International Fashion Show at Manchester offers ‘The World from A to Z’ 

NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. -- See the world from A to Z at Manchester University as students model clothes from all over the world.

The students will model traditional and modern attire while emcees recite tales about the cultures and garments during “The International Fashion Show: The World from A to Z.” U.S. prom attire will also be featured.

The program is 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18, in Cordier Auditorium on the North Manchester campus.
Audience members are welcome to sit down, relax and enjoy the beautiful colors or get up and dance to the beat as participants perform dances from their respective cultures.   

“Even in the small town of North Manchester with 6,000 residents, we have a strong representation from around the world,” said Michael Dixon, director of Intercultural Services and international student advisor at MU. “Manchester has a history of an international consciousness and this is just another manifestation of that.”

Dixon, who helped organize the event, talked about what the show will be like.  “We're doing walks, wardrobe changes. The show is going to look more like a play. With the increasing number of international students on campus, there’s an excitement to attending the International Fashion Show. We’re hoping people are going to see that.”

Student Mariam Aly Ibrahim, special assistant in the Office of Multicultural Affairs, said she is excited to bring different parts of the world to Manchester. “This year, we have about 17 different countries represented in the show. Our volunteers have been working hard and I can’t wait for us to share this experience with everyone on campus and the North Manchester community.”

Arpan Paul, a first-year environmental studies major from Kolkata, India, will model his native clothing. “Everything is new here. I’m proud to share my culture with everyone and excited to learn about other people’s cultures. The cultural interchange will enrich the memories of my life,” he said.

The program sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Affairs, also aims to promote awareness and fight cultural stereotypes. The event is part of the Values, Ideas and the Arts series designed to offer students cultural exposure, artistic experience and intellectual enrichment.

“Manchester is a welcoming place for diversity and we want to show that to the community and provide that experience of different cultures. It’s exciting to see every model learn about the clothes they’re modeling and having fun while doing it,” said Miriam Cruz, a senior psychology major from Summit, Ill.

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Contact: Office of Multicultural Affairs
oma@manchester.edu

About Manchester University
Manchester University, with campuses in North Manchester and Fort Wayne, Ind., offers more than 60 areas of academic study to 1,600 students in undergraduate programs, a Master of Athletic Training, a Master of Pharmacogenomics and a four-year professional Doctor of Pharmacy.  Learn more about the private, northern Indiana school at www.manchester.edu.

November 2016