MILWAUKEE — Mount Mary University was ranked number one in the Midwest for successful outcomes in graduating diverse and low-income students.
Some students are showcasing that diversity through their work in the university’s fashion program.
Mako Shidad is a senior who expresses herself and her African culture through her designs.
“A lot of the times we share culture through food, but in this case I get to share culture through fabric,” said Shidad.
Shidad, who hails from Kenya, said she’s always had a love for art. She said she makes sure her fashion pieces reflect her home.
She said she’s learned so much through the fashion program at Mount Mary. She said it’s important to her to have the opportunity to share with other students the culture that means so much to her.
Senior Asma Dasan is also representing her Palestinian culture with her designs.
“If we don’t understand each other, we can maybe look at each other’s art, fashion, food and just learn about each other more and respect each other more,” said Dasan.
She said her inspiration came from her grandmother, who overcame many challenges.
“She started a whole new beginning and that’s exactly what I did here,” she said. “I started all the way from zero, did my research and tried to find out who I am in this whole story.”
She said making these fashion pieces helps her find her sense of identity.
Shidad also said Mount Mary’s fashion program has helped her find her purpose in creating art.
“I realized that fashion was the one thing that I could contribute to the world that could still keep me spiritually in tune with Islam as well as with my creative side,” said Shidad.
Both students said they hope their work impacts anyone who comes across it and that it helps to tell their stories for days to come.