September Highlights: A Month of Fashion, Culture & Community
- ucofashion
- Sep 30
- 7 min read
September was nothing short of magical. It was a month that reminded us why United Colours of Fashion (UCOF) is more than fashion. It is about creativity, culture, connection and community. From honouring the spirit of Labour Day to launching our dazzling tri-city Fall Fashion Festival, we boldly stepped into a season of identity, artistry, and unity.
Here’s a look back at the moments that made this September unforgettable.
We kicked off the month with Labour Day on September 1 by celebrating the creativity, dedication, and hard work that fuel our communities. It was also the perfect moment to launch our Impact Testimonial Reels on Instagram, shining a spotlight on the incredible voices that bring UCOF to life:
Racheal: “Volunteering with UCOF has been an incredibly exciting and fulfilling experience that allowed me to develop essential skills like flexibility, time management, and teamwork.”
Mike: “Attending my first UCOF Fashion Show in Halifax was a transformative experience.”
We also featured Peace, a gifted Nigerian designer whose breathtaking 2024 Halifax collection told a story of heritage, resilience, and new beginnings, reminding us of fashion’s power to carry culture across borders.
Fashion History Rewind
This month’s cultural spotlight took us to Japan, where the timeless Kimono continues to inspire the world with its elegance. With flowing lines, intricate artistry, and centuries of tradition, the Kimono is more than clothing—it is a symbol of pride, identity, and cultural continuity.
The 2025 UCOF Fall Fashion Festival: A Tri-City Celebration
Dieppe Edition
The season’s first showcase lit up Dieppe on September 13th with a dazzling celebration of this year’s theme: “Falling Into Identity – Layers of Us.” From bold runway looks to powerful performances, every moment embodied the spirit of creativity and storytelling.
One audience member shared: “This wasn’t just a fashion show! It felt like a journey through culture and identity. I left feeling inspired.”
Special thanks to our keynote speakers - Alison Frise of MAGMA and Phylomene Zangio of the NB Human Rights Commission as well as our incredible MCs Yetunde Adenaiya and Marina Zahinda for making the event memorable.
Our heartfelt thanks to our Greater Moncton Area partners and sponsors: Dieppe Centre for Arts and Culture, MAGMA, CULDEV+, DJ Yaji, and The Mandate Media Group for making this incredible event possible.
In case you missed the showcase, our media partner Lenspire captured the magic in this video and in the photos below by The Mandate Media Group.
Fredericton Edition
On September 20th, The Cultural Centre in Fredericton came alive with colour, creativity, and cultural pride as we hosted the UCOF Fall Fashion Festival for the third consecutive year! The evening was filled with electric runway showcases, breathtaking artistry, and heartfelt moments of connection. We were especially honoured to welcome Deputy Mayor Jocelyn Pike from the City of Fredericton and Tracy Austin of NBCCD, who joined us in celebrating this vibrant occasion.
One model reflected backstage: “Walking this runway gave me confidence I didn’t know I had. UCOF gives us more than a platform—it gives us a voice.” That spirit of empowerment echoed throughout the evening, making this edition truly unforgettable.
Our deepest gratitude goes to our Fredericton partners and sponsors: Jeff Foster, the Board and staff of The Cultural Centre, along with the City of Fredericton, Nury Franco of EXIT Realty Advantage, Victory Meat Market, and Instant Imprints, whose unwavering support made this event possible.
In case you missed the event, enjoy these stunning photos by Dwight Reimer of B&B Photography and relive the magic in this highlight video from our media team.
Saint John Edition and Grand Finale
We closed the month with an unforgettable grand finale in Saint John on September 27th at the Kent Theatre, which also marked our 5th anniversary! The presence of Councillor Mariah Darling and Lorraine Peters of The Development Academy alongside other community partners was truly a blessing.
What a spectacular event it was! From the incredible MCs Jennifer Waldshutz and Wenzu He, DJ Rossy (Kola Oshundiya) to the talented designers and models, performers, and vibrant volunteers, the energy in the room was unmatched. The venue set up by Bridget Ibukun of Elegance Events and Weddings was spectacular!
One of the designers described it best: "Thank you to the organizing committee for this wonderful program which is truly inclusive, original and creative. This festival shows the heart of Saint John at its best.” The showcase was a true reflection of UCOF’s spirit: fashion as connection, empowerment, and shared identity.
Special thanks to our Saint John sponsors and partners: The City of Saint John, Crave Lounge, Li Song of EXIT Realty, The UPS Store on Hampton Road, MST Pilates Studio, Dias De Los Muertos (La Catrina), Elegance Events and Weddings, New Marketing Today, The YMCA of Southern New Brunswick, PRUDE Inc. and Shane Cassidy of Kent Theatre for helping us bring this vision to life.
Relive the event through the stunning highlights captured by our media team and captivating photos by B&B Photography.
