Wearing Who We Are: A UW Community Fashion Expo

Wearing Who We Are is an invitation to all University of Washington students, alumni, faculty, staff, their friends and family, and the broader arts community of Seattle to join us at the Henry for an afternoon of fashion-focused conviviality centering QTBIPOC creators. And of course, you’re invited to wear your favorite outfit! 

Inspired by the potency of transformation and the communal qualities of Raúl de Nieves: A window to the see, a spirit star chiming in the wind of wonder…, visitors are invited to join us beneath de Nieves’s monumental “stained glass” windows to be in community with, and celebrate, each other through a social and creative fashion exposition!

This program is in-collaboration with University of Washington student organizations Modality and Indigenous Students of Latin America, as well as emerging fashion designers and recent grads Elena Qiu and Archie Sugiyama, accompanied by live models wearing their designs!  

Throughout the afternoon, visitors will have the opportunity to celebrate and consider self-expression while enjoying participatory activities facilitated by our collaborators. They seek to activate the exhibition’s qualities of transformation, narrative, and celebration by centering QTBIPOC creators, LGBTQIA+ communities, and our interwoven relations.

2 PM: Opening Remarks + Mini-Fashion Show
2:30 - 3:50 PM: Fashion Expo with drop-in art-making activities
4 PM: Closing Remarks

Wearing Who We Are: A UW Community Fashion Expo is the Community Engagement Project of 2023 - 2024 Henry Art Liaison Interns Kae Yu, Sorel Nica, and Sven Holmgren and advised by Danielle Khleang, Programs Manager.

Indigenous Students of Latin America’s (ISLA)mission is to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment for Indigenous students and allies as a registered student organization at the University of Washington. ISLA is committed to ensuring their visibility within the campus community and extending outreach beyond the club's boundaries.

Modality is a University of Washington registered student organization centering LGBTQ+ identified BIPOC students interested in creative work. Modality is committed to fostering community and uplifting the work of QTBIPOC creatives. They host vendor fairs, free art workshops, mutual aid fairs, social events, and more for the community!

Elena Qiu A fashion design creative who specializes in creating avant-garde custom clothing, Qiu finds everything is an experiment, from deconstructed looks with ruffles to plaster covered garments. Qiu aims to encourage people to express themselves freely, even if it means to challenge conformity. 

Archie Sugiyama is a Seattle-based artist working in concept art, character design, fashion design, digital illustration, and music. His work uses the lens of intersectionality to focus on the experiences of people with overlapping marginalized identities. He aims to connect underrepresented audiences through shared experiences using visual metaphors with references to pop culture. Sugiyama is also a drummer in the punk band Gender Envy. As an active member of the local music scene, he produces live music events with the goal of uplifting local DIY and QTBIPOC artists. Sugiyama's art practice is dedicated to his community.