Last Wednesday evening, the International Student Association at SFA hosted the third annual Fashions of the World event to share different cultures and celebrate diversity.
According to Giovanny Barberis, Quito, Ecuador, senior, the idea for the fashion show came about in the fall of 2007, when he and a group of international students wanted to find a unique way of displaying world culture.
"We all agreed that we wanted to share our culture through something other than food, so we thought traditional outfits was a great way of doing it," Barberis said.
All of the clothes in the show were provided by international students, as well as the Muslim Student Association.
"Many of the students bring the outfits with them when they first come to SFA, as a way of remaining close to their country and traditions," Barberis explained. "Also, some have their outfits mailed to them from home for the show."
There were more than 20 countries from all over the globe represented in the show, ranging from Vietnam to Spain.
Barberis and the other students involved began preparing early in the semester for the show. After the ideas and concepts for the show were discussed, students who were interested in modeling were tracked down.
"After our team was set up, we began looking for outfits and models," Barberis said. "Although most people model their own outfits, some required additional models."
Rehearsals began three weeks prior to the show, where the presentations of individual countries were worked on and perfected. "After this we had an open rehearsal where we teach them basic modeling, and start putting the order for the show together," Barberis said.
The countries represented in the show include: China, Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia, India, England, France, Norway, Spain, Nigeria, Senegal, Liberia, Kenya, Cameroon, Antigua, Mexico, Ecuador and the United States.