The Saint John edition of the festival was nothing short of spectacular, bursting to life with breathtaking performances from diverse cultural groups, each weaving their unique traditions, artistry, and stories into the UCOF stage. The Ukrainian choir and Art Lab youth brought vibrant energy, the Sudanese performers filled the room with powerful rhythms, the Latino community lit up the stage with lively expressions, and the Chinese community delivered graceful showcases that left the audience in awe. Adding to the magic, La Catrina made its final glamorous appearance, captivating the crowd with colour and symbolism.
In honour of UCOF’s 5th Anniversary, we proudly presented Marilyn Nwogu Ndubueze of One Stop Tailoring Place with the UCOF Milestone Award, recognizing her unwavering commitment and consistent stunning African-inspired designs since our very first showcase in 2021. The evening also held a touching surprise for co-founders Rufina Ajalie and Christine Eruokwu, who were presented with bouquets of flowers by our thoughtful MCs. Quite a heartfelt gesture to celebrate their milestone achievement.
The event truly embodied the spirit of UCOF— a space where diversity shines, cultures connect through creativity, and the entire community is uplifted and enriched.
A major highlight of this year’s event was the showcase, which featured Sharon Oyebode’s inspiring talk, This was followed by Emmanuel Ojodun’s powerful rap performance -The Empowered Life. The showcase also included brilliant performances by David Ojodun and Shilomide Odunlami, leaving the audience energized and deeply moved. Through the Empowered Strides program, more youth are finding their voice, building their confidence and embracing their cultural heritage with pride.
A standout moment of this year’s festival was the Empowered Strides showcase, a vibrant celebration of youth voice and creativity. Sharon Oyebode set the tone with her thought-provoking and inspiring talk, "Who are you?", challenging the audience to reflect on identity and self-worth. The energy soared as Emmanuel Ojodun took the stage with his electrifying rap performance - The Empowered Life, delivering a message of confidence and purpose. Adding more brilliance, David Ojodun and Shilomide Odunlami captivated the crowd with powerful performances that left everyone energized and deeply moved.
Through Empowered Strides, young people are not only stepping onto the stage but also stepping into their power—finding their voices, building confidence, and embracing their cultural heritage with pride. This showcase reminded us all of the transformative role art and performance play in shaping the next generation of leaders and changemakers.
We extend our deepest appreciation to the incredible organizing committee, whose dedication, creativity, and countless hours of hard work made this year’s UCOF Fall Fashion Festival such a resounding success. From planning to execution, every detail was handled with passion and excellence. Our heartfelt thanks also go to our talented MCs, whose energy and charisma kept the audience engaged, and to our amazing DJs, who set the perfect tone with music that brought the shows to life. A special shoutout to all our guests across the three cities for showing up to support the event. Together, you created an atmosphere of joy, unity, and celebration, and we couldn’t have done it without you.
The UCOF Fall Fashion Festival may have come to a close, but the spotlight on our brilliant designers and fashionpreneurs is only just beginning. These are not just brands, but bold visionaries shaping the social, cultural, and economic future of our region. Their creativity deserves more than applause; it deserves your continued support and patronage. By investing in their work, we are not only celebrating style but also strengthening the vibrant fabric of our community. Let’s keep the momentum alive and champion these incredible talents well beyond the runway.
Connect with them today on our webpage and support their entrepreneurial journey until we showcase them again next year!
We were honoured to partner with Fabiola Martinez, the organizers of Día de los Muertos to showcase La Catrina at this year’s tri-city UCOF Fall Fashion Festival to promote the Día de los Muertos festival! It was an absolute please working with the three face paint artists who gave La Catrina a different look in each city!
Día de los Muertos is a vibrant Mexican tradition that beautifully celebrates art, culture, and community while honouring those who came before us. Rooted in diversity and inclusion, it aligns deeply with UCOF’s vision of creating spaces where all cultures can shine.
We encourage our UCOF family and the wider community to join this year’s celebration on Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 6–10 PM at Area 506 in Saint John. With free admission, it promises to be an inspiring evening that adds even more colour and vibrancy to the cultural fabric of our city. For more details, visit the official page at www.diadelosmuertossj.com.
Gratitude & Looking Ahead
We are beyond grateful to our incredible sponsors, partners, and funders who made this year’s UCOF Festival possible, especially the Government of New Brunswick, ArtsNB, Foundations for Black Communities and The Mandate Media Group. Your support helps us celebrate fashion, creativity, and culture on a larger stage every year. We couldn’t have done it without you — thank you for believing in our vision and empowering our community.
With September setting such a vibrant tone, the 2025 UCOF Fall Fashion Festival came to a close in spectacular style. Each city, each runway, and each performance reminded us that fashion is more than style—it is identity, unity, and creativity in motion. As we look ahead, UCOF remains committed to creating spaces where diversity is celebrated, newcomers are empowered, and communities thrive through artistry and connection.
