multiple events this year, [like] a candle-making class…our own version of the Squid Games…we did a t-shirt-making competition…a breast cancer brunch, which was very important to me…a Valentine’s Day small fashion show with three student designers…a pageant…a Met Gala…[and] thrift events.”

Along with these activities, BID also promotes positive qualities like confidence. The club hosted a workshop called “Own Your Space” earlier this year, encouraging today’s students to look up from their phones and walk into a room with confidence.

“It took [me] a while to build confidence…you don’t learn it. It’s not something people talk about,” said Dickens. “It’s not like a class you can take.”  

Though Dickens may have pulled off yet another standing-room-only event with Element X, the time to pass the torch is approaching—newly elected president Jimmy Lee will be her successor.

Lee, a sophomore majoring in the music industry, will take the helm when Dickens graduates this May. That makes this past Saturday’s event her last big fashion show. 

Although a shared love of fashion and all of its creative facets brings the group together, BID doesn’t just break down creative boundaries. It breaks down ideological ones, too.

One thing that trips people up is the misconception that BID is an all-female organization due to its fashion-forward stance.

“We definitely want to change that outlook as well [and] make it more of a gender-inclusive organization. We want events that cater to everybody and just be an inclusive and welcoming space,” said Vice President Caryn Gazama, a sophomore marketing major.

BID doesn’t just affect the members’ outlook on fashion and art. It is an all-inclusive package that leaves a lasting impression.

“[Being president] means a lot. It definitely played a big role for me,” said Lee. “I’ve been a part of BID for two years, and it’s just been a true blessing for me, and it’s been a great experience to know that I’m about to be running it…I’m just glad to be a part of the process.”

To that end, BID doesn’t work independently. The group often works with other Rowan University clubs. The two presidents agree on many things, including the importance of collaboration.

“Working with different organizations is very important,” said Dickens

“We’ve worked with Men of Color Alliance (MOCA), Women of Color Alliance (WOCA), and others,” said Lee. “We definitely work with a good amount of organizations.”

Applications for BID’s E-board will open soon. New members are always welcome to their bi-weekly meetings, no matter their race, creed, or major.

BID will be hosting its third annual Do-you-thrift-a-lot on Saturday, April 19, at 4:00 p.m. in the Eynon Ballroom. Students trade, buy, and sell their gently worn goods, so the event may strike a chord if you have an inner fashionista.

The future is bright in Lee’s and Gazama’s vision for the club. Rutgers University has a similar association, an unofficial sister chapter. The goal for the very near future is to start a multi-chapter college organization that can work together in an effort to brighten the world with artistic ventures. The operative word is “bigger.” Lee and Gazama want to have bigger fashion shows, bigger memberships, bigger sponsorships, bigger attendances, and bigger everything possible. 

“Beauty in Distress is a place for aspiring designers, artists, and entrepreneurs to hone their skills and develop their techniques and portfolios. We, as a family, collaborate with other artists and create bonds with surrounding communities to enhance our capabilities,” said Lee. “We wish to encourage fine arts and awareness and increase the art department’s presence on and off campus at Rowan…we [want] to have you express your art to us and your art to the community.”

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