Fashion all around the world varies as it embodieses different cultures and religious beliefs. Some people grow up in places where they feel like they’re the only ones expressing their culture through their styles and accessories.

Rachna Chandra, a Michigan fashion designer based in Farmington Hills inspires others all over the globe by expressing her Indian culture through her designs. While Chandra was in France for Paris fashion week, she explained how very colorful Indian culture is. The colors are intense and they definitely stand out in comparison to other designers.

“People who are non-Indian and still want to get a feel for Indian culture and fabrics, can very happily wear these designs and feel great in them,” Chandra said.

Mario Hanna ’23 believes his Arabic culture is significant to his personal style.

“There’s a part of my culture where we wear a necklace with our name on it, usually for girls, but guys do it too sometimes,” Hanna said. “It’s usually a pendant or Arabic letters to signify their name.”

Chandra furtherdiscussed how she incorperates religion into her designs in adittion to her cultural backround. For her, it’s all about fully embracing her culture while still making sure that she’s accommodating to what everyone is looks for in a brand.

“Indian brides typically use red tones, but nowadays brides like to explore even white,” Chandra said. “Especially when there is a Christian ceremony, they like to have different color options.”

Stevan Musicki ’23 said he also wears a bracelet to represent his Serbian background. According to Musicki, this bracelet represents his religion as being an Orthodox Christian. The bracelet is from a monastery in Montenegro that makes prayer beads.

“You say a prayer and then go to the next bead, and it’s supposed to calm you down and make you feel more in touch with God,” Musicki said. “I like to wear it to be reminded of my culture.”

According to Musicki and Hanna, they both agree that the meaning behind their accessories isn’t restricted to people of their culture or religion. They seee someone wearing something unique to their culture, as an opportunity to educate others on where they come from.

“I wouldn’t mind other people wearing it because I would love to see the cultural representation,” Hanna said.