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Tihitina
Mekete Dagnew of Ethiopia
and Ha
Phan of Vietnam
International Fashion Show on Dec. 1
Celebrates Manchester’s diversity
The
tailor of Tihitina Mekete Dagnew’s dress used traditional wood tools to
hand-craft the intricate gold designs on her traditional Ethiopian
“abesha kemise.” The beautiful dress is perfect for formal occasions,
weddings – and Manchester College’s annual International Fashion Show.
“It
takes a lot of time, as it requires precision and finesse” to create the
uniquely Ethiopian outfit, noted Dagnew, a first-year student from
tropical Addis Ababa, as she shivers in the Midwest fall. She will join
students in modeling native clothing from at least 17 countries for the
annual Fashion Show, which begins at 7 p.m. this Friday, Dec. 1 in
Wampler Auditorium.
The show celebrates the
diversity of Manchester College, which this semester has drawn almost 5
percent of its students from 27 countries. “We hope we can help to
develop an international awareness in the community, and we hope we can
help our students realize there is a world outside campus,” said
Jacquilline Nagila, director of multicultural services and
campus diversity. She will
wear a colorful hand-made outfit from her native land of Kenya.
Students will model traditional clothing from around the globe – the
Philippines, India, Mexico, Nicaragua and Japan to Nigeria, Afghanistan,
Uganda, Malaysia, Palestine, Guatemala, Ecuador, China, Indonesia,
Panama … and North America.
The
design junior Ha Phan of Vietnam will model is very special – tailored
for her when she was home in Ha Noi last summer. Her ao dai is modified
from the traditional long skirted dress for very special occasions. “The
traditional one has a high neck and even sleeves; mine has a boat neck
and diagonal sleeves,” she said.
The
Office of Multicultural Affairs is using the fashion show as an
opportunity to raise awareness about how AIDS affects society.
Free-will contributions and donated canned goods will go to the Fort
Wayne-based Aids Task Force, which serves 11 counties in northeast
Indiana.
Music
and refreshments also are on the program, with donations from many
generous community businesses.
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