The HOME Refugee Steering Committee at the Lynden Sculpture Garden invites you to observe WORLD REFUGEE DAY in a series of outdoor events and programs that celebrate Milwaukee's refugee communities through art, food, fashion, and performance.
HOME Fashion Day: THIS IS US uses fashion to showcase the rich and varied cultures of refugees within the local community. THIS IS US will consist of five different segments: traditional cultural wear, contemporary wear, everyday wear, outfits styled and designed by refugees, and a surprise segment at the end.
The fashion show will be followed by two participatory activities. For the first time this year, we will host a Try + Exchange. For the Try, we invite you to try on some of the traditional clothes that we will have available for that purpose. For the Exchange, you are invited to bring a cultural or traditional item or piece of clothing to exchange with someone else. By the end of the event, we hope that you will have added to your wardrobe and had a meaningful exchange with someone from another culture.
HOME Fashion Day is once again organized by Biak Tha Hlawn, Chin youth leader, HOME Refugee Steering Committee member, and now an undergraduate at Stanford University and Lynden’s HOME intern. According to Hlawn, “THIS IS US aims to showcase, through fashion, what makes us who we are as refugees.” As emcee, Hlawn will present and share the cultural meanings behind each garment worn.
Members of the public are encouraged to wear at least one ornament or piece of clothing highlighting their own culture or traditions--specifically ones that make you feel you! Don’t forget to bring an item or two to partake in the Exchange part of the show.
Beginning at 12:30 pm, Burmese food will be available for donation. Proceeds benefit the grassroots efforts for the Myanmar democracy movement (so don’t forget to bring cash!).
About HOME
HOME is the theme of our work with refugee community leaders, community members, Call & Response artists, and allies. The HOME Refugee Steering Committee is building a space of leading, coming together, and celebrating refugees.
For all HOME 2022 programming, click here.