Project: Canada Day Multicultural Fashion Show
Educator Lorraine Brown used her Spring 2024 Matchmaker MicroGrant for the Canada Day Multicultural Fashion Show, a highlight of Malton BIA’s free Canada Day Celebrations at Westwood Square in Malton.
The fashion show celebrated Mississauga’s 50th anniversary by highlighting Canada’s rich cultural heritage. The show included characteristically Canadian plaid fashions, as well as fashions influenced by waves of immigration and multiculturalism, all handcrafted by Lorraine.
The 27 models, including several students from Ascension of Our Lord Secondary School, were chosen to emphasize the importance of representation and visibility in our community. Their participation aimed to inspire participants and other youth to see themselves reflected in the vibrant diversity of Mississauga and beyond.
This grant allowed me to make Mississauga’s 50th Anniversary a grand event on Canada Day. I was able to showcase ideas and designs with a youth focus and collaboration to celebrate Canadian culture and to represent the rich and diverse cultural backgrounds of our community members in Malton. The props added to the authenticity of the show and our community members were excited to cheer on our youth and teens and learn more about Canadian culture. Most importantly, this show provided youths with the visibility, representation, and hopefully, opportunities needed to thrive and succeed.
We look forward to working with you again in the future to add more costumes, content and collaborators to this wonderful community event.
Lorraine Brown
