Strike a Pose—Celebrating Culture on the Runway
On Saturday March 21st, 2026, the University of Windsor’s very own Croatian Club put on a very special and unique event: a cultural fashion show held at the Croatian St. Francis of Assisi church.
Pictured: Instagram post from uwincroclub advertising the event.
The event took place on a cool Saturday evening in the lower level of the church, of which the courtyard featured religious statues, and a patriotic sign in the parking lot across the main entrance. Inside, volunteers for the club were preparing for a gorgeous night showcasing the beauty of the humble Balkan country, specifically the traditional clothing.
Pictured: a statue in the courtyard of the church.
Pictured: A sign for the church parking lot.
After either presenting or purchasing their tickets at the door, show goers were directed downstairs, where several displays awaited them. Food tables, raffle stations, and mini museum exhibits highlighted Croatian trinkets, history, and fashion, setting the tone for an immersive and passionate cultural experience.
Pictured: Croatian history showcases
The event started with a bilingual greeting to show goers (Croatian and English) expressing gratitude for their presence and their excitement for the event. The show proceeded, beginning with the presenter's introducing pairs of models, each one dressed beautifully in handmade Croatian clothing, all of which were made with locally sourced materials. The presenters described the event as a walk-through Croatian history; each pair of models was accompanied by a verbal look into the Balkan country, via showcases of the agriculture, societal norms, and heritage.
Pictured: a pair of female models walking down the runway together, taken from the uwincroclub Instagram page.
Each pair of models represented a different region of Croatia fashion-wise, with the presenters highlighting each feature of the outfits that made them differ so greatly from each other, whether it was the materials used to make the clothing, the types of garments (pants or skirts, shoes or boots, etc.) or the function of each piece.
Pictured: Models doing one last walkthrough at the end of the show, taken from the uwincroclub Instagram page.
By the end of the show, each audience member was exposed, whether for the first time or not, to the beauty that Croatia holds. The event was more than just a fashion show; it served as a reminder of the multiculturalism that the city of Windsor has to offer. It is not at all difficult to see that Windsor is extremely diverse, and culture-specific events, whether for purely entertainment or educational purposes, are not uncommon, but always welcome.
Croatia is a country with little fanfare, yet it possesses a beauty that is tragically overlooked. However, organizations like the UWindsor Croatian Club work to draw attention to causes that are important but underappreciated. Windsor’s well-anchored reputation as a culturally diverse city makes it easier to spotlight places that don’t receive as much attention as they deserve. Hosting something as unique as a fashion show that showcases not only clothing, but tradition and heritage, is an excellent way to celebrate multiculturalism both in the streets and on campus.