Columbus--Xantha Ward’s latest fashion show included an extra layer of depth that went beyond fabric and models’ flesh.

Social consciousness added an extra dimension to her presentation on Saturday, Nov. 1, at the King Arts Complex .

“I wanted to let people know about Darfur and what’s going on in Sudan,” said Ward, 40, of the East Side.

The program introduced her spring-summer collection for 2009, which incorporates a variety of materials, some of which are recycled.

Ward’s longtime followers have witnessed the evolution of her work.

The last scene, her avant-garde collection, impressed Lisa Scott and Samara Tillman.

“When she first began she was doing denim, but now she’s taking off with different fabrics,” Scott began and Tillman finished.

Scott and Tillman also liked Ward’s inclusion of other young designers in the program, which featured styles for young and mature women of various shapes and sizes.

The show was presented mostly by and for women, but a few men, such as saxophonist Michael Branch, added their presence on stage. Other men were found in the audience.

Camau Lipscomb from South Carolina, with his spiffy attire would have fit in among the models, but he was among the observers. One of his reasons for attending the show was to see his Aunt Majeedah, one of the models. But he also took note of the fashions worn by other models.

“I like to see new material,” he said.  “A black dress with a button design really caught my eye.”