The Ellis School held a fashion showcase on Thursday, paying homage to pioneers in Black culture — playwright and author August Wilson and fashion designer Ann Lowe. Students strutted down the runway in fashions of different eras that represented each decade of Wilson’s play.

“Eras of Style: Celebrating August Wilson’s American Century Cycle” began with “Gem of the Ocean,” highlighting the 1900s and went through “Radio Golf,” representing the 1990s.

“Being part of the Ellis community as a mom and full-time event planner, it was really a wonderful experience to bring those two things together,” said event co-chair Alexis Allen. “Ensuring that our girls at Ellis recognize the footprint that so many amazing Black Americans have made in the history of our country and doing it in such a fun way — it was touching.”

This was the second year for an event of this magnitude for Black History Month at the school in Pittsburgh’s Shadyside neighborhood.

Allen moderated a panel discussion with historical fiction author Piper Huguley, who attended via Zoom and discussed her historical novel “By Her Own Design: A Novel of Ann Lowe, Fashion Designer to the Social Register.”

“I am really proud of Ellis for creating this opportunity to celebrate the late great playwright and Ann Lowe, and these girls are leaders you saw that on the stage,” said fellow Ellis parent, FashionAFRICANA founder and event co-chair Demeatria Boccella. “Introducing them to August Wilson in this capacity — they’ll never forget it.”

DJ FEMI played songs like Marvin Gaye’s “Got to Give it Up” and Lauryn Hill’s “Doo Wop” as students from kindergarten through 12th grade walked the runway.

“Black History Month is such an important month because we are focusing on telling the stories of people who have made the world a better place,” said Nosakhere Griffin-El, co-owner of The Young Dreamers’ Bookstore with his wife, Eliada. “Being at Ellis was important for me because they are teaching these young girls how to be game changers who think about changing the world.”

The Griffin-Els brought several books to sell at the event, including “Only the Best: The Exceptional Life and Fashion of Ann Lowe,” by Kate Messner; “Ablaze with Color: A Story of Painter Alma Thomas” by Jeanne Walker Harvey; and “What If …” by Samantha Berger.

“I think promoting Black-owned brands is very important as there is not a lot of representation in the media. I think it is really nice to promote Black women,” said student Taelor Spencer, 17, while representing her friend Zoi Sledge’s clothing line Intentional. “The fashion show not only showcases Ellis students and builds up their confidence, but also helps us learn about these two very notable people.”

“It’s very inspiring for me to see my best friend growing as a person and putting herself out there to create this brand that has such an encouraging message,” said student Ellie Mahoney, 16.

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