USU hosts first Multicultural Fashion Show
Models in traditional regalia ranging from Latin to Ghanaian culture worked their way down the runway at Utah State University’s first Multicultural Fashion Show on Nov. 6 at the Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art. The event, hosted by the Black Student Union, aimed to highlight the diverse fashion and heritage within USU’s student body.
“We wanted to find a way to bring the culture that does exist here on campus to the surface,” said Tyaira Mackay, BSU student outreach member. “We wanted them to know that we’re here, we see you and we appreciate you.”
The event invited a variety of different cultural groups from both on and off campus to attend and showcase the unique fashion that represents their communities. Models were asked to choose the outfits they wanted to wear in the show from their own wardrobes.
“We just told them, ‘We want to see your culture,’” Mackay said. “They got to do it in a way that was most representative of them and what their culture looks like for them.”
The LatinX Student Union, the Association of Latino Professionals for America and the Ghanaian Student Association were some of the campus groups asked to participate. Guests were treated to walks from models in Latin quinceañera dresses, Ghanaian smocks, Tongan tapa cloths and more.
Dane Johnson / The Utah Statesman Tyaira Mackay introduces a group of people representing the Black Student Union at the fashion show.
The show also asked cultural clubs outside of USU to attend and walk, including the Ohana Association from Weber State University.
“We wanted to bring in other schools for the opportunity to maybe make this a bigger thing in the future where more universities and more clubs can collaborate together,” Mackay said.
Dancing was also highlighted in the show, and students from USU’s Latin Dance Club and Weber’s Ohana Association were invited to perform traditional dances between walks.
Ilaisaane Toa, a model and dancer from the Ohana Association, said her outfit and performance were representations of celebration and thanks.
“The dance I did was a Tongan Tau’olunga,” Toa said. “They’re usually performed by women, and it’s a way to represent the village, where you’re from and your family. It’s also a way to honor those who you’re performing for.”
Other models shared similar sentiments, saying their outfits are often worn for cultural celebrations and each of them has an important historical significance.
“I loved seeing the diversity and learning new things,” Toa said. “Even though we’re all so different, I think there is unity in diversity.”
Attendees at the show agreed, many saying how grateful they are for multicultural and diverse events on campus like this one.
“When I was in high school, it was a lot more multicultural than it is up here, so I really appreciate events like this,” said Ariana Garcia Hernandez, a USU student and member of ALPFA. “I think it’s really beautiful when we get to see parts of other people’s cultures because that’s a huge part of their identity so it’s a great way to get to know them.”
Event attendees also shared the fashion show gave them an opportunity to learn about and appreciate cultures outside of their own.
“It’s important for everyone to tap into their own culture and to branch out into other cultures,” said Yasmin Lovatoayala, a USU student and ALPFA member. “If you’re curious or just wondering what kind of things go on within a culture, coming to events like these is a great way to do that.”
Mackay said one of her favorite parts of the event was when all of the models walked the runway one last time together.
“Once the models did their last walk, the audience was cheering them on and everyone seemed so excited to see this thing come together,” Mackay said. “I think seeing how much potential we have here for this to be a bigger thing and to include more people is really motivational.”
According to Mackay, the BSU hopes to host more fashion shows like this one in the future to further promote diversity on campus.
“I think because Utah is such a specific type of place and because it is so far away from everything, you don’t get to see stuff like this very often,” Mackay said. “There’s beauty in language and culture and expression, and I think it’s so important that we give people a space to share that in a way that’s constructive.”
Mackay said proceeds for ticket sales will go back into supporting the BSU and the other clubs who helped participate.
“The BSU is here to support everybody, and we just want to give people the space to be themselves and express their cultures,” Mackay said. “If things like this didn’t exist, we wouldn’t have the opportunity to be exposed to other cultures in this type of way.”