Fashion Show Gives Globalization a New Meaning

At 7 p.m. on May 1, 2009, the International Student Organization will hold its 5th annual spring fashion show in Doyle Formal to raise money for charity; the annual show started in 2004 when the organization first assembled.

There will be an assortment of ethnic foods and entertainment. "Since my freshman year, there has been a fashion show," ISO President Joy Weems said. Fliers first appeared for the show during the International Women's Day celebration on March 17, 2009, as well as a sign-up sheet in order for participants and interested parties to give their contact information.

Every year the ISO tries to raise awareness about a particular cause; this year they've chosen Heifer International. According to the cause's website, Heifer International is a non-profit organization whose goal is to help end world hunger and poverty. Last year, the show raised awareness for human trafficking.

According to ISO Vice President Sherryn Daniel, "We got the idea from Rika our advisor and what they are is an organization where individuals can make donations of food. Your purchase will go towards buying for a family in a Third World country. The mission is to end world hunger and poverty. We felt it was a great cause and the help is international."

This year's sponsor is Rika Shwarma, the event coordinator for the English Language Institute. "ISO is planning the whole event but Rika is overseeing everything we are doing. We planned everything ahead of time so there wouldn't be as many problems like last year. Last year was way too rushed, jumbled and too problematic. We want to have a smooth sailing this year," Daniel said.

"Unlike last year, this year's show has various officers taking care of particular portions [of the show]. Shoshana Isaac and Sherryn Daniel are taking care of advertising and promoting, Sherryn reserves rooms, I'm establishing practice times, and Sherryn, Charrise Brown and I will be budgeting the event," Weems said.

Shoshana Isaac is the publicity chair that established the sign up sheets and flyers, however, according to Weems, Isaac isn't actually an officer, she is simply lending a hand and offering her service to ISO. Charrise Brown is the treasurer and has helped with establishing the budget, as well as helping finding talent.

"I help scout talent, garner models and assemble bits and pieces of the show. All of the board members do a little bit of everything but Rika is guiding everyone, and gives us a heads up to see if we are doing everything right," Daniel said.

Last year, the fashion show consisted of two segments. The first segment included an assortment of dance and songs in addition to the fashion show. There was an hour intermission for the international food fest. Following the second segment was the talent show and an educational forum.

This year it will be a collection of talent and modeling. It will be broken up with an opening number, followed by modeling and talent, and some final talent pieces. However, "This may adjust when we see how much talent we are working with relative to the number of models we have," Weems said.

"What's different about this and last year is we will actually have food this year," Daniel said. "We will serve multi-cultural dishes from Asian, Latin and European nations. Sage catering is really good so we expect fine hor deurves at this event," Daniel said. "The original version was a bit pricy; SAGE is thinking of alternatives to bring the cost down," Weems said.

Discussing this year's lineup, Daniel said that "We are still going to have a fashion show, of course. We are also going to have a belly dancing troupe, Spanish dances and a performance from a young up and coming Baltimore musician."