Fashion with multicultural flavor

Celebration a showcase for refugee, immigrant artisans

Music, dancing and fashion with a multicultural flavor will be on show at the Cultural Fusion Fashion Celebration.

The fundraising event is produced by New Mexico Women’s Global Pathways and will display clothing, accessories and bags designed and crafted by refugees and immigrants from many countries, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Chad, Congo and Central African Republic. The charity event will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 15, at the Albuquerque Museum, 2000 Mountain NW.

Global Pathways is a volunteerdriven organization founded in 2009 by African and Asian women who wanted to give women and families that seek refuge in Albuquerque opportunities to become self-sufficient. The organization offers English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, and teaches gardening and crafts like sewing, crochet and beading.

The event gives the artisans an opportunity to showcase and sell their work.

There will be light hors d’oeuvres, a raffle, music by DJ 12 Tribe and dance performances by BASADE (Bells and Shakers African Dance Ensemble with Rujeko Dumbutshena), and Flamenco dancer Andrea Isabella Sanchez. Artists will be on site making art for sale and a massage therapist will be offering free massages. Tips and ticket proceeds will go to benefit Global Pathways.

The organization is hoping to expand its mission and needs new computers and software to teach ESL and basic computer skills. A big need is a van to help provide transportation to the center at the Los Altos Christian Church near Juan Tabo and Indian School.

Tickets are $50 and can be purchased from the Global Pathways website: womensglobalpathways.com.

COURTESY OF WORLDWIDEUNDERGROUND.COM Women pick out fabrics for the outfits that will be displayed at the Cultural Fusion Fashion Celebration on Jan. 15 at the Albuquerque Museum. The event is organized by New Mexico Women’s Global Pathways.