Francis Lewis HS
Fashion Fusion Show

Experience the harmony of cultures on the runway at our Fashion Fusion Show

This captivating event blended the rich tapestry of diverse traditions, fabrics, and styles worldwide into a mesmerizing display of global fashion. Witness the beautiful fusion of colors, patterns, and designs that transcend borders, celebrating unity and diversity in every stitch.

Mission of the project

Our mission is twofold: to bridge the gap between cultures through the universal language of fashion and to champion sustainability by repurposing clothing.

We celebrate the beauty of diversity by seamlessly blending traditional and contemporary elements from various cultures into innovative and inclusive collections, all while emphasizing the importance of reimagining and repurposing clothing for a more sustainable future.

Ms. Vaggelas (center), Ms. Guzman (right), and student designers and models.

Through this fusion of cultures and commitment to eco-conscious fashion, we aim to promote cultural understanding, appreciation, unity, and a greener world, all on the vibrant canvas of our runway.

Inspiration from

Ms. Penelope Vaggelas

Project Lead

"Wherever people come from or wherever people go, people’s culture and therefore identity is in constant evolution, a change that looks back and forward in history.

For this reason, cross cultural fashion fusion is a blend not just between different areas of the globe, but of the ideologies and motivations associated with each region's people.

It is important to remember that fashion is not just a factor of image and appearance; it is our individual way of stating who we are and what we want, and this is often only possible using combinations of different styles. "

Special thanks to

Dr. Eugenia Paulicelli

PhD/Professor at Queens College & The Graduate Center, CUNY and Founder and Director of Fashion Studies at Graduate Center, CUNY

In recognition of her exceptional gift to our students - her expertise in bringing the concept of the 'Fabric of Cultures' to life, we celebrate her with deep gratitude.

Through her wisdom and passion, she has woven threads of knowledge that have broadened our students' horizons and inspired them to embrace the beauty of diversity.

Her commitment to nurturing a more inclusive and culturally aware generation is truly deserving of this honor. We extend our heartfelt appreciation and look forward to continued collaboration in our shared educational journey.

For more information:

https://thefabricofcultures.com/

https://eugeniapaulicelli.com/

Design by Liyang Z, Junkai Chen, Yun He Chen, and Arthur Lin

Japan and Russia

A Haori is a japanese traditional jacket with a loose fit. The style is blended with the style of the Sui coat also known as Jinbaon, a short sleeveless coat worn by Samurai over their armor for protection. The hand drawn design of fire you see on the center of the garment, is inspired by Russian traditional clothing as a symbol for blood and fire which shows the energy flow between nature and people.

Design by Senyi Yu, Xinwang Sun, and Chang Hao Li

China and Buddhism

Jiasha is the tradition of Buddhist clothes. Its original shape is a rectangular fabric that is worn over a long one-piece, cross-collar robe known as zhiduo. The color red is common in Chinese culture, especially among the Chinese Buddhist monks.

Design by Shuting, Xinrui, Ying Sun, Ruiying Wa, Wanhua Peng, and Xinyan Ki

Ancient China and Modern China

This design is a fashion collaboration between Traditional Chinese clothing and Urban Chinese clothing with patterns inspired by the Ancient Chinese Ming Dynasty.

The T-shirt was cut into a crop top and the bottom of the T-shirt was made into a skirt. On the skirt, you can see the design inspired by the “Blue vases” period during the Ming Dynasty carefully painted on with watercolors. On the back of the skirt is a baby blue ribbon tied in the back.