“AIDS Ends Here" Benefit Fashion Show inspires Mason students to make a difference

Students at Mason lended a helping hand by showcasing designer clothes for the AIDS Ends Here fashion show to benefit AIDS/HIV research in Swaziland (photo courtesy of Sha'Air Hawkins).

The stage was set in Dewberry Hall as director Johnetta Saygbe sat with the events production staff discussing the order of the show. The lights flickered on and off casting red, blue and yellow lights onto the stage. Nerves and excitement flooded the space as everyone prepared for the first annual “AIDS Ends Here” benefit fashion show.

“I’m excited more than anything, I just want the audience to understand why we’re participating in this show how important it is,” said Nyah Collier, a sophomore, pre-nursing major who has participated in previous Mason fashion shows, such as the “Red Alert: Work the Runway Fashion Show” held in December. 

Students showcased designer fashions to raise funds and awarness of HIV/AIDS reserach (photo courtesty of Sha'air Hawkins).

Sponsored by the GMU chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers, (NSBE) and the Baylor International Pediatric AIDS Initiative (BIPAI), the fashion show was created to raise money and awareness for the children of Swaziland, a small country located in southern Africa, diagnosed with HIV/AIDS.

Swaziland currently has the highest number of people suffering HIV in the world. As the HIV epidemic spreads, there are more efforts to bring hope to the children of Swaziland and provide funds for surgeries, medications and tools to help reduce the outbreak.

“It’s about these kids,” said Calil Davis, a freshman and first-time participant in a Mason fashion show. “These kids are born into something that they have no control over.” Researching the Swaziland HIV/AIDS epidemic, Davis and fellow models found this show much more beneficial and worthwhile than other fashion shows. 

Much like Davis, students participating in the show believe that helping out the children of Swaziland is much more than an act of kindness, but an act of love.

“It makes me feel like I’m doing something and playing my part in this, whether it’s money or my time, a sacrifice out of love should be made,” said Yasmine Cook, a neuroscience major and model in the show that has found more of a passion for raising  awareness of HIV/AIDS.

“It’s becoming more and more important – so important that we have to take notice,” Cook added.

The vision for this fashion show was stemmed from the director of the show. Johnetta Saygbe’s inspiration was to create an event in which students felt the urgency to show their love for someone they may not know through giving time, money, and support to help with something  bigger than them – specifically with a project to help the children in Swaziland.

“I had the opportunity to meet these kids, and I was in awe of their spirit. I wanted to contribute and give back the joy and love they gave me,” said Saygbe.

As the show ended, Dewberry filled with rounds of applause as the members of the NSBE executive board took  the stage. Bashfully, Saygbe and her team welcomed the applause, before their closing remarks.

“The only thing that separates us from the kids in Swaziland is this awful disease,” said Saygbe, at the fashion show’s closing. “They have hope and joy, I can’t imagine waking up everyday with this disease and still having my joy – and these kids have that,” said Saygbe. “I hope you all were able to capture a piece of their hope with your donations and your time – thank you,” said Saygbe.