Students gathered in front of Academic Hall on Nov. 7 for the annual international fashion show, a display of cultural pride and diversity in light of International Education Month.
The international fashion show, hosted by SEMO’s Office of International Education and Services, invited students to dress in cultural clothing for the day before gathering for a runway show and group picture.
Through fabrics, colors and patterns, cultural clothing carries weight. On a diverse campus, they become more than just a form of self-expression; they become a bridge for understanding and connection between students.
International student counselor Hailey Leonard Nenninger said that school events, like the fashion show, are meant to show support for SEMO’s international students, especially at a time of uncertainty and difficulty.
“This is just a good way for us to be able to take their mind off things and to show that we’re with them, we’re together and they’re not alone,” Leonard said.
To show her support, Leonard wore a traditional garment called a kurta, commonly worn as leisure-wear in countries like Nepal, Bangladesh and India. While Leonard does not have South Asian roots, she wanted to show support for her peers and appreciation for their cultures.
“It makes me feel closer to the students,” Leonard said. “I just went to Nepal this past summer, and I met a lot of really amazing students– and wearing something like this, they get so excited. It just helps me feel connected with them, and show respect to where they come from.”
International admissions specialist Nagin Nezamipour Azari attended the show wearing a Kurdish Sekhmeh, a handmade needlework vest with intricate floral designs. For Nezamipour Azari, showing off the clothing made in her home country felt empowering.
“There’s lots of culture and lots of history back in my country, and I’m so proud to just have one of these handmade pieces,” Nezamipour Azari said.
Dressed in traditional Zimbabwean attire, junior communication disorders major Cordelia Tugwete and sophomore communication disorders major Sam Kawadza both felt that being representative of their culture meant a lot to them.
“It’s just about coming out and doing things to represent our country,” Kawadza said. “We can’t wait for people to do it for us, we have to do it ourselves.”
Tugwete felt that representation also bridged a connection between where they are and where they have come from.
“For me, it’s also just about feeling connected to home. Being away feels like we’re not from home, but we are in our traditional wear,” Tugwete said.
This sentiment reflected the broader purpose of the international fashion show and International Education Month as a whole— to give students the space to celebrate their heritage, no matter how far away they are.