International students showcase their homelands’ fashions

The Annual International Fashion Show hosted by the Furman University International Student Association (FUISA) was held the evening of Nov. 7 in McAlister Auditorium. The show has been a mainstay on campus for more than a decade.

Twenty-eight countries or territories were represented: India, Cyprus, France, Vietnam, Cameroon, Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Colombia, Germany, Pakistan, Russia, South Korea, Chile, Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, Japan, Mongolia, Jammu Kashmir (territory), Guatemala, Malawi, Venezuela, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, China, Turkey, Morocco, Nepal and Mexico.

“The point of the fashion is to celebrate the global diversity of international students at Furman,” said Dalmondeh “DD” Nayreau ’25, the FUISA president. “The show featured a sample of the international student population, which currently sits at 170 students representing 60 countries and six continents. Through the fashion show, participants share a part of their cultures with each other and with the rest of the Furman community.”

Nayreau also said the students hoped to take attendees “on a journey of fashion around the world and for them to learn about the significance of fashion (colors, fabric, or patterns) in different countries. Whether it’s the patterns on a Venezuelan dress, which represents the circle of life, the colors and patterns of the traditional attire of the Bamileke ethnic group from Cameroon, which symbolizes royalty, peace and wisdom, or the elegance and rich cultural heritage associated with the Jamdani Saree and Panjabi outfits from Bangladesh, we hope to expand people’s knowledge of the possibilities that exist with regard to global fashion beyond their own backgrounds.”

Some students brought more than a colorful outfit. Students from Cyprus, Kazakhstan and Venezuela read poetry, and students from France, Russia, China and Mongolia sang traditional songs. Other students danced.

Membership to FUISA is open to the entire Furman campus, Nayreu said. The purpose of FUISA is to build intercultural relationships by providing opportunities for international students to interact socially with each other and with US students. “We use the voice of our community to advocate for and support the needs of international students on Furman’s campus, and to raise awareness of cross-cultural exchanges.”

FUISA also hosts the annual international dance festival and annual international food festival in the spring. Events, including the fashion show, are organized by FUISA student leaders: Mridul Agrawal ’27 (vice president), Ary Prera ’27 (treasurer), Camila Vargas C. ’26 (secretary), Vanessa Amasi ’26 (creative director) and Nayreau. “We also wholeheartedly appreciate the support received from the Student Diversity Council and staff members of the Center for Interpersonal Connection. FUISA is also always open to collaborations within the Furman and Greenville communities,” Nayreau said.